task 2&3 media jobs

Background artist (Extra)


a background artist or Extra is someone who is used during filming be it television, film or productional video. they are usually used as part of a crowd or a large number of extras will be hired to be in the background of a war scene in a film or to be random people drinking in a pub. they are not usually hired to have lines or do anything that will make them stand out incredibly much but are used to keep a film or TV show looking more like real life. the responsibilities of an extra vary very much depending on what is rerquired of them. sometimes there will be a large number of people doing the same thing e.g walking down a street or sometimes there might be a scene where an extra will be arrested or shot all depending on what is needed to make the scene. being an extra is very interesting because it is a wonderful experience and you can learn lots of things about filming and even acting. it can be a very hard or easy experience all depending on the film. Some extras have been known to be paid up to £15 an hour usually that is if they are only required once, however on low budget films when an extra will be needed for a substansionaly more amount of scenes the pay may be less to compensate the budget. the word extra is generally just the standard way of explaining an extra but the full professional name is background artist which does help people feel more important and involved and is more accurate and needs less explanation. Casting criteria for background actors depend on the production. Becoming a background actor often requires little to no acting experience; punctuality, reliability and the ability to take direction may figure more prominently than talent.There are several casting agencies that specialize only in background work. When hiring background actors, casting directors generally seek out those with specific "looks" that will contribute to the ambiance desired for the film, for instance, "high school students", "affluent senior citizens", etc. Casting directors may also look for background actors that possess special skills needed for the scene, such as roller blading or dancing. In the United States, most major film and television productions used to fall under the jurisdiction of the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) or AFTRA. The two unions have merged into Sag-Aftra. The UK equivalent for actors is called Equity. However, on films in the UK the majority of background actors work under agreements negotiated by the Film Artists Association (FAA Division of BECTU).


SAG-signatory producers are allowed to hire non-union background actors after a certain number of SAG performers have been cast; non-union background actors are usually paid the minimum wage. On productions outside of union jurisdiction, payment for background actors is at the discretion of the producers, and ranges from union-scale rates to "copy and credit" (i.e., no pay). Those producers who do not pay their actors may be in violation of state and federal laws about minimum wage for a job.
Between 1946 and 1992, background actors in film and television were largely represented by the Screen Extras Guild. SEG was disbanded on 1 June 1992 and transferred its jurisdiction to SAG.




screen writers


screen writers write scripts that can be used  for  films or television programmes. they have to usually create a story themselfs or they can adapt on what someone else has done. Screenwriters or scriptwriters or scenario writers are writers who practise the craft of screenwriting, writing screenplays on which mass media such as films, television programs, comics or video games are based.Screenwriting is a freelance profession. No education is required to become a professional screenwriter but good storytelling abilities are required. Screenwriters are not hired employees, they are contracted freelancers. Most, if not all, screenwriters start their careers writing on speculation (spec), meaning they write without being hired or paid for it. When such a script is sold, it is called a spec script. What separates a professional screenwriter from an amateur screenwriter is that professional screenwriters are usually represented by a talent agency. Also, professional screenwriters do not work for free often, an amateur will often work for free and are considered writers "in training". Spec scripts are usually penned by unknown professional screenwriters and amateur screenwriters. There are a legion of would-be screenwriters who attempt to enter the film industry but it often takes years of trial-and-error, failure, and gritty persistence to achieve success.

Every screenplay and teleplay begins with an idea, and screenwriters use those ideas to write scripts, with the intention of selling them and having them produced.The majority of the time, a film project gets initiated by a screenwriter and because they initiated the project, the writing assignment exclusively becomes his or hers. These are referred to as "exclusive" assignments or "pitched" assignments. Screenwriters who often pitch new projects, whether original or an adaptation, often do not have to worry about competing for assignments and are often more successful. When word is put out about a project a film studio, production company, or producer wants done, these are referred to as "open" assignments. Open assignments are more competitive. In situations where screenwriters are competing for an open assignment, more established writers will usually win these assignments. A screenwriter can also be approached and personally offered a writing assignment.Video game writing is also considered to be a form of screenwriting. Some film and television writers also work in this industry. screen writers get paid either in advance to writing a script or they can forfit thier script as an investment if a film is succesful once the script is made into a film.