There are many types of apprenticeships and university degrees available for careers in the media industry. Apprenticeships focus on specific areas like journalism or production and combine on-the-job training with academic qualifications. University degrees provide learning about the industry but don't guarantee work experience unless sought separately. Common entry-level jobs include being a runner, which involves administrative and equipment transport tasks to help film crews. Progression roles after being a runner include research positions. The document explores several mid-level jobs the author finds interesting like camera operator, production designer, and cinematographer across television, film, and journalism.

1. Industry
Research

2. Apprenticeships
• There are many different types of apprenticeships available in the media industry that focus on
different parts of the industry. For example, the BBC offer both a journalism apprenticeship and a
production apprenticeship, with the journalism apprenticeship lasting for 18 months and the
production apprenticeship lasting for 24 months, both ae paid and full time.
• Within some (but not all) apprenticeships you will also study alongside while you work to gain a
qualification (up to degree level) so that once you finish your apprenticeship you will have
both valuable, firsthand work experience in the industry that you desire o work in as well as a
qualification.

3. University
• Most people decide to go through the university route to achieve their desired career, although this
is not a necessity within the media industry. The cost to go to university is £9,250 per year as of
2022. This money only covers the cost of the course, however if you decide to go to a university
that is a far distance from home and you are required to move out, you can receive a maintenance
loan from the government that covers this cost. The amount of money that you receive as the
maintenance loan is dependable upon your household income, meaning that some people get
more than others if their parents earn less. Even if you decide to go to a local university and stay at
home, you can still request a maintenance loan to help fund certain parts of your studies, this
amount is less than those moving out and is also dependable on household income.
• Unlike an apprenticeship you do not gain work experience in a professional setting unless you seek
out a work experience placement on your own or take an extra work experience year on your
course if your university offers that, however you do learn about the industry and receive a degree
at the end.

4. Jobs
• Whether just out of university or an apprenticeship, if a film in the TV or Film industry is desired,
most start out as a Runner. A runner is the most junior position and the usual entry point of anyone
within the industry.
• Runner's carry out mostly administrative tasks such as setting up locations for a shoot, hiring props
and transporting equipment or whatever is requested by the director, other film crew or actors.
• Qualifications and relevant work experience on similar sets help to get into this type of role as well
as knowing people in the industry.
• This position usually lasts for approximately a year or longer before progressing onto other roles
and these progression roles are usually as researchers.
• After being a runner, you can decide where within film you want to progress to, whether this
be preproduction, production or postproduction.

5. • I know that I would prefer a career in film however wouldn't say no to a career in TV, and within
these I know that I would prefer to work mainly on the pre-production and production side.
Although I do enjoy post-production I know that it is not what I exceed in in comparison to the
other two and not what I enjoy the most.
• With this I have a general idea of what I want to have a career in however do not know
specifically what job role that I desire to have.
• Jobs roles within film and TV that I have explored and believe sound interesting include are
camera operator, production designer, cinematographer, producer television floor manager or
television production coordinator.
• Television production coordinators are responsible for the administration, organisation and
secretarial work involved in producing a television programme.
• Television floor managers are the vital link between directors and those involved in a television
production on the studio floor.
• Television camera operators use cameras and other technical equipment to record moving
images for broadcast television, cable, internet streaming and film companies.

6. • Production designers are responsible for the visual concept of a film, television or theatre production.
They identify a design style for sets, locations, graphics, props, lighting, camera angles and costumes,
while working closely with the director and producer.
• Television, film and video producers manage all stages of the production process, overseeing all
elements from conception to completion.
• Directors of photography (cinematographers) work with the film director to realise scenes in line with
their visions. They manage the camera and lighting crews on a film set, make artistic and technical
decisions and review footage in the post-production stage.
• Although a career within film or tv is my main goal, I would also be interested in a career within
journalism. I thoroughly enjoy writing as well as photography and have considered a career
in journalism because of these factors.