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