Jobs in Media and TV

Camera operator on location for a sporting event.

The amount of personnel needed to produce a single half-hour TV program might surprise the average viewer. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, (BLS), it requires hundreds of creative people to produce a film or TV show, from pre-production through production and finally into post-production. There are set designers, makeup people, camera operators, electricians, prop masters and the actors, just to list a few. The list of credits at the end of a program can give you an idea of the amount of people and different jobs involved in producing a TV program or film. Media jobs include employment opportunities in print, Internet and audio markets that require talented and creative people as well. Hundreds of jobs are available in media occupations such as book publishers, writers, musicians, newspaper reporters, photographers and magazine editors, and stage actors, just to list a few. Many job opportunities are available in the media and entertainment industries, all of them requiring talented and creative people.

Education

Print publications create multi-color layouts and glossy magazines.

Media and entertainment jobs range from caterers to executive producers, from electricians to photographers and beyond. Print media need writers, photographers, editors and pagination personnel, for example. The music industry needs singers, songwriters, musicians, and studio sound technicians, to name a few. Because of the broad range of job opportunities in the entertainment and media industries, the required level of education and training varies. Many positions only require on-the-job training or a high school diploma, while others require a master's or doctorate. Production assistants, for example, can be employed to work on a production with little or no experience at all. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, "making commercial-quality movies and video programs requires technical expertise and creativity."

Employment

Photographers on location.

According to the BLS, camera operators use video, motion picture and TV cameras to record shows and events. So even within a single job title are several different levels of expertise and responsibilities required to perform the necessary job functions to produce a TV program, motion picture or video. Video and audio editors edit raw camera footage according to the instructions of the show's director. The director reports to the executive producer who monitors production and budget expenses and reports to studio executives. Assistant directors, production assistants, stagehands and computer programmers also have production roles. Actors, directors, producers, screenwriters and several others play vital creative roles in the final production. Several employment opportunities in other forms of media overlap with those in TV. Music videos, magazine photo shoots, Internet presentations, videos and stage performances all require gifted people with imagination and creativity to accomplish a common goal. Magazines and newspapers depend on editors, writers, reporters, photographers and a host of other people to create the finished product.

Nature of the Job

Internet and streaming media.

Producing TV programs requires creative people who can work in any given environment. Programs are filmed on location and in studios; some programs are created solely on computers. The environment in which a program is produced and created is dictated by the subject material being recorded for presentation. Photographers and musicians work on location or in studio settings as well. Magazine and newspaper reporters are often required to travel to search out the stories they cover.

Earnings

Different jobs earn different rates of pay.

Earnings vary with each job description and level of involvement and education. BLS figures report the median annual wage for motion picture, video and TV camera operators for the reporting period of May 2008 as $41,670. The median annual wages for the same period for audio and video equipment technicians was $38,050. According to tvjob.com, production assistants with a major affiliate earn $16,000 with only a year of experience. Many people work in media fields on a contractual or freelance basis, so income varies according to the contract, per project or assignment. A large percentage of media-related jobs require extensive travel and the skills of highly specialized individuals. These people often work for a number of different companies during the year because of demand for specially trained workers.

Employment Outlook

Employment opportunties vary.

Competition for these jobs in the broadcast and entertainment industry is expected to be high due to the large number of people seeking to begin a career in related fields. Job opportunities will be greater in locations where there are more programs being produced. Many creative people are turning to the Internet to work as freelance writers, photographers, reporters and copy editors.

References

• BLS.gov: Broadcast and Sound Engineering
• TVjobs.com: Salaries
• BLS.gov: Television Video and Motion Picture Camera Operators