Welsh Film Industry & Career Choices

Wales has been a large contributing country to the TV and Film industry because of our wonderful landscapes, its not just that though we also have a few world class studios and a history of producing television shows that appeal to a large variety of audiences for example Doctor Who which is the longest-running science fiction television show.

There are 53,000 people who are employed in the creative industries in wales however there are many skills gaps. For example there are skill gaps in the Welsh Language, technical skills, sales and marketing and especially in VFX.

The career paths I have chosen are:

• Film Director
• Camera Operator
• Screen Writer

Film Director

A Director is the main body of any film or television show. The Directors work very closely with producers and the screenwriters to make someones idea and dream have a visual representation. Directors needs to understand the significance of scenes and how to shoot them. Directors also have the power to change the structure of a scene or even make a directors version of the script to change the pace or to create dramatic tension. The directors version of the script is also what all crew members work off of. Directors are responsible for both the creative and technical aspects of the production where they work to the projects budget, keeping the production under control and creating a safe and creative environment for the crew and actors.

Skills needed to be a director:

• Ability to form ideas and to think visually.
• Ability to create a clear and creative style for the production.
• Great attention to detail.
• Very methodical and calm when it comes to working in a high stress environment.
• Knowledge with the entire production process.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Able to lead and motivate their actors and crew.
• They must have initiative and problem-solving.
• Able to see the broader picture and meaning.
• Ability to have diplomacy and sensitivity when it comes to working with writers, producers, actors and crew members.
• Knowledge of health and safety procedures.

Camera Operator

Camera Operators follow the DoP (Director of Photography) and the Director with shot compositions and they are responsible for all the aspects of camera operation and the preparation for the shoot. Its important for camera operators to keep watching and analysing new Television shows and Films to keep up to date with trends and styles of the modern media. Also many camera operators will develop additional skills such as using a steadicam, aerial shots and underwater experience to improve employ ability.

The skills needed to be a camera operator are:

• Need to have an artistic vision.
• Strong creativity and attention to detail.
• Have an eye when it comes to colour and lighting.
• Good technical knowledge of digital processes and camera equipment.
• Knowledge of photography, painting and of moving image.
• Physical coordination and strength.
• Having the ability to accept and give direction.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Knowledge of relevant health and safety procedures.

Screenwriter or Scriptwriter

Screenwriters provide a blueprint which the producers, director, production designers, composers and editors, cast and crew use to make an idea be able to turn into a visual and where a reader can see it cinematically. The screenplay does not only have fascinating characters it must also have an exciting plot with a great premise for a marketable film however, it must have logical principles and a dramatic construction, as well as a industry format and style. Screenwriters must produce a highly creative screenplay with originality.

Skills a Screenwriter/Scriptwriter needs:

• A strong understanding of film narrative, and knowledge of different audiences tastes and trends from the past and future.
• A passion for cinema and film making.
• Ability to search out new types of talent and creative relationships.
• Excellent all-round communication skills.
• Able to sort out story problems using creativity, discretion and great flexibility.
• Keen insight into all aspects of screenplay tones, genre, style, structure, character, plot, action and dialogue.
• An understanding of development for example log lines, premises, synopses, beat outlines, step outlines, treatments and rough drafts.
• A strong understanding of how to use dramatist’s tools such as comic irony, suspense, mystery and dramatic tension.

When it comes to choosing only one career path I find it very difficult to do that. The reason why that is comes from me being used to doing everything when I have created short films in the past, I created the scripts and storyboards, I directed the production, acted in some of them and then did all the post production and posted them on my YouTube channel. Originally I wanted to be an actor but then I grew a strong passion in photography and creating short films and animations and my dream of becoming an actor faded away and I wanted to ‘make my own films’ however, before I joined this course I did not realise how hard it really is to make your own films yourself. Really I’d primarily want to be an auteur, for example Quentin Tarantino the creator of amazing films such as Kill Bill, Pulp Fiction, Django Unchained, Reservoir Dogs and many more is not just the director, he writes the scripts, directs the actors, probably operates the camera and he also acts in a few and that is what I hopefully will do but I do understand it is very rare to have that chance.

So when it comes to figuring out what career path I want to do I would say that I would choose being a director however when it comes to university I have an idea. My idea is to study in a directing course for how many years, then after that study on a course for script writing, then camera operating and finally post production editing. Now I understand that doing that will have me be in university for 6 years or even more, but I believe that doing that will give me more of a chance at getting more jobs and starting a career as an auteur like I want to and have full creative control of films I want to make. Granted I will not be able to be an auteur straight after I have finished college and I will have to publish my own scripts to producers, directing someone else’s film idea or be an editor for someones production, but doing that will allow me to progress in reaching my goal and getting the career I want.