unit 2 task 4 resub

 Henrietta Ashworth, Screenwriter - (Killing Eve, Firebrand): 

What is your job role, and what other major roles are available within your industry?  

I am screenwriter - and there are many different roles- actor, director, producer (of which there are many kinds including exec producer, line producer, development producer etc), all kinds of crew, film editor, agent, sales agent etc! 

How did you get recruited, and how easily accessible is recruitment in your sector and specific job role?  

I wrote a script that I managed to get to a producer and after a year of development he sent it to an agent. It can be hard! You need to do a lot of work for free and network. 

What type of contract did you have/had, and is it the best form of contracting for your role?  

My contracts are on a project by project basis. That is the usual way it works - most people are freelance, though big producers have production companies and hire development and production people who may be on a salary. Film funders and sales agents too. 

How easily do you find employment opportunities? 

I get offered a lot but it can take a lot of time and work to make it financially worthwhile. 

How do you increase your spread, and find more job opportunities?  

Meetings, networking. My agents and managers set me up with general meetings with producers, and film festivals are a good place to meet collaborators. 

What are some interview/cv/recruitment practices to improve the chances of being hired?  

Be good in person and have the work (scripts you have written already) to back it up! Research companies you are meeting, be aware of trends in the industry and have opinions! 

What is viewed as professional behavior in your industry, and specific role?  

I don't think it's different from other industries- communicate, be polite, be a team player. 

What company do/did you work at, and what type of structure is/was it, what was the nature of that work in industry?  

I work for myself. 

How regulated was it on an external and internal level?  

N/A 

How was it organized and structured, and was that effective or did it reveal some problems within the company/organization or industry itself?  

N/A 

What are some legal and ethical issues to look out for, and were the legal/ethical requirements always met at the company?  

The legal and ethical pitfalls of the industry have been in the news a lot in the last ten years and are well known I would say! Eg Harvey Weinstein, Russell Brand etc. This is still a very real issue- look out for abuse, people wielding too much power, and faulty accountability structures- film sets don't have HR departments! Racism and sexism are still pervasive as they are in all levels of society, so it's important to be aware of biases when hiring. 

(henriettaashworth@gmail.com) 

 

In conclusion: 

We found out that the film industry is a flexible industry with many roles to suit and accommodate any interest and skill that the individual has. 

We also have learned that the film industry still has alot of problems within its system, and that it can be a hard industry to access and get into at times. 

You have to strive and work hard if you wish to be part of the film industry.