The recent branding change of the ITV logo has got the world talking, and it's a key signal that ITV moves with the times. The world of television as well as the new digital mediums that exist around it have to change rapidly in order to meet the needs of the increasingly media-hungry consumer. The industry is crying out for candidates who understand the complexity of media production, both in the pure sense of creating a TV programme to the disciplines required across broadcast technology and online.
Get a Media Production Degree
Some roles, like that of a camera operator or TV presenter, are less reliant on formal educational training, and there are plenty of media jobs where work experience counts for more than "a piece of paper". With media production, however, the discipline is so broad (including not only production techniques but copyright, for example) that a degree or relevant qualification will be one of the first things your prospective employer may look for.
Media production is a flourishing industry, but all UK sectors are feeling the pinch of recession – a degree (and, specifically, one in media production) is to your distinct advantage. It looks good on your CV, because it shows you've invested in media production as a career. It's good for your portfolio, because you'll have worked on projects throughout your degree that can be showcased. It's also good for your networking – the more projects you get involved with, the more research you do, the more you'll meet people that increase your career's social sphere.
What to Expect from a Media Production Degree
Yes, you'll learn the essentials of radio, television and single-camera production. However, the media producers of tomorrow need to be well-versed in design, animation and digital media from photography and imaging to beyond.
With content sharing so prevalent in today's media consumption, a degree will inform you in all aspects of sharing creative content across distribution platforms – including copyright, royalty and payment structures. It may not seem very creative, but this aspect of media production is vital, whether you're working on a short film with friends or on a big-budget television franchise.
You will be assessed in your degree through a combination of project work, examinations and coursework.
Entry Requirements for a Degree in Media Production
Depending on the institution you apply to, your entry requirements for a relevant degree will vary between 120 and 280 UCAS points.
Career Roles Associated with a Media Production Degree
Competition will be fierce, but your degree will give you a grounding in the very latest aspects of the discipline. It will set you in good stead to apply for a broad range of roles including producer, edit producer and digital and creative producers. If you weren't sure which discipline to specialise in at the start of your degree, you'll certainly know which area you're most attuned to by the time you leave.
Increase Your Experience, Build Your CV
Keep practising. Get the software you need, bookmark the online learning resources and relevant website you love, and keep at it. You will always find someone to work with. You will always find something new to learn. You may be an undergraduate, a postgraduate, or looking for another role or in between jobs. Regardless of your current status in the job market, you should be looking to expand your CV and your social network… and that means you never, ever stop.
You want production credits, and the way to do that is to participate in projects. Media production degrees offer built-in experience as you'll always be required to work on a project. In addition, network with colleagues, or use search engines and social media to your advantage to see what projects are out there that you could contribute to.
Don't be shy of offering your time for free, or of taking on smaller projects. For one thing, there is now countless distribution platforms, festivals and awards for smaller projects like film shorts – if you are fortunate, your production credits could appear on a low-budget effort with a big impact.
Look for work experience and insight programmes. Many of the major broadcasters and production companies offer them. Constant work, paid or otherwise, means you are constantly honing your skills and increasing your knowledge. It also means that you're taking on knowledge of the things they can't fully teach you on a course – how to manage your time, hit deadlines, work within budget and deal with the countless challenges of working on a project with a team of others involved. Increasing your CV portfolio increases your professionalism, and will boost your confidence levels for when you're working on a paid project and it really hits the fan.
Ready for a Media Production Job? Time to list those broadcasters and production companies.
Compile a list of the production companies, creative agencies and broadcasters/media owners in your vicinity. They could range from large television channels (ITV Jobs is always hiring) to boutique agencies and independent production companies.. It's obvious what the advantages of production in a large company are, but you may get more leeway and potential for creative input in smaller ones. Although, of course, ITV Jobs prides itself on encouraging its media production teams to push themselves to be their best!
Using Search Engines and Social Media
Search for "production jobs", for starters. If you don't find what you want – or find the things you've already recently applied to – then widen your search. Look for "media production jobs", or "media production jobs in London" or "tv production jobs". You'll notice that as well as the big job boards that host a range of roles, you'll see a lot of in-house jobs available. ITV has its own jobs site where you can look for media production roles. In the interests of transparency, there are obviously other production companies and broadcasters out there who will also advertise any jobs going. Don't just limit yourself to the general job boards; with a bit of nifty search engine footwork, you can also go straight to the source.
Trawl Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn, too. Start with searching for your preferred production company, then widen your net. Note down any useful industry-specific hashtags you notice people using, and scour those. Hunt down relevant Facebook groups through Facebook search. Those calls for job applications can crop up anywhere, and if it's not on the regular general job boards there's a small chance you'll have a little less competition when applying for the role.
CV and Covering Letter
Anyone on the internet can tell you how to write a good CV. With your covering letter, keep it professional. If you have any projects you're particularly proud of, highlight them and specify why you think your input on these projects directly relates to the job you're applying for.
The Social Network – Don't be Evil
Yes, we're mixing our references there. Social networking works best if you give as well as get. If you've already worked on a number of small "friendly" projects where the aim is acknowledgement, not payment, then keep in touch with your colleagues. You liked the way they work? If you're on a new project and there's a role they'd be perfect for, keep in touch. They'll do the same for you.
It doesn't need to be spelled out, really. But… If you're out of work, ensure that TV and media production is your top pastime, because your aim is for that pastime to become your career.
Be honest when you fill out an application form.
Many companies will ask you to complete online application forms. Answer the questions honestly and always make sure you are applying for jobs that you have the experience and skills for. Save your time and that of the company you wish to work for.
Get a Media Production Degree
Some roles, like that of a camera operator or TV presenter, are less reliant on formal educational training, and there are plenty of media jobs where work experience counts for more than "a piece of paper". With media production, however, the discipline is so broad (including not only production techniques but copyright, for example) that a degree or relevant qualification will be one of the first things your prospective employer may look for.
Media production is a flourishing industry, but all UK sectors are feeling the pinch of recession – a degree (and, specifically, one in media production) is to your distinct advantage. It looks good on your CV, because it shows you've invested in media production as a career. It's good for your portfolio, because you'll have worked on projects throughout your degree that can be showcased. It's also good for your networking – the more projects you get involved with, the more research you do, the more you'll meet people that increase your career's social sphere.
What to Expect from a Media Production Degree
Yes, you'll learn the essentials of radio, television and single-camera production. However, the media producers of tomorrow need to be well-versed in design, animation and digital media from photography and imaging to beyond.
With content sharing so prevalent in today's media consumption, a degree will inform you in all aspects of sharing creative content across distribution platforms – including copyright, royalty and payment structures. It may not seem very creative, but this aspect of media production is vital, whether you're working on a short film with friends or on a big-budget television franchise.
You will be assessed in your degree through a combination of project work, examinations and coursework.
Entry Requirements for a Degree in Media Production
Depending on the institution you apply to, your entry requirements for a relevant degree will vary between 120 and 280 UCAS points.
Career Roles Associated with a Media Production Degree
Competition will be fierce, but your degree will give you a grounding in the very latest aspects of the discipline. It will set you in good stead to apply for a broad range of roles including producer, edit producer and digital and creative producers. If you weren't sure which discipline to specialise in at the start of your degree, you'll certainly know which area you're most attuned to by the time you leave.
Increase Your Experience, Build Your CV
Keep practising. Get the software you need, bookmark the online learning resources and relevant website you love, and keep at it. You will always find someone to work with. You will always find something new to learn. You may be an undergraduate, a postgraduate, or looking for another role or in between jobs. Regardless of your current status in the job market, you should be looking to expand your CV and your social network… and that means you never, ever stop.
You want production credits, and the way to do that is to participate in projects. Media production degrees offer built-in experience as you'll always be required to work on a project. In addition, network with colleagues, or use search engines and social media to your advantage to see what projects are out there that you could contribute to.
Don't be shy of offering your time for free, or of taking on smaller projects. For one thing, there is now countless distribution platforms, festivals and awards for smaller projects like film shorts – if you are fortunate, your production credits could appear on a low-budget effort with a big impact.
Look for work experience and insight programmes. Many of the major broadcasters and production companies offer them. Constant work, paid or otherwise, means you are constantly honing your skills and increasing your knowledge. It also means that you're taking on knowledge of the things they can't fully teach you on a course – how to manage your time, hit deadlines, work within budget and deal with the countless challenges of working on a project with a team of others involved. Increasing your CV portfolio increases your professionalism, and will boost your confidence levels for when you're working on a paid project and it really hits the fan.
Ready for a Media Production Job? Time to list those broadcasters and production companies.
Compile a list of the production companies, creative agencies and broadcasters/media owners in your vicinity. They could range from large television channels (ITV Jobs is always hiring) to boutique agencies and independent production companies.. It's obvious what the advantages of production in a large company are, but you may get more leeway and potential for creative input in smaller ones. Although, of course, ITV Jobs prides itself on encouraging its media production teams to push themselves to be their best!
Using Search Engines and Social Media
Search for "production jobs", for starters. If you don't find what you want – or find the things you've already recently applied to – then widen your search. Look for "media production jobs", or "media production jobs in London" or "tv production jobs". You'll notice that as well as the big job boards that host a range of roles, you'll see a lot of in-house jobs available. ITV has its own jobs site where you can look for media production roles. In the interests of transparency, there are obviously other production companies and broadcasters out there who will also advertise any jobs going. Don't just limit yourself to the general job boards; with a bit of nifty search engine footwork, you can also go straight to the source.
Trawl Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn, too. Start with searching for your preferred production company, then widen your net. Note down any useful industry-specific hashtags you notice people using, and scour those. Hunt down relevant Facebook groups through Facebook search. Those calls for job applications can crop up anywhere, and if it's not on the regular general job boards there's a small chance you'll have a little less competition when applying for the role.
CV and Covering Letter
Anyone on the internet can tell you how to write a good CV. With your covering letter, keep it professional. If you have any projects you're particularly proud of, highlight them and specify why you think your input on these projects directly relates to the job you're applying for.
The Social Network – Don't be Evil
Yes, we're mixing our references there. Social networking works best if you give as well as get. If you've already worked on a number of small "friendly" projects where the aim is acknowledgement, not payment, then keep in touch with your colleagues. You liked the way they work? If you're on a new project and there's a role they'd be perfect for, keep in touch. They'll do the same for you.
It doesn't need to be spelled out, really. But… If you're out of work, ensure that TV and media production is your top pastime, because your aim is for that pastime to become your career.
Be honest when you fill out an application form.
Many companies will ask you to complete online application forms. Answer the questions honestly and always make sure you are applying for jobs that you have the experience and skills for. Save your time and that of the company you wish to work for.
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