CREATIVE AND MEDIA PRODUCTION

LEVEL 3 EXTENDED DIPLOMA

Understanding the Creative Media Sector

Unit 7 LO1; LO2; LO3; LO4; LO5

Sarah Wilson & Adam Jones

Date Issued: 9th November 2015

Final Deadline: 12th February 2016

Aim and Purpose

This unit aims to give learners an understanding of the creative media

sector. The unit covers the sector’s industries and their ownership, and legal and

regulatory issues. Learners will also develop an understanding of employment

opportunities, working conditions and how to apply for work in the media sector.

Unit Introduction

The media industries are expanding on a national and global level. Recruitment to

the sector has accelerated offering new professional opportunities. There are more

people working in the media today than in any other employment sector.

Developments over the last two decades have also taken place across the sector in

response to technological changes, with a notable impact on media production,

distribution and patterns of employment. Other wider developments include

deregulation and the debate over the status and funding of public service

broadcasting. The ongoing developments in digital media technology are creating

a highly mixed and competitive environment. All these developments will affect

those seeking employment in the media sector.

In this unit learners will develop an understanding of the professional practices

essential to working in any of the media industries. Learners will understand that

media industries are diverse and made up of many different organisational

structures which operate at a local, national and global level. Learners will gain an

essential understanding of employment opportunities and job roles in the sector and

will think about how they can become skilled and multi-skilled through training and

professional development. They will also develop some knowledge of financial issues

and ownership trends.

The unit will enable learners to understand their professional role within a set of legal

and ethical constraints.

They will learn about the regulatory issues and organisations relevant to media

industries, which determine both the scope of and limitations on professional

practice.

Guidance:

Create tabs on website

Unit 7

U7 LO1

U7 LO2 & LO3

U7 LO4 & LO5

Referencing: Please make sure all research is referenced – any work being

plagiarised will fail

http://www.wikihow.com/Cite-a-Website - Guidance can be found here

U7 LO1: Understand the structure and ownership of the

media sector

Deadline: 1A – 27th November 2015

1B – 26th November 2015

1C – 26th November 2015

LO Aim: To comprehensively explain the structure and ownership of the

media sector with reference to elucidated examples.

Task Description:

Vibe Productions have been asked to interview potential employees in the

media industry. In order for your interview to be successful, it is important that

you understand your chosen sector and the

structure of ownership within it.

This assignment requires you to undertake in-depth

research on your individual area that you wish to

pursue a career in.

An individually written report will be produced from

this research, addressing areas such as ownership,

integration and competitors.

Task 1: Research

Individually research your chosen sector. Make comprehensive notes on the

structure of your chosen sector with supporting examples.

For example: If you have chosen to be a producer for Hollywood studios you would

look at the Big 8 studios - Fox / Paramount / Disney etc.. and discuss the following

You are now required to RESEARCH (Add examples of your research to your weebly

page – pictures / print screens etc..) and make NOTES on the research (print out

research and highlight areas / write over pieces of work / photocopy books etc..

and upload this work as forms of note taking)

Task 2: Write Research Piece

You are now required to write a research piece on

your chosen sector. Your piece should cover all of

the following.

Private ownership

Multinationals

Independents

Conglomerates

Cross-media

Vertical and horizontal integration

Share of ownership

Mergers and takeovers

Cross-media regulation

Sources of income

Product diversity

Profitability of product range

Organisational objectives

Licenses and franchises

Competitors

Customers

National and global competition and trends

U7 LO2: Understand ethical and legal constraints

within the media sector

U7 LO3: Understand the regulation of the media sector

Deadline: Your 3rd Unit 7 lesson – week commencing 14th December 2015

LO Aim: To comprehensively explain ethical and legal constraints and

regulatory issues affecting the media sector with reference to elucidated

examples.

Task Description

For you to work effectively in your chosen sector of the industry, it is essential

you know the relevant legal and regulatory guidelines.

All work produced in this industry must follow a fairly strict set of rules. This is to

avoid being sued for things such as defamation and libel, whilst also fairly

representing those who work for a company and those being portrayed.

For this assignment, you will undertake in-depth research and produce a

written report on how your chosen sector deals with these issues.

Task 1: Research

Individually research the legal, ethical and regulatory constraints within your

chosen sector.

You MUST make notes with supporting examples, as these will also be

uploaded.

Task 2: Written Research Piece

In order to get the job you are required to understand the following within the

media sector your have chosen. During the interview you will be asked to

hand over a written document containing information on the following

aspects of your area.

Video Recording Act

Copyright Law

Films Act

Ethical Issues

Representation of Gender

Representation of Religion

Relevant Regulatory Bodies

Regulation

U7 LO4: Know about employment opportunities and job

roles in the media sector

U7 LO5: Be able to prepare personal career development

material

Deadline: LO4 to be completed by 3rd lesson – week commencing 25th

January 2016

LO5 Interviews to take place during lessons –week commencing 1st February

2016

LO4 Aim: To comprehensively explain employment opportunities and job

roles in the media sector with reference to elucidated examples.

LO5 Aim: To prepare personal career development material to a quality that

reflects near professional standards, consistently using correct formal

language.

Task Description

Following the extensive research of your chosen

sector, you need to fully prepare for your chosen

job application.

Being fully prepared for an interview significantly

improves your chances of success.

For this assignment, you are required to find a

current ‘live’ job to apply for. To prepare for your

interview you will complete a covering letter, a CV and

a show reel in order to sell yourself to the company.

You will be interviewed as if applying for the job, in which you will be required

to discuss the issues you have been researching over the previous 3 learning

objectives.

Task 1:

Research: You will be asked the following questions in your job interview.

Find out the answers and make notes on your weebly page. You must know these

answers for your job (you are not allowed to take notes in with you)

How many people are employed in your chosen media sector?

What are the different roles available in this sector? (Creative, technical,

editorial, marketing, managerial, administrative, legal, financial)

What are the requirements of getting into jobs like this? Education / career

development

Task 2:

Applying for a job

Find out the difference between Freelance, permanent and casual work within your

chosen sector

Task 3:

Where can you apply for media based jobs? Look at careers fairs / newspapers /

trade magazine.

Make a list of these locations / print screen them and add them to your weebly

page

Task 4:

Apply for it (in theory)

You are now required to put a CV and covering letter together for the job focusing

on all your skills you have learned over the past few years (both personal and

professional)

Put either a show reel together or use your weebly website as a portfolio (your

website will be marked on its presentation and content / layout / design)

Research all the elements of the job and upload these along with your CV to LO4 /5

Task 5:

Turn up for your job interview (see allocated time slots below).You must be dressed

appropriately (look at the company – they may or may not want suited and

booted).

Bring you CV and covering letter

Be prepared to answer questions on the industry

You will be asked to produce a show reel / website of your work

Written document on the regulatory bodies and the issues they face with regard to

ethics

An understanding of the business and how mergers and integration takes place

within your sector

The interviews will take place during your lessons and will last 10 minutes each.

1A

Monday 1st February 2016

Jack 14:30 James

Callum 14:45

Jason 15:00

Josh 15:15

Isla 15:30

Oskar 15:45

Thursday 4th February 2016

Matt 14:30 James

Charlotte K 14:45

Sam 15:00

Kieran 15:15

Shane 15:30

Lucy 15:45

Friday 5th February 2016

Amelia 10:30 James

Some of these are during lunchtime –

you must still attend

Charlotte W 10:45

Tara 11:00

Seb 11:15

Emily 11:30

Faryal 11:45

Victoria 12:00

Charlotte P 12:15

1B

onday 1st February 2016

Lachlan 13:05 Alan

Linus 13:20

Sam 13:35

Rosina 13:50

Claire 14:05

Tuesday 2nd February 2016

Henry 10:30 Alan

Owen 10:45

Cameron 11:00

Jacob 11:15

Niamh 11:30

Daniel 11:45

Thursday 4th February 2016

Millie 8:50 Alan

Joe 9:05

Byron 9:20

Honor 9:35

George 9:50

Ellie 10:05

1C

Monday 1st February 2016

Harry J 13:00 Adam

Dominic 13:15

Denis 13:30

Max 13:45

Josh 14:00

Tuesday 2nd February 2016

Lucy 14:35 Lisa

Darcey 14:50

Morgan 15:05

Louis 15:20

Bradley 15:35

Edie 15:50

Thursday 4th February 2016

Harry D 14:35 Adam

Isabella 14:50

Alec 15:05

Adam 15:20

Sam 15:35

Cherry 15:50

Resources

Textbooks

Baylis P, Freedman A, Procter N et al – BTEC Level 3 National Creative Media

Production, Student Book

Baylis P, Freedman A, Procter N et al – BTEC Level 3 National Creative Media

Production, Teaching Resource Pack

Baylis P, Holmes P, Starkey G – BTEC National in Media Production

Branston G, Stafford R – The Media Students Book

Briggs A, Cobley P – The Media: An Introduction

Holt J, Perren A – Media Industries: History, Theory, and Method

Nicol A, and Robertson G – Media Law

O’Sullivan, T Dutton, Rayner B– Studying the Media: An Introduction

Sumner D, Rhoades S – Magazines: A Complete Guide to the Industry

Websites

www.asa.org.uk

www.bbc.co.uk/jobs/workexperience/index.shtml

www.bbc.co.uk/mediacareersday.co.uk

www.bbfc.co.uk

www.bfi.org.uk

www.bima.co.uk

www.dcf.org.uk

www.ivca.org

www.journalism.co.uk

www.nmk.co.uk

www.nuj.co.uk

www.ofcom.org.uk

www.pact.co.uk

www.skillset.org.uk

www.vlv.org.uk

Grading Criteria