Careers information - Careers in publishing and BBC short film opportunity

If anyone is interested in publishing as a career, or would be interested in being in a BBC Bitesize educational film, take a look at the opportunities below. 

1 - The Publisher’s Association:

The Publishers Association, leading not-for-profit membership organisation for book, journal, audio and electronic publishers in the UK.  As part of our work to support the industry, and to ensure that publishing as a career is open to all, we are working to educate today’s students about the opportunities available in publishing. Beyond editorial at a trade publisher, the publishing industry involves producers, designers, publicists, marketers, rights managers, salespeople, and more to produce textbooks, academic journals, fiction, non-fiction, children’s books, and interactive apps. Although most of the larger publishers are centred in publishing hubs such as London, Oxford, and Edinburgh, there are many opportunities throughout the country with local publishers, online publishing services, and bookshops.

We want to ensure that all students today have access to the most relevant and up-to-date information about publishing in 2016 and realise that they can be  part of this thriving industry. To achieve this goal, we’re running a Work in Publishing week 14^th – 18^th November 2016, posting regularly about #WorkInPublishing on social media and on our Careers in Publishing page where we provide resources to educate students about the opportunities available to them. This includes, with more to come in the next couple of weeks:

·         Blog posts by publishing professionals

·         Videos about the publishing process

·         Posters / guides to publishing informing students about the different creative talents used in the industry

·         Ready-made presentations about the areas of opportunity in publishing

·         Links to publishing study courses

For further information, please use the links below.

Email: Careers@publishers.org.uk

Web: www.publishers.org.uk

2 - BBC:

The BBC have an upcoming BBC Learning Bitesize campaign that is being launched, hoping that you may be able to help.  They are looking to cast some young people as part of the campaign to feature in some short films.  Attached is the casting flyer above and would really appreciate it if you could distribute it to suitable candidates who are aged between 16-18 to see if they would like to get involved.  BBC are looking for young people who have done their exams in the last two years to share their experience and tips. 

Details of how to apply are outlined on the attached flyer.  All applications should be submitted via the email address stated on the flyer

For applicants who are interested, please encourage them to contact BBC at the email address within the next few weeks as the deadline for applications is 14^th November.

BBC Bitesize flyer. Click to see in full size.

Music video production - timeline

At this point, second year students will be working on their music video productions. You have worked hard during the preproduction, and with some planning and thinking ahead, things should run smoothly for your shooting and editing.

Because the most interesting shooting locations are going to be a bit further afield than the perimeter of the college, it is very likely you will be using lesson time to complete location shoots. This is great, but make sure you email your teacher with exactly what you are doing and where you are. 

Here's the schedule from now until the Xmas holidays. It might seem like you have all the time in the world, but from our experience as teachers, without exception, the best productions are the ones that start and finish early. Something will go wrong, and you need ample time for re-shoots and re-edits and changes of plan.

Click the image to see in full size

Preproduction - preparing for the music video

Preparing for your individual role

Mise-en-scene (typically this role needs to be fulfilled by both members of the group)  - Provide details of costume, hair/makeup, actors, setting, set dressing (how you will make the set look interesting), lighting, colour, etc. In particular it is important that you discuss what sort of star persona you are creating, what messages do they communicate?

Camerawork   - What movement and how much? What angles? What shot distances.? (for example if you want a performance how many different camera positions will their be and why/what will they be?)

Editing  - how will the editing match the track? Lip synching? Cutting on the beat? Use of transitions? Split screens? Other effects? Is there going to be a strong link between the music and visuals in other ways? (instruments? Dancing? Etc.) Is it going to edit between different scenes? (Performance? Narrative?)

Before you begin anything, you must complete:

• A detailed storyboard (digital or sketched)
• A comprehensive shot list
• A detailed location research document
• Costume designs (optional)
• Requisition documentation (optional)
• Complete health and safety documentation

Shooting guidelines 

In order to maximise your grade, it is essential to include a variety of technical codes and visual codes. This list may seem overly didactic, but following it will ensure you include a variety of visual and technical codes

Technical codes

• Three different shot types
• An extreme close up
• A long shot
• A high/low angle shot
• High key lighting
• Varied pace of editing
• A temporal effect (time lapse, slow mo, reverse, fast forward, freeze frame…)

Visual codes

• Generic iconography
• Use of graphics (could be extremely brief)
• Distinctive mise en scene
• Two distinct facial expressions

Other

• Consideration of modes of address

When do we start?

Start of principal photography is the week starting Monday 31st October 2016.  That's your first lesson back after the half term. We expect you to roll up, grab equipment and clear off. In order to do that everything related to preproduction must be finished before this date. Use the holidays to meet up, look at fields and woods, source props and sort out costumes.

A2 Media R block - research task

For the MS4 exam, you will definitely be writing about Kanye West and Lady Gaga. However, you will also be writing about a third artist of your choice. This artist must be British, but can have made music in any era.

1) Make a list of five British musical artists you are interested in. This can include bands, solo singers, DJs...
2) Choose one music video by this artist. Using Gledhill and Dyer's theories of celebrity, make notes in your book on how your chosen artist either conforms to or rejects celebrity status.

You can change your mind later on about which artist you write about in the exam! I will be checking the notes in your books on Thursday!

Music video - the pitch

Make sure you cover the following points: 

• Generic (genre) conventions used and why these would be appropriate 
• Abstract or narrative video?
• Exhaustive resource list, including props and performers, but also technical equipment (lights, reflectors, projectors, specific cameras)
• Locations and how you are going to be able to film there
• How the video will link to everybody’s research investigation
• Use of micro elements (at least cinematography, mise en scene and editing)
• Trouble shooting. What might go wrong and how will you solve it?

Report - research

Task one - 

Use the internet to research the conventions of the thriller genre. Make notes using the following terms: genre, conventions/paradigms, iconography, narrative, representation. Make sure to keep your notes: they will be incorporated into your essay!

Adaptation of the mark scheme. We're doing it in two halves: research first, followed by the evaluation towards the end of the production process

Suggested essay structure

• Introduction – what did you research and why?
• Outline of the thriller genre, making reference to generic paradigms
• LA Confidential key scene analysis – what visual and technical codes are used, and how are they typical of the thriller genre?
• Key scene analysis of another thriller – as above 
• Typical representations
• Typical narratives
• How do thrillers target their audience?

Star theory: Gledhill and Dyer

When discussing the importance of celebrity, it is essential to not only include a variety of appropriate examples which justify the artist's celebrity status, but also appropriate theory to back it up. Here are a couple of theories you can use in extended writing tasks. 

Remember, when using theory, use the theory to back up your point, rather than using the point to back up your theory! You can find more tips on how to utilise theory here. 

Christine Gledhill

4 elements of a star:

• Capital value (they add monetary value and reduce the risk of loss)
• Constructs (they are involved in the construction of their own image)
• Deviant (they can be controversial)
• Cultural value (they can signify moral, social and ideological values)

Richard Dyer

4 elements of a star:

• Promotion (an aspect of the star will be focused on in order to market them more effectively)
• Publicity (stars are ‘known’ on traditional and social media)
• Films (stars are usually associated with different types of genres and film roles)
• Criticism and commentary (how discussed is the star?)

Thanks to Tanya for providing this post!