Career Pitch Reflection
For this module, I was tasked with presenting a career pitch to exhibit my ambitions to succeed in my future career. I mentioned that I have already gained contacts in the film industry and have worked as a production/sound assistant on several short films. I also focused on the type of career I would like to pursue (a freelancing job in Editing and Videography). I have immense interests and extensive knowledge in these areas of Filmmaking and would like to pursue them as a career. I took part in Beyond Brontës, a mentorship initiative by Screen Yorkshire, where I began gaining contacts in the film industry and discovered a shortfall in the workforce in post-production and Editing.
I stated I would gain experience for this career path via working for and with industry professionals. I currently work with a production company based in Bradford who are becoming more reveared and acclaimed. I feel very fortunate at this point in my chosen career to have obtained contacts in the film industry who have given me opportunities to work on set and observe post-production processes. I gained these contacts via attending networking events and applying for mentorships as a mentee. Due to my passion for the industry, I am confident they will support me in my quest for work in Editing and Videography.
I also explored in detail employability rates in the film industry, as this is a contemporary issue within the film industry due to the rising usage of A.I (Artificial Intelligence). The UK is a huge stakeholder in the Film Industry. Many productions from overseas (usually the US), make their way to the UK to generate content for companies such as Disney, Netflix and Amazon Prime (Bendix, 2023). As of 2020, the UK film industry supports around 86,000 jobs, of which 75% (estimated) work in Film production and distribution (Bendix, 2023). With the rise of A.I becoming relevant to production companies in the UK and around the world, this number could decrease within the years to come (Bendix, 2023). In 2021, the Annual growth of income for the film industry was at 10.6%. Since then, due to the rise of A.I in the creative industries in general, it has decreased to 4.5%. It will continue to decrease by 2027 where it will have decreased by 1.7%, which will total at around 2.8% (PricewaterhouseCoopers, 2023).
I also examined paths to sustain ways of employability within the film industry. An effective way of sustaining work is via gaining contacts through networking. Networking is extremely important within the film industry. The industry works on a basis of good contacts obtained as well as knowledge and experience. I feel privileged to have association with several industry professionals including creative producer Casey Shaw and writer/director Jordon Scott Kennedy. Taking Part in mentorship schemes is also very aiding in the film industry. I had the privilege of taking part in filmmakers 25, a mentorship scheme where filmmakers are paired with a mentor with immense experience of working in the film industry. I was partnered up ultimately with Andrew Lurcuck, the head of True North’s post-production sector (True North Post).
I thoroughly examined my skills sets for growth in future career endeavours. My technological skills in editing are constantly improving. There are always new skills to be learned in my chosen field of filmmaking. If I am to improve anything, I need to work on my social skills as I have an A.S.D diagnosis (Autism Spectrum Disorder). I am able to communicate well in social spaces, however I do suffer from anxiety and other stresses due to social environments such as large crowds and immense networking events.
I should have explored in further detail how the statistics will affect my chances of gaining work in the film industry as a freelancer and how I will account for this taking place. I could have delved into further detail surrounding events taking place in Bradford in the coming months with city of culture 2025 and Screen Yorkshire accommodating more film productions in West Yorkshire, specifically Bradford. Also, Bradford won the accolade of UNESCO city of film, due to the city’s rich film heritage. I could have spoken in further detail on the pros and cons of being a freelancer in the film industry as work can be very limited. With this in mind the financial security of working for a large firm or long running drama may have its benefits. As much as I desire to be a freelancer, I may have to consider other options.
Overall, I feel I presented confidently; however, I could have pitched my selected career path differently without reading the information from the screen. I could have used a script like method of presenting instead. For future pitching or presenting, I will produce a script and present a more picture-based presentation instead of a text-based format. I’m satisfied that I managed to outline how I would obtain opportunities by being proactive in gaining work. I feel that I exhibited correct stats on the film industry’s employment statistics and produce in depth research on the subject. I also showed an in-depth understanding of the role of an editor as well as the salary bands that are attached. I could have chosen a different contemporary debate such as the current cost of living crisis that is affecting the UK in its current climate.
I feel I have made much improvement in my skills in pitching and presentation. I still have areas in need of improvement, however I feel immense confidence in my ability to present ideas to a mass audience and perpetuate them fluently to my peers for future endeavour.
Bibliography
Bendix, T. (2023) UK film industry statistics 2023, Social Films. Available at: https://www.socialfilms.co.uk/blog/uk-film-industry-statistics (Accessed: 11 December 2023).
PricewaterhouseCoopers, P. (2023) Perspectives and Insights: Global Entertainment and Media Outlook 2023–2027, PwC. Available at: https://www.pwc.com/gx/en/industries/tmt/media/outlook/insights-and-perspectives.html (Accessed: 11 December 2023).
