Studying and working in Media audio / visual
Definition
The Media audio/visual industries are part of the Creative Industries. They include everything from animation to advertising, corporate productions (things made for companies like training videos or product demonstrations, which they distribute themselves) to photo imaging, facilities companies (who provide equipment and specialist skills) to film, and from interactive media (like this website) to television.
The Media audio/visual industries are a major employer in the UK, and the industry is growing, particularly in London.
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Media audio/visual in London
The Media and audio visual industries are very important to London. The city is a global media centre, and companies in this area usually compete internationally. The media also have crossovers with many other industries, so it’s important to be close to financial areas, big business and the government.
Some facts about the media in London
Media industries in London generate around £21bn for the economy annually.
46% of the UK’s media businesses are based in London and over 125,000 Londoners work in the industry – the same as the rest of the UK put together.
85% of British film activity takes place in or around the capital making it the third largest film making centre in the world - even bigger than Bollywood!
Major employers like the BBC and BSkyB, as well as most of the big film studios like Pinewood and Shepperton are in or around London. Most special effects companies (a part of the post-production industry) are in the capital and it is where the British advertising industry is based. Photography agencies, animation companies and interactive media producers (including computer games design companies) are also based in London.
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As well as being financially important to the capital, this sector is also of cultural importance. The way we see the world is shaped by the things the people in these industries make.
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There is a tendency to think of the part of the media we see, TV presenters, actors, news reporters. But they make up a very small proportion of the total workforce. The industry needs employees in many other areas. In addition, many of the industry’s “on screen” talent started work in other areas of the business.
Jobs and Careers
The media audio visual industries are one of the fastest growing sectors in the capital. One fifth of new jobs created in London are in the creative industries.
Many people work freelance in media. This is particularly the case in London where the larger number of potential employers makes this easier. However for freelancers to acquire new skills they have to pay for training themselves, and often find it hard to make the time in case it means missing out on a job. Across the industry there is high demand for young people with the right skills.
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Traditionally the media has been seen as a difficult industry to get into. It is competitive and if you want to work in an editorial role you will probably be expected to have a university degree. All jobs require a certain level of technical proficiency and good levels of English and Maths are particularly important.
However, the industry now increasingly offers and recognises training schemes and qualifications for a variety of jobs. These include everything from sound engineers - requiring sciences and engineering skills - to production managers - who need budgeting, communication and negotiation skills.
The industry also needs more broadcast engineers, business managers and lawyers specialising in intellectual property.
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