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job vacancies in publishing, media and performing arts Media comprises broadcast television, film (including animation and documentary), radio and interactive media and commercials. However, the boundaries between the broadcast, film and interactive media sectors are not always clearly defined. TV programmes may have interactive websites and films often have spin-off electronic game versions. The Office of Communications (Ofcom) is the regulatory body for the media and telecommunications industry. Ads by Google What kind of work can I do?- Broadcast television - going through a period of change with the growth of smaller independent production companies. Many television programmes now have interactive elements and websites, meaning the new media industry has become heavily involved in broadcast television.
- Radio - the airwaves are dominated by the BBC and music channels but it is a growing industry with over 500 radio services.
- Film - a high proportion of employees in this section are freelancers.
- Animation - expensive to produce but generates high revenue and the UK is one of the leaders in the field.
- Documentary film making - relies on multi-skilling, i.e. directing, shooting and producing. Determination is required in this area to acquire the skills and gain recognition. The Documentary Filmmakers Group produces the online guide ‘How to get ahead in Documentary’ which may be helpful.
- Commercials - freelance staff are usually selected through advertising agencies for commercial productions.
- Corporate production - comprises mostly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Projects include using film, CD-ROM or DVD formats for training, PR and sales.
- Facilities houses - own and maintain high-value ‘kit’, which they supply to all sectors of the audiovisual industry. The main jobs are in maintenance, preparation of equipment and a small number in ‘out with the kit’ positions.
- Interactive media - comprises a loose collection of areas including web and internet, off-line multimedia, electronic games and interactive TV. There are opportunities to work in IT, telecommunications, broadcasting, design and publishing.
What’s it like working in this sector?- Working in the media sector can be very demanding. You may be required to work long hours and spend periods away from home. In spite of this, many find the environment stimulating and rewarding.
- Just over 7% of people working in the industry are from ethnic minority backgrounds. Just over a third of the industry are female and well over half of those working in the industry are under 35. These figures vary according to industry and job role.
- It is clear that the mix of staff in this sector does not represent the audience it serves. However, recruiters are trying to redress this imbalance and broadcast organisations especially, are trying to recruit a more diverse staff.
- The Broadcasting and Creative Industries Disability Network (BCIDN), which is part of the Employers' Forum on Disability and the Cultural Diversity Network are organisations that work to correct the diversity imbalance of the workforce.
How big is this sector?- According to most recent data in the Skillset Employment Census 2006, around 205,550 are employed in the audio visual industries. If film production and performance were also to be included in this number, the figure would be closer to just over half a million.
- The big industries within this sector are terrestrial TV and independent TV production, together employing over 41,000, radio employing 22,000 and interactive media employing 29,000.
- Of all the people working in the sector in 2006, just over a quarter were working on a freelance basis.
Where can I work?- Jobs are available throughout the UK, but the majority are found in London and the South-East, with just over half of the people in the sector working in these areas. Around a third work in other English regions.
- The remainder (just over one in ten of the workforce) are distributed fairly evenly between Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
- There are also opportunities overseas; for more information, see opportunities abroad.
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