Trade unions

Unit 8 Understanding Film and Television 

Trade unions, Freelance and Editorial Guidelines

Activity 1

Watch the You tube video  and answer the following question 
  copy and paste this into your blog and answer the question  (http://youtu.be/iz-2P13IK9E)  go to 2:16 on the video

Why did the BBC Strike? 

The bbc did a strike because of job cuts,job load and bullying.

Activity 2 

Watch the you tube video and answer the question: (http://youtu.be/0vwcF6KI7GM)
Why did the American writers strike?


Activity 3

Using the website www.creativeskillet.co.uk and http://www.bbc.co.uk/editorialguidelines
and answer the following questions on a new post called Unit 8 Understanding Film and Television Industries. 

Trade Unions

1. what trade unions can you join if you work in the media and film industry? 

BECTU is the UK's trade union for media and entertainment. The types of media covered include broadcasting, film, independent production, theatre arts, leisure and digital media. The union is a great thing to join as it offers mainly job protection and it improves pay and conditions of service, including pensions.  

2. why is it important to join a trade union, what can they do for you? 

3. what examples can you find of strikes or other trade union action (look for writers guild strikes in USA), why did they strike, did it impact any productions?

freelance contracts

4. what does it mean to be a freelancer in the media?

5. what types of freelance contracts are there?

6. what types of film or media contracts (short term/fixed term/ first refusal)

editorial guidelines

7. explain what an editorial guideline is 

 Editorial guidelines are the BBC's values and standards. They apply to all the content we receive, no matter how or where we receive it. It is very important for producers to work under guidelines so that they make sure their productions are suitable for broadcasting and reach the requirements of their targeted TV channels.  

look at the following link and summarise the guidelines for two or three of the subheadings

8. why is it important for a television producer to work under guidelines.

Pros 

•  Flexibility 
• Always working on something different  
• Get to work with different companies  
• Good way to get known in the industry  
•  Meeting new people. 
• Holidays

Cons  

• You have to work based on what the contract tells you. 
• Not having a stable employer. 
• Cash flow. You have to keep finding work. 
• Not always working for the same agency/company. 
• If you have a bad record its going to be hard to find work. 
• Sorting your own tax out.

Activity 4 Read the article and write the advantages and disadvantages of a freelance contract.  Create a blog with your answers on. Be prepared to discuss this in class. 



Activity 5 

Copy and paste the You Tube video on BBFC (http://youtu.be/NjGPvOV3wv4), and answer the questions

Who are the BBFC and what do they do? 

The BBFC (British Board of Film Classification) is the organisation that set the boundaries on our TV programmes and films which tell us what sort of content is included. The ratings range from U (safest) to R18 (most unsafe).

What can you/can't you show in a PG, 12A and 15? 

Drug Taking 
Sex 
Nudity  
Strong language  
Violence.