Wildlife in the Media (Film-making and Photography)
Academic Opportunities
Local Opportunities
Due to the specific nature of this media sector, there are very few local opportunities, which would mean I would have to look further afield onto a national scale to find anything relevant:
National Opportunities
1. Foundation Degree:
This is a full-time foundation degree that would last two years. This course covers many subjects in this industry, such as:
- Evolutionary theories
- Fieldwork techniques
- Animal behaviour
- Avian biology
- Educational event management
- Marine vertebrate biology and conservation
The location this course would be taken is Cornwall College in Newquay. I feel it would be an eye-opening and educational course, covering many aspects of the industry and allowing me to develop my skills. However, as a foundation course, I don't think it would give me as much of a head-start into the industry as a full bachelor's degree would.
2. BA (Honours) Degree:
Wildlife Media, University of Cumbria
This is a full-time course that would last for a duration of three years. During this time I would be studying most topics within the Wildlife Media industry, including:
- Script-writing
- Film and Television Production
- Tourism
- Documentaries
- Photography
- Cultural Economy
- Biodiversity and Fieldcraft
The course is located in Carlisle, at the campus on Brampton Road. It would be the next step towards pursuing a career in this field, as it would allow me to develop my current skills and give me new skills that I would be able to carry forward into a career.
3. BA (Honours) Degree:
This is a full-time course that would last for a duration of three years. The course covers aspects of wildlife photography, including:
- Photographic practice
- Research and critical thinking
- Biodiversity and habitat
- Professional practice
- Global conservation
This course would be taken at the Penryn campus, located just outside Falmouth. It would be a useful step towards going into the wildlife media industry, however, the fact that it focuses on photography only is a drawback. To pursue a wildlife media career I would need to study other aspects such as film, television and scriptwriting.
4. Masters Degree:
This full time course would be full-time and last one year. As a Masters it will cover the basics like research, scriptwriting and production at a higher level, to give the opportunity to produce industry-standard material. The course covers more specialised and professional production techniques, such as:
- long-lens photography
- time-lapse photography
- close-up sound recording
After taking a bachelor's degree, if I felt I wanted to pursue the education of this field further then this would be a good starting point. It would allow me to hone any skills I had developed to the best of my ability, and give me even more potential for success in this industry. However, as wildlife media is a very practical field, I should only take this course if I feel my skills need improving before going on to pursue a career.
Vocational Opportunities
1. Higher Apprenticeship:
Broadcast Technology
This apprenticeship focuses on the technical aspects of working in the broadcasting industry, such as how to work with the machinery and electronics involved in production. Following the diploma in Creative Digital Media, this apprenticeship, which is the equivalent of an undergraduate degree, could be a good next step into the industry.
As an apprenticeship rather than a solely educational course, I would probably have an easier time finding exit opportunities, maybe even continuing work with the company involved with the apprenticeship. However, as wildlife media is such a specific field, it would be highly unlikely that I would find a way onto that career path through this apprenticeship.
2. Advanced Apprenticeship
Online Media/Video Intern with Conservation Travel
This is a full-time apprenticeship that lasts 3 to 6 months. It would involve planning and making promotional videos for the company, as well as assisting with the company's online presence through working with other employees.
This company is an organisation that runs a volunteer service, with which people can work around the world on causes such as wildlife/marine conservation and education in poorer countries. This means that to study this apprenticeship, I would be gaining useful links directly to the wildlife media industry by working for this company.
However, this course is a Higher level apprenticeship, which is equivalent to the level I am currently studying at. If I felt I needed the direct links to the industry, I would consider applying for this apprenticeship. However, I don't need the additional qualification at my current level, so I would try to find something more fitting at a higher level like an Advanced apprenticeship.
3. BBC Production Apprentice Scheme
This course involves working within the production process at the BBC. It allows the student to gain an understanding of the core production skills, as well as specialising in one of three areas:
- Production Management - This is suited to people who have great organising and planning skills. Apprentices work towards a production management assistant role: learning about budgets, copyright, health and safety and scheduling staff and kit. They also develop an understanding of what the creative and technical teams need from the production process and help make it happen!
- Craft Skills - The ability to demonstrate some technical knowledge and understanding is needed for people interested in this pathway. Apprentices work towards studio manager (Radio) or camera operator (TV) roles. Learning includes training in the technical skills required to, for example, run a radio studio or capture footage for a news story (TV or online).
- Editorial - This pathway allows apprentices to work in our content-making teams towards a role as runner / junior researcher. This can involve coming up with and pitching programme ideas, researching contributors / stories / locations, setting up shoots and running on the studio floor / on location.
From the descriptions listed above, I would most likely choose Craft Skills. This area covers working with cameras and other equipment. This would be the most relevant choice to make to gain an introduction to working in the wildlife media industry.
Employment Opportunities
Employment opportunities in this industry are never open for long, but one job role that seems to be in high demand is a Communications Officer. The examples of this job role listed below will not be available forever, but this role seems to be the most frequently desired within the wildlife media sector.
This role covers many different forms of media. This, or an Assistant variation of the role, would be good starting jobs to lead up to a career that focuses more specifically on film or photography.
Another job role I found was a Multimedia Producer.
This job role is similar to the Communications Officer, but has more of a focus on film, editing and photography. This job is more desirable as it covers my interests and strengths.
I think this is the kind of job I would apply for after attending university to study a degree in this field. This is because I feel my current skill levels are not at the standard they would need to be to be able to carry out this job role at the best of my ability.
