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