Career In Television Industry

To be part of the TV industry an intense interest in the visual medium, a creative outlook, talent, skill and determination are required. Everybody who enters this sector generally does it of his /her own choice and hence the motivation is high. Chances of success and failure are evenly balanced hence an ability to take risks , withstand stress , bear with critics will essentially be required.
People who opt for the medium seek self expression through these mediums hence success could be immensely satisfying.

Introduction
Television & Films are the most popular entertainment mediums. The entertainment industry is expected to cross the 100,000 crore mark by the next decade as this sector is growing at a steady pace with the music industry touching the 3.5 thousand crore mark. Film and television software exports have seen an upturn and infotainment programmes are gaining popular appeal. The charm of the glamour industry has been alive and shall continue to attract the creative performers within its fold.

Nature of Work

TV/Radio
Programming -Programming in the electronic media involves production and technical operations. While production encompasses technical work, technical operations relates more to the use of machines. At the production end is the Producer who is the overall incharge of a programme. He thinks of an idea, conceptualizes the programme, chooses the artists, decides the format and coordinates the translation of ideas and information into a programme suitable for the audio or audiovisual medium.

Production Assistant - He is responsible for contacting talents getting contracts cleared in official agencies, arranging for the unit, transportation, studio requirements etc.

Scriptwriters - Any programme on radio or television requires a script and screen play. Writing for the electronic media again calls for a special approach. Formal training helps in effective writing. Openings on casual basis exist in abundance.

Stages of Script : The following will give a fair idea about stages a script passes through:

* Conception - A seed is sown in the author's mind either through an experience that has moved him / her personally or through a suggestion from some body else.

* Synopsis : An outline of the story - for a 13 episode TV serial. This is normally about 15 pages long.

* Showing it to a director : who gives his suggestions based on its commercial viability.

* Scene Division : Deciding on the sequence and location of scenes, which episodes the climaxes are in etc.

* Dialogues, development of relationships among the characters and finding a director - Ideally, a director and writer should together conceive the whole project, so that they are in complete agreement over interpretation. Some alterations in the script may be made, based on the director's suggestions.

* Casting : The director usually chooses the cast, although ideally it should be a joint decision by the director and the writer.

* This is where the script writer's role ends and the director takes over.

* There are several writer who work just for the money. The credit for the script goes to somebody else, while the ghost writer gets paid per story.

Researchers - The Electronic Media also calls for researchers. The content of programme is researched by a subject expert (a university lecturer, educationist, research assistant or scientist). The field researcher studies the impact of a programme in certain areas or in certain target viewers.

A media researcher advices the format in which an information should be presented it could be documentary / feature / play / folk form or a combination.

Beauticians :- Anyone appearing before the strong lights of TV needs his or her face touched up to suit the camera. A recognised beautician course may be required for employment with doordarshan or private production units.

Set Designer - If you have a Degree in Fine Applied Arts, you could design sets for studio recording. Experience in stage production is an asset. A degree in commercial art may help to branch out in computer graphics. Simple captions, line drawings, portraits, animated diagrams and illustrations enliven any program.

Sound Engineer and Camera Person - Production on radio involves mainly the Sound Engineer on the technical front. After recording the different ingredients - statements, interviews, sound effects, commentary and music - required for a programme on a multiple track tape recorder, the Sound Engineer puts them all together in the required sequence and proportion, in other words, edits the programme on the directions of the Producer. It is now ready for broadcast.

On television the technical operations are more elaborate. Havng a visual component, television production essentially calls for a cameraperson. Imagination, aptitude for photography and skill, besides a steady hand, go to make a good camera person.

The Vision Mixer - In studio recordings the vision mixer has an important role to play, he is also expected to be a graduate in Physics or Electronics. He must be alert to act upon commands and use his fingers dexterously to get the 'effect' right. A creative use of effects such as 'wipes', 'dissolves', 'cuts', superimpositions' is required.

Announcers and newscasters -Announcers and newscasters are the most familiar of the many occupations in Radio and Television broadcasting. Announcers at television stations and large radio stations usually specialize in a particular kind of programming such as sports events, general news broadcasts or weather reports. They must be thoroughly familiar with these areas and, if a written script is required, may do the research and writing.

The news anchor or a pair of co-anchors present the day's important news stories. Throughout the broadcast, the anchors, also called newscasters, introduce videotaped news or live transmissions from on the -scene reporters that provide indepth information on the event being covered.

A newsreader is expected to have qualifications similar to those of the announcer with added emphasis on general awareness and good pronounciation. Since news is always 'live' quick responses to unexpected situations is required.

Reporters and correspondents TV news

People with a good command over language and a feel for the medium are recruited for these positions to feed information from various places.

Correspondents are employed by PTI and by video magazines .A Degree or Diploma in Journalism or Mass Communication is necessary.

The electronic news gathering unit consists of the camera, a portable video tape recorder, lights and microphone. So, besides the cameraperson, the services of a sound recordist who operates the video tape recorder and a camera assistant who handles the lights are required. The sound recordist is designated as 'engineering assistant'.

Editor

After the camera work has been completed, the statements and interview recorded, the musical scores chosen, in other words when you have all the raw stock ready, it is the editor's job to prune, put in sequence, juxtapose and highlight the shots even while inserting the commentary, sound effects and music to correlate with the visuals. The sophisticated machines available for editing these days allow a variety of 'post production' effects which can meaningfully add to the impact of the programme. The editor's creative inputs and skill can make or mar a programme.

Video Journalism

Video journalism is a very powerful medium. Understandably many from the varied fields of journalism are drawn to this medium. The content may be the same but often video magazine work is closer to film making than to the print medium. It needs most essentially the journalist to beat the right place at the right time with all his wits around him.

Work Conditions

Long working hours

Considerable waiting may be required because actors must wait for parts or filming schedules

Frequent travel.

Evening work is a regular part of a stage actor's life

Flawless performances require tedious memorising of lines and repetitive rehearsals

On television, actors must deliver a good performance with very little preparation

An actor needs stamina to withstand the heat of stage or studio lights, the long, irregular hours, and the adverse weather conditions that may exist 'on location.

When plays are 'on the road', travelling is necessary.

Actors often face the anxiety of intermittent employment and rejections when auditioning for work.

Directors and producers often work under stress as they try to meet schedules, stay within budgets, and resolve personnel problems.

Personal Qualities

A strong will, determination and love for what you are doing will be needed to continue after many rejections.

Working on a production, you have to function as a member of a team.

Work takes long hours, including evenings and weekends, sometimes in bad weather.

You need to stay calm under pressure, be creative and open to new ideas and suggestions.

Breaking into the film industry is not easy, no matter how much training you have.

There is a lot of competition for jobs. You need to be aggressive, adaptable and determined.

You have to keep trying - without that determination and perseverance chances of succeeding are low.

Entry routes

Programmers : For the Doordarshan, producers, may be recruited directly or appointed through promotions. Induction is through UPSC on the basis of subject specialisation and then a short training is given. Generally, skills can be mastered through training programme in select institutions.

Program assistants: The official media recruits them directly from Graduates / Post Graduates with knowledge of a regional language besides English / Hindi, cultural traditions of India and the region and production sense. There is plenty of scope for freelancing both in official as well as in private production. Selection is on the basis of an interview.

Sound Engineer and Camera Person - The Sound Engineer is required to be a Graduate in Physics or Electronics. An early interest in photography helps. Degree or Diploma Courses in Cinematography are available in three major institutions in Inida - indeed, these are considered among the best in world. A five-year Degree Course after 10+2 or pre-university or a three year Diploma course after graduation are offered by the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) Pune, the Film and Television Institute of Tamil Nadu, Madras, the Bangalore Institute of Film and Television Technology, Bangalore. Besides, training in the field is also imparted by the Mass Communication Research Centre at Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi. Polytechnics offer courses in photography. Generaly, a science background at +2 level is preferred for admission to the Cinematography courses.

Qualified and highly skilled camera persons are not easily available; as such many productions fall below standard in visual impact. Hence, this is a potential field for growth and expertise.

The Vision Mixer

In studio recrodings the vision mixer has an important role to play, he is also expected to be a graduate in Physics or Electronics. He must be alert to act upon commands and use his fingers dexterously to get the 'effect' right.

Transmission Executives- A written examination is conducted by the Staff Selection Committee (SSC) organised by the UPSC. The selection of these officials is conducted zonally and postings are given within their zone of recruitment. Transmission Executives in Doordarshan undergo the same process of recruitment. The News Team

Announcers and newscasters- Selection is made on the basis of a written test in (AIR), voice test, screen test (on TV) and interview. The test may involve writing announcements, presentation of scripts for special programmes, audiences, etc.

A newsreader is expected to have qualifications similar to those of the announcer with added emphasis on general awareness and good pronounciation. Since news is always 'live' quick responses to unexpected situations is required.

Entry into private productions is possible as commentators, comperes, interviewers and script readers.

Engineering Assistant - B.Sc. in Physics Electronics or a Diploma Holder in Electronics. The camera assistant is required to have passed the 10+2. The camera assistant generally learns on the job and quite often graduates to the position of a cameraperson. A steady hand is a must for becoming a camera assistant as he may be required to hold up lights for a long time at a stretch.

Editor- Professional training can be attained after graduation, preferably in science subjects. The best places are Pune, Bangalore and Madras Institutes. Jamia Millia Islamia imparts adequate training in the field in its master of Mass Communication course.

Courses

Direction
Film and Television Institute of India, Law College Road, Pune 411004
Courses
Basic Course in Film & Television (1 year)