Contract Types

Full Time

A full time contract is when someone is hired to work full hours and does not need to rely on different employers. This mainly applies to people working in office jobs and managerial roles. Full time employees are often paid a salary or hourly. Some full time employees can work flexibly, meaning they can choose when to work so long as they work the set time they are paid for.

Part Time

A part time contract is where the employee is required to share their working time with someone else. Usually part time contracts are flexible and employees can pick and choose their working hours but sometimes they do not. Sometimes people need to work part time when they have had an extended break such as maternity leave or gap years but this it not always the case. 

Permanent

Permanent employment is when an employee works for and is paid directly by one employer. They are guaranteed their job unless they decide to leave or they are laid off. Permanent employees can often get benefits like paid holidays and are free to switch job positions within their company.

Fixed Term

A fixed term contract is where a set amount of time is given to complete a certain amount of work. This can apply to someone covering for someone on maternity leave or if a company wants to employ but only for a set period. Many American series require cast and crew to sign a six year fixed term contract.

Hourly Paid

An hourly paid contract is where the staff are paid hourly for their work. This often applies to people who let out their services like film companies for hire or companies who let equipment or props. Many people hired in film or series roles are paid hourly though not always.

Salaried

A salary is when an employee is paid a fixed sum of money per year, given monthly (often on the 25th of each month). Salaries sometimes come with benefits such as paid holidays, bonuses or perks such as the company car. Employers must also contribute to a pension fund.

Paid on Completion

Paid on completion is when a client pays for a specific thing once it has been done. This payment method is not reliable as a client could opt out at any point in the project without paying or could refuse payment if they change their mind. This usually applies to people working freelance or on commission, for example; photographers, artists or small film companies.

Monopoly

A monopoly is where a company or individual has a share in a particular product, medium or argument. Rupert Murdoch has a large monopoly of many companies in the media; under News International are the newspapers: the Sun and the Times, along with over 800 other smaller companies around the world including Fox, Sky and HarperCollins.

It is important that no single media producer in the UK has a monopoly because all media would be bias and almost fascist in that certain news/opinions could be censored or endorsed to manipulate peoples own interests or concerns to uniform.

Consumer choice is important as it allows individuals to opt for services which they think best suits them. People choose specific newspapers published by different companies because it expresses the political views they believe in, people choose certain TV packages from different companies because the programming is best suited to them; a younger person may choose packages with ITV 2, MTV and similar, an older person may prefer Sky Arts, ITV 3 or similar. If there was no consumer choice then everything would be the same, specific to what one company or government believes people should be allowed to know or see.

Censorship is the restrictions put in place to avoid perverting people’s interests. In pre-recorded broadcast media, censorship can occur in words or conversations being edited out. In many countries, censorship is more restrictive than others; for example in China, all references to politics is prohibited (not just in the media) – websites, TV shows and movies from outside countries are all either edited or banned before being released in China.

There is a fine line between censorship and protecting public interest because censorship is put in place to protect public interest only by non-restricting companies or governments: when a James Bond film was shown on British Airways, a scene involving a Virgin plane was cut from the movie – it was not to protect the public interest but to shun a rival company. In restrictive governments, like Russia or China; censorship is used broadly to protect the public from what that government thinks they should be censored from; not necessarily what they believe is dangerous (like references to Homosexuality) but anything which degrades their country’s leaders or could influence a revolt against them.

Under18s should be subject to particular consideration by regulators as the majority are easily influenced by the media. If there was no censorship for under 18s, then they could be subject to  violence or ‘foul’ language which could traumatise them. Agreed, the system is flawed and many believe that it should be changed, but there should be a system in place to censor under 18s.

Legal Constraints

Libel Law

You can be sued for damages if you publish or broadcast things about a person which are untrue and damage their reputation (defame them) The law was created to protect individuals or organisations from unwarranted, mistaken or untruthful attacks on their reputation.
Twitter users produced incorrect defamatory comments on Lord McAlpine accusing him of child sex abuse, in addition to BBC’s Newsnight suggesting he was a paedophile. The Conservative peer sought to threaten legal action against the Twitter users including actor and comedian; Alan Davies, who was fined £15,00.

Official Secrets Act 1989

It is a criminal offence to obtain or publish any information from a serving or former member of the security and intelligence services or from certain categories of civil servants or public contractors where that disclosure would be damaging.
Peter Wright published the book: Spycatcher which revealed that in the 1960s, MI5 conspired to discredit prime minister: Harold Wilson. Thatcher’s current government claimed that Wright owed a lifelong duty to confidentiality.

Copyright and Intellectual Property Law

This law exists to protect people's creative endeavours so that they can properly benefit from their work. If such protection didn't exist and people were able to copy or sell or profit from another's work, there would be little incentive for people to create in the first place. Programme-makers are responsible for ensuring that all necessary clearances (copyright, trademarks etc.) have been obtained for their programmes.
The MET police have owned the copyright to the ‘police box’ image since they began in service to the present day. The BBC has tried numerous times to buy the copyright for the image as it is only ever used in Doctor Who since they went out of service and were majorly scrapped in the 1960s. The MET have refused to sell the copyright however, so the BBC has to pay royalties.

Privacy Law

If a media company publishes information about someone which is information that should be considered private, that is to say, information in respect of which you had a ‘reasonable expectation of privacy’, then legal action for misuse of private information can be brought under the Human Rights Act 1998.
The Phone Hacking Scandal of the News of the World newspaper, in which employees had hacked into the phones of many people in the news (inc. celebrities, politicians and ordinary civilians). The company were accused when messages were deleted on Millie Dowler’s phone.

Obscene Publications Act 1959

This Act intends to ensure that the media does not negatively influence or corrupt the audience it is intended for. Lawyers may need to check whether a production breaks this law before it is released. Content such as sexually explicit, violent and/or drug taking is reviewed for suitability. Decisions are made dependent on factors such as age range of the audience, the time a production is broadcast.

The Italian government accused the makers of the film adaptation of the Da Vinci Code of obscenity towards the Catholic religion for suggesting that the characters: Jesus Christ and Mary Magdalene were in a relationship and had children. The people accused, including the Ron Howard and writer: Dan Brown, had to appear in court (around the time they were shooting the sequel to the movie) in 2007.

Professional Behaviour

Punctuality

Whether it is being punctual for an interview or the job itself, it sets the right impression. It is best to be early, usually by about 10-15 minutes as it shows you can be relied upon to be on time.

Reliability

If you can be trusted with handling certain responsibilities, then you  are more likely to keep your job or be promoted to a higher role in the business - it greatly helps the business improve and get jobs done quicker and more efficiently.

Communication Skills

To have the ability to talk to people confidently anywhere is the supports of any business. In media, the ability to choose random people and talk to them - be it for a vox pop or a possible client; working in a team is a huge part of media production and the ability to tell other people what to do and ask others questions all relys on good communication skills. It is important to have a motivational attitude and good self presentation as these tend to get people listening to you, to be outwardly friendly also makes you approachable.

Time Management

To organise time and how you use it is just as good as reliability, you can not be trusted if you do not organise your use of time. Knowing where to be at a particular time, what you should be doing, what time you give for planning and making arrangements. It is useful to keep a schedule or a diary, to aid with planning.

Organisation

Organisation

Self Presentation

Working in a Team

To be able to work well with others is crutial, particularly in jobs where you are required to work in a team - especially in a media role. Many people can be easily relied upon when they work well with others and work is often completed quicker due to good communication skills.

Working to on your Own Initiative

Commitment

Commitment get's people interested in the work, if they weren't interested in the work then they wouldn't be bothered to complete it or d it properly. Lack of commitment lets the team down, inefficient punctuality or lack of organisation han greatly depress the flow of a production; if a microphone operator fails to turn up for a shoot then the team is unable to record.

Motivation

To have the motivation to work is important as it acts as a driving force to get the work done. To encourage others to work, particularly in a team, is essential in the role of a manager- it drives employees to want to do the work rather than just doing it; motivating others requires good communication skills and is crutial in working in a team.

Case Study

T.V. Production

Floor Manager:

They ensure that sets, props and technical equipment are safe and ready and  correctly located to use prior to filming. They are often used as the link between the Director and the cast and crew to help with coordination on set, often passing cues and directions when the director is in the live editing booth. They mainly perform studio-based work.

The typical salary can be as low as £16000 but are often upward of £25000, though the majority of Floor Managers work freelance at around £150 per 8 hour day.

No major qualifications needed, most Floor Managers have a usually media related degree. Experience is the most desired quality, in broadcasting or theatre - most Floor Managers start as Runners or Assistant Floor Managers first.

Sound Supervisor:

Can work in studio and outdoors, usually on news or drama productions with multiple cameras. Their job is to manage all sound crews; being boom operators, sound technicians or technical assistants. They can be either freelance or tied to specific broadcasting companies.
They normally require 5-10 years experience in sound, usually as boom operators or technicians. Qualifications are not required though Sound Supervisors often have 'sound related' degrees or minor qualifications. They must have good communication skills.

Director:

The director (in TV) can be similar to film in that when directing a series, the responsibilities are similar to that of a movie director and often only direct one or two episodes; whereas in directing live or as-live, there is typically one director set for the entire season. They are responsible for organizing the shoot, planning shots and often directing the camera, light and sound operators as well as the actors. Many directors produce their own storyboards and they often have a hand in the edit. Live/as-live directors usually have to direct from a control booth, where they tell camera operators their desired shots and ordering a switcher to edit live. The typical annual salary is around £30000 - £60000 which is about £300 per day. Directors usually require experience, usually to get to a directing role: many have experience as a camera operator, usually starting as a runner. An education in film and TV production and often theatre and acting (many directors have experience in acting roles) are often admired, though qualifications are not necessary (they do help).

Executive / Managing Director

The highest role in TV production, the Executive directors manage the company. There are 7 executive directors at the BBC: Director-General, Radio, TV, News & Current Affairs, Strategy & Digital, HR and Operations & Finance. They are each responsible for managing their particular department and hold a meeting every month, BBC Commercial holdings and BBC Worldwide both support the board on commercial matters. For TV, the Executive Director is responsible for the overall output of television, they usually earn around £320000+. Usual starting low as a runner, they work their way up to managerial and executive roles; the current Exec Director of TV at BBC: Danny Cohen was formerly the Controller of BBC 1, having first been controller of BBC 3 and E4: working first in Documentary Commissioning for Channel 4. Skills require experience in camera operating, directing, floor managing, producing and commissioning as well as presentation, marketing, negotiating etc. 

Colourist

A colourist is someone who adds colour to videos in the edit. Colourists are often used in the restoration of black and white films, by adding colour to them.They are also used in changing colours of colour films, for example, the Vinvocci in Doctor Who had to be completely recoloured in the edit. 

Colourists are typically freelance, though many sfx editors are expected to be able

Regulators

Press Complaints Commission

o   Regulates the press: newspapers & Magazines

o   Founded in 1953 as the Press Council though many companies breached their standards in the 1980s and in 1990 a report was made by the Home Office which led to the creation of the PCC by the press, to avoid external regulation. Though it has no legal powers, all press fund and adhere to its rules – making the press self-regulating. In 2011, the organisation was nearly replaced due to its lack of action in the Phone Hacking Scandal; instead, the company changed its guidelines though it is since being replaced with the Independent Press Standards Organisation.

o   Its rules are generally followed by the press; though if broken, any member of the public can report a publication which has volunteered itself to follow the rules of the PCC.  They can complain if the publication breaks any of the 16 parts of the PCC code of practice.

o   If any part of the code is broken, the PCC can force the publication company to correct an incorrectly printed fact, whether intended or not; they can make the publisher write an apology or provide a letter from the complainant. They cannot impose financial penalties on publishers.

BBFC

o   Regulates films and home releases like DVD or Blu-Ray.

o   Founded in 1912 as the British Board of Film Censors, the company reviewed cinemas to deem them fit for practice as shops and fairground huts had hastily been converted into cinemas at the time which caused a number of Nitrate fires. The BBFC also censored films and had the power to ban them if appropriate – in 1928, the Seashell and the Clergyman was deemed ‘too meaningless’ to be shown in cinemas. The name was changed in 1984 to the British Board of Film Classification as it did more at the time than censor films. As of 1984, they can censor home release like Video (at the time) and DVD and they also have the power to censor some games though this was passed to the Video Standards Council and PEGI.

o   It provides certificates for films, preventing audiences younger than the movies’ intended audience from watching – though many cinemas follow the guidelines set by the BBFC, they do not have to follow them and can choose not to showcase the film if cinemas think it should not be shown.

Ofcom

o   Regulates broadcasting (TV, Radio)

o   Founded in 2001 (announced by the Queen in her parliament speech) and launched in 2003 to replace the previous authority.  They license all UK TV and radio services in the UK. Broadcasters must comply with their terms and they must also follow their Broadcasting code – a list of rules which all TV and radio companies must apply to all their broadcast content. Following the phone-hacking scandal, an investigation was launched to find out if Sky Broadcasting was fit to broadcast as it was owned by the News Corporation; the investigation has still not been closed.

o   They have the power to ban and raid pirate radio stations in the UK and can prevent the broadcasting of shows if they do not adhere to their rules.

ASA

o   Regulates advertising in the UK

o   Partly founded in 1961 by the Advertising Association.  It was officially set up as the Advertising Standards Authority in 1962 to review complaints sent to them which about advertisements which breached the code set the year prior. The ASA has since remained the only advertising regulatory body in the UK.

o   They enforce rules which apply to Print, TV, Radio, the Internet. In print; news companies must have an advertorial – giving them permission to publish adverts, though if the editor decides to change the ad; it can be considered as an editorial. The ASA gained control over broadcast advertising in 2004; they can enforce rules for shopping channels, though only if they mislead customers or cause widespread problems. The company does have difficulty with ads on the internet due to its non-geographical nature.

Ethical Constraints

Affecting individuals’ lives on the show in various ways like their mental condition, such as traumatising them or making them depressed, affecting their career or offending them.

Affecting the audience in various ways like trauma or offense.

Reality TV

To apply to these constraints, reality shows must screen applicants before entering the show in order to find out if their physical and mental condition is deemed fit for to go on it. They must interview them and have them read and knowingly agree to terms and conditions by signing contract. For shows like Big Brother or I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here, contestants would be examined to measure their physical, medical and mental fitness, so as not to drastically affect their health or mental condition. Many things which people say which are not suitable for broadcast because they degrade or make comment on a public personality or brand should be removed in the edit. There must also be someone nearby to help with people affected medically or mentally.
Reality TV often features footage from on the street, people who walk into shot and their faces are clearly visible have to either sign a contributor release form or their faces are blurred so as to respect their privacy if they wish not to be shown on television.
Many reality TV shows feature swearing or references to content of an adult nature which the producer has to ensure is censored or not featured in the show if it is broadcast before the watershed, some repeats of post-watershed hours broadcasts have to be severely edited to remove offensive language or inappropriate scenes.

Drama

To apply to constraints, shows which show a certain level of violence or gore must indicate before the show. Many shows have a reduced amount of gore and violence through the way it is directed and edited, this is dependent on the time of broadcast and the audience- many shows feature a reduced amount of this because it broadens the TA but others broadcast after the watershed time of around 8/9pm if they want to include more adult content which some viewers and children may find offensive or harmful; the decision of whether to include this content is given to the producer who is given a timeslot for which they can broadcast and that time may be before or after the watershed, though some producers decide when the appropriate time for the show to broadcast should be - Game of Thrones is broadcast at 9pm because it broadens the audience by being closer to prime time hours but includes adul content by being past the watershed (though in the UK, some Sky channels are PIN protected meaning there is no watershed). Any show broadcast before the watershed must conform to accepted rules which protect those effected by material in bad taste or are easily insulted, dramas like Doctor Who (rated 12 but appearing before the watershed) features no 'human' gore or violence and any adult content is only hinted at or suggested.
They also link to a helpline after the show for people affected by the content. Often, shows can feature stories which place characters in situations similar to that experienced by members of the audience or in the news. To avoid linking it to current affairs, fictional dramas sometimes have a message at the end stating that the events are fictitious and not based on any external event. This often happens after episodes of the soap drama: Eastenders, in which the characters are as-real people and the events within the show, may be similar to that of any of the audience.

Comedy

Often comedy shows need to review their content before airing it. Comments made as jokes could be confused as offense and could be misinterpreted as meaning the opposite of what it was meant to mean. Sometimes content could suggest things about people which could be taken seriously or give the wrong opinion, leading to legal battles. Sometimes the content on comedy shows could show situations like death or violence in a different way to how a drama would and could offend members of the audience affected by such things in reality.

Current Affairs

These shows must ask people for permission to use their image, logo or voice in a show. This is not always the case and sometimes shows can broadcast people’s faces if they are involved in a crime or similar to show people not to trust them, like in Rouge Traders. If they are undercover they must blur or pixilate individual’s faces if they do not consent for them to use it or if they have not asked permission to use it, the same applies to names, addresses and registration numbers.
Current affairs shows can not use off the record information unless they have a reliable source and legal permission - for instance if an article contains leaked information then they would need to verify it as true and if the information is protected by an equitable remedy such as an injunction then it is illegal to report on the subject.

Talk Show

On shows like the Jeremy Kyle Show, there must be security nearby to be able to intervene if someone becomes violent or aggressive. There must be support nearby to help those affected by the results read out on the show; this support could be in the form of a doctor or a councillor. When the results are read out, the presenter should remind them and the audience that they may not be 100% accurate and could have been affected by non-related factors like stress or excitement.
Audience members on talk shows have to sign to say that their likeness can be shown on TV if audience reactions are required in the show, meaning that for a portion of the show the camera will be pointing at the audience, if someone does not give consent then they may not be allowed to participate.
Talk shows can often have offensive guests who have to be censored at times at points where they might swear or if they express racist opinions, the producers must make the decision whether to broadcast such content and they must not be bias in who's argument they favour but show a fair representation of all parties where it is within their power.
Usually children are not featured on shows like Jeremy Kyle as the environment can be aggressive, abusive and inappropriate for children at times.