Media job roles

Film Director -
The Director is the driving creative force in a film's production, and acts as the crucial link between the production, technical and creative teams. Directors are responsible for creatively translating the film's written script into actual images and sounds on the screen - he or she must visualise and define the style and structure of the film, then act as both a storyteller and team leader to bring this vision to reality. A Directors' main duties include casting, script editing, shot composition, shot selection and editing. While the practical aspects of filmmaking, such as finance and marketing, are left to the Producer, Directors must also always be aware of the constraints of the film's budget and schedule. In some cases, Directors assume multiple roles such as Director/Producer or Director/Writer. Being a Director requires great creative vision, dedication and commitment. Directors are ultimately responsible for a film's artistic and commercial success or failure.

Responsibilities
Directors may write the film's script or commission it to be written; or they may be hired after an early draft of the script is complete. Directors must then develop a vision for the finished film, and define a practical route for achieving it. During pre-production, Directors make crucial decisions, such as selecting the right cast, crew and locations for the film. They then direct rehearsals, and the performances of the actors once the film is in production. Directors also manage the technical aspects of filming, including the camera, sound, lighting, design and special effects departments.

During post- production, Directors work closely with Editors through the many technical processes of editing, to reach the final version of the film. At all stages, Directors are responsible for motivating the team to produce the best possible results. Directors must also appreciate the needs and expectations of the film's financiers.

Skills
Directors must have exceptional artistic vision and creative skills to develop an engaging and original film.  Unerring commitment and a deep passion for filmmaking are essential, along with the ability to act as a strong and confident leader. Directors must constantly make decisions, but must also be able to delegate, and to collaborate with others. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills are vital to get the best from the filmmaking team. Directors must inspire and motivate the team to produce the film they have envisioned. They need an extensive understanding of the entire filmmaking process, from both technical and creative points of view. A capacity for long hours of intensive work, attention to detail, and the ability to remain calm and think clearly under great pressure, are key skills for this role. Directors also need great self-belief and the determination to succeed.

Qualifications/ExperienceWhile there are numerous training courses and reference books on directing, formal qualifications are not necessary to become a Director.  Studying the art and craft of directing is important, but the role can only really be mastered through in-depth practical experience.  Writing a screenplay, directing one's own short film or an amateur play, are all good starting places.  Extensive industry experience is also crucial to this role; up-to-date knowledge of filmmaking techniques and equipment is vital, as is learning how to work with actors to create a performance. 
As many Directors work their way up over many years from entry level positions, getting work experience as a Runner on a film set or in a production office is an ideal starting point.  Observing successful Directors at work, whilst immersing oneself in the practical process of filmmaking, are vital first steps on this fiercely competitive and highly challenging career path.


Actor -
Actors are the embodiment of any film production - theirs is the public face, which represents many others' work and efforts. It is rare for the public to see the Scriptwriter, the Producer, or the Director of a film - their perception is based on what is portrayed by the Actors on screen: they present a visual interpretation of the script. They bring flesh and blood, to the character.
For some roles, they must carry out extensive research, for others their character is moulded and developed during rehearsals. They work with the Director to create believable, natural characters expressing the appropriate emotions, based on the Scriptwriter's words, but built upon in order to convince the audience of their veracity.
On films, they must be able to learn their lines quickly, and to retain their meaning and inflection, while sometimes repeating the same scene many times over, for re-takes, and while scenes are shot from different angles. They should also know their fellow Actors' lines, so that they can respond to them accurately and appropriately.
They must be able to contribute ideas and suggestions to improve their own performance, in a creative and collaborative way, whilst also being able to take direction, notes and constructive criticism from members of the Directing team. They need to remember their exact positions and movements at any given time during the performance, to assist with continuity.
They must also be able to continually hit their marks on set, without looking down to locate them. Actors must be infinitely adaptable, as they may find themselves portraying many different characters over a short period of time. They must be aware that others contribute to their characterisation, e.g., those working in the Make Up, Costume, and Design teams, and that they may be serviced by a host of others in terms of transport, catering, etc., but that the ultimate responsibility lies with the Actors themselves.
As casting a well known Actor may provide the main marketing point of a feature film, he or she bears a great deal of the responsibility for its box office success, or failure. Actors also have a responsibility to their audience, to ensure that they deliver consistent performances, to the best of their abilities, irrespective of their personal circumstances.

Typical career routes

Actors come from a variety of backgrounds, and it is difficult to pinpoint any specific career route. Some Actors start their careers in theatre, after leaving drama school pursuing auditions or often working initially in Stage Management, and progressing to Acting roles on stage. Others may successfully audition for TV commercials, Radio or TV drama series, or Film roles, and gain a reputation by exposure on these media. However, there are no guarantees of work, or work progression, for Actors.

Screenwriter
(aka Writer or Scriptwriter)

Screenwriters are responsible for researching the story, developing the narrative, writing the screenplay, and delivering it, in the required format, to Development Executives. Screenwriters therefore have great influence over the creative direction and emotional impact of the screenplay and, arguably, of the finished film. They are almost always freelancers who either pitch original ideas to Producers in the hope that they will be optioned or sold, or who are commissioned by a Producer to create a screenplay from a concept, true story, existing screenwork or literary work, such as a novel, poem, play, comic book or short story. Screenwriting is emotionally and intellectually demanding, and requires an in-depth understanding of visual storytelling, and of the different ways that films affect audiences. Many more screenplays are commissioned than films are made, and only a very few top UK Screenwriters make enough money to sustain themselves entirely through writing screenplays. Screenwriters write in teams, and an additional Screenwriter may be recruited onto a project by the Producer to improve one or more aspects of the narrative. This Screenwriter may share a screenwriting credit with the original Screenwriter, or otherwise be credited for Additional Dialogue, or as a Story Consultant. In some cases the original Screenwriter may be replaced entirely by another Screenwriter, in which case the original Screenwriter may then receive a "Screenstory by..." credit on the finished film.

Responsibilities
Screenwriters provide a blueprint onto which the Producer, Director, Production Designer, Composer and Editor, cast and crew can graft their creative efforts. Screenwriters must be able to write a screenplay in which the reader can 'see' the film unfold cinematically in their imagination. The screenplay must therefore not only feature fascinating characters, an exciting plot, and a great premise for a marketable film, but it must also conform to the logical principles of dramatic construction, as well as to industry expectations regarding format and style. Screenwriters must produce highly creative writing, to strict deadlines, and they need to work constructively with other members of the script development team to create a product that is likely to be financed and made.

Skills
Screenwriters must have an in-depth understanding of story, plot and narrative, and must also demonstrate the creative imagination required to project their vision on to the page, and to breathe life and individuality into their characters and the life-choices they make. They need to write visually, using sound and dialogue to support the action in order to create a credible and internally consistent story world. They need to understand how a screenwork manipulates and entertains its audience, and must be able to structure their work within a specific tone and genre to satisfy and transcend audience expectations. Screenwriters should be creative, dedicated, well organised, and capable of working as part of a team, to strict deadlines. They must be able to handle frequent rejection with equanimity. A large proportion of produced screen-works are Producer (not Screenwriter)-driven, and sometimes even superb screenplays do not get made. However, as writing a great screenplay can help Screenwriters to secure work on other projects, they must be both ambitious and realistic about their talents, the film industry, and their career prospects.

Qualifications/Experience
While no formal training is required to be a Screenwriter, Producers expect screenplays to be submitted in standard Mastershot format, and are unlikely to read submissions unless they are presented in this way. Prospective Screenwriters can attend one of a number of industry respected Screenwriting courses. More experienced Screenwriters may also wish to consider taking an MA in Screenwriting. Screenwriters must write a number of original short and feature screenplays 'on spec' (self-financed) in order to attract the attention of Producers and Agents. In addition to First Draft screenplays (a screenplay is always a First Draft screenplay until it is sold), Screenwriters should also prepare pitches, synopses and outlines, which may be required by Producers before they are prepared to read the screenplay itself.