Television and film

There are different aspects to film and television production jobs that you may want to consider as you think about your career, including:

Potential projects are considered to be in the development stage. Scripts are read and financing is arranged.

During pre-production, every element of the film or television show is planned, down to the tiniest detail. Most of the creative decisions about a film or television show are made during this stage, though these decisions are constantly re-worked in the production and post-production phases.

Production, also known as principle photography, is the "lights, camera, action" work that most people associate with the entertainment industry.

Film or video is edited and special effects and sound are created for the final product.

Marketing and distribution
Marketers decide when to release or schedule a film or TV show and how it should be pitched. Commercial time is sold and other financial considerations are handled in this step.


The single or family-owned radio station has become a thing of the past as large media corporations add more radio stations to their empires. The vast majority of stations operate locally but are broadcasting more syndicated and/or national programming as they are consolidated. Music, sports, talk and news radio provide a variety of programming. The emergence of satellite radio (Sirius, XM) has added a new dimension to this industry and is making radio programming more national in scope and multi-faceted in topic.

Talent and Programming
Formerly known as "disc jockeys," radio personalities today are involved in listener relations, song selection and station promotions. News and traffic people are also employed as on-air talent. The programming director is responsible for the overall sound and image of the station and has relationships with music industry executives as they depend on radio stations to promote their artists.

A radio production department creates the many local commercials and promotions at a radio station. Production staff may do voiceovers, work the sound board and handle remote broadcasts.

Sales and promotions
The lifeblood of radio, selling airtime is essential to a station's survival. Account executives work with researchers to determine viable advertisers and use their creative skills to pitch promotional events and concerts.

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