Post production
Post-production is the fastest growing area of the audio visual industry in London. It includes everything that happens to a film, television programme or advert after the cameras stop rolling to make it ready to be shown to the public. In the industry this area is often referred to simply as “post”.
After something has been shot (filmed at a studio or on location) the post-production process will usually involve editing the pictures and grading them (adjusting the colours). It may also include adding visual effects, titles, animation and (if it’s going to be shown in cinemas) making a finished print for projection.
The picture editing (deciding what to use in which order) is normally completed first. Then any effects are added or the picture is altered. Another part of the post production industry is also important at this point – sound. The amount of work put into sound often surprises people. Taking the original sound recorded during filming, adding sound effects and music, and mixing it all together properly can take as long as getting the picture right.
Film and television related courses and careers
Further information on Film and television related courses available in the UK.
For more information about opportunities for gaining film-related skills in London.
The careers site of the Sector Skills Council for the Audio Visual Industries.
Working in post production
Experience from study at a London college can be helpful for finding work. Many people working in this area start as runners. As much of the work involves sitting in front of very expensive computers, it is the job of the runners to make sure everything they need to do their job is brought to them as soon as they need it. This includes tapes, disks and most of all – refreshments!
If you're interested in becoming a runner...
The “virtual runner game” on the Framestore CFC website. For a light-hearted look at life as a runner...
Tips, advice and information for people interested in becoming a runner for a facilities house.
The important thing about being a runner, is that you also learn about how the company works, and can use the equipment when it’s free, to learn how it works. As you become more experienced, you can move up to a more senior role. In fact, in any post production house, many of the senior staff started this way.
To find out more about what it’s like to work in more senior roles, there are case studies of two different jobs below:
More senior roles...
Find out more about this role on the Skillset website
Find out more about this role on the Skillset website
Many of the larger companies have open door recruitment policies, which means you are always able to apply for a runners job. If they have nothing available at the time they will keep your details on file in case something becomes available.
Key employers
For a list of currently available positions see the jobs section of their site.
Or if you’re interested in becoming a runner, you can send your CV and showreel if you have one, direct to jobs@framestore-cfc.com, but you must fill in a standard form to accompany it – see their site to download it.
Owned by Kodak, Cinesite is one of the largest post production houses. They advertise jobs on their website.
To find out about jobs available, choose either HTML or Flash site, click on “About MPC” and “Recruitment” where they list all their jobs currently available. In addition you can contact them directly at recruitment@moving-picture.com
Large post-production company owned by directors Sir Ridley Scott and Tony Scott. Click on “recruitment” for a list of currently available jobs.
As well as larger companies, there are many smaller companies who specialise in certain parts of the post production process. The traditional way of getting work in these is to go in and hand them your CV (and smile!).
Smaller post production companies
For a list of post production companies click on "post-production".
Framestore CFC Visual effects
Framestore CFC is a “post production house”. Most of its work involves creating visual effects. These can be very advanced – like creating the animated robots in the Chemical Brothers video “Believe” or bring the Basilisk to life in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. Often, though, their work goes unnoticed in the final product – removing wires or stray pieces of equipment from shots, to removing shadows and matching lighting between different shots taken on different days.
Most of the work in visual effects is done by converting the original film or video into data and then manipulating it in highly powered computers, using specialist software. You can learn to use some of these programmes, and the basic principles behind all the techniques used in the post production industry, at a London college.
