TELL A STORY Level 3 Creative Media By: Magda Gaik

PRACTICIONER-Ken Burns He was born on the 29th of July, He is an American known for his style of using archival footage and photographs in his documentary films. His most known documentaries are, The Civil War, Baseball, Jazz, The War, The National Parks: America’s Best Idea, Prohibition, The Central Park Five, and the Roosevelts. AWARDS: 1982 nomination, Academy Award for Documentary Feature: Brooklyn Bridge (1981); 1986 nomination, Academy Award for Documentary Feature: The Statue of Liberty (1985); 1995 Emmy Awards for Outstanding Informational Series: Baseball (1994); 2010 Emmy Award for Outstanding Non-fiction Series: The National Parks: America’s Best Idea (2009).

Links Blog: Showreel: Final Project:

Job in Media TV or film camera operator Camera operators record images for film, television, commercials and music videos. They set up equipment, plan shots and sort out technical and lighting issues. If you have good practical skills, can visualise shots and have a keen interest in the moving image and photography, this could be a great job for you. You would usually get into this type of work by becoming an assistant and learning your craft on the job. College courses can also be a good way to get some of the technical skills you’ll need. As a camera operator, you’ll record moving images for film, television, commercials, music videos or corporate productions. You’ll operate film or digital video cameras, usually under instruction from the director or director of photography. On a typical job, you’ll: set up and position camera equipment choose the most suitable lenses and camera angles plan and rehearse shots follow a camera script and take cues from the director, or floor manager if in a TV studio solve any practical or technical problems that pop up work closely with other technical departments such as lighting and sound. You may be the only camera operator and use a portable single camera, or you could be part of a TV studio camera team. On feature films and TV drama productions, you’ll be part of a larger crew with a specific role. This might be: second assistant camera (clapper loader) – loading and unloading film, counting the takes and helping the camera crew first assistant camera (focus puller) – judging and adjusting the focus on each shot grip – building and operating cranes and pulleys needed to move a camera during shooting You’ll normally specialise in either film or television work, as the equipment and techniques can differ. However, with the growth in digital cameras and HD technology, it is becoming easier for camera professionals to work across all formats. Working hours and conditions Your hours could often be long and irregular, and may include shift work and nights depending on the production. You may also need to be flexible and work at short notice, particularly for news programmes. You could work anywhere from studios to outside locations in all weather conditions. You may have to work at heights on cranes or scaffolding. Location work could be anywhere in the UK or overseas. News camera jobs may involve working under difficult or dangerous conditions, for instance in war zones. Income Freelance camera operators are usually paid a fee for each contract. Rates can vary widely. You could negotiate fees based on the type of production and your own track record. Contact BECTU for current pay guidelines. Entry requirements Employers will be more interested in your technical skills and practical experience than academic qualifications. In practice, many camera operators take a college or university course to develop their camera skills before looking for work. Relevant courses include: Level 2 Diploma In Creative Media Production & Technology Level 3 Certificate/Diploma in Media Techniques Level 3/4 Diploma in Creative Media Production degrees in media production, media technology or photography It may give you an advantage if you can find a course that offers practical experience and possibly a work placement. You can also get practical experience and build up your contacts through: involvement in community film projects working for a camera equipment hire company finding work experience as a runner or camera assistant with a production company