While the digitalisation of devices and the rise of the internet has had negative impacts on many established industries, television is one industry that has not been affected.
The way that online delivery systems have rapidly developed has had major impacts on film and music producers; however television is adapting and mutating to make the most of new demands.
With mainstream broadcasting being joined by cable companies and now online streaming services, more content than ever before is being produced. Much of it is made to the very highest standards using the latest cutting-edge technology and equipment, with the result that skills and training are more important in the TV industry than at any time in the past.
Careers
Obviously ‘front of camera’ roles have always been the most high-profile TV careers and the people who appear on-screen are essential in bringing any project to air. Skilled journalists, writers and presenters all play their part in this way.
However off-screen roles are many and varied too, and today the range of skills needed means most people who work in them are graduates who have taken a broadcasting degree.
Of course there are still numerous ways that anyone from any background can look for an opening to work in TV broadcasting, but the increased specialisation and use of high-end equipment and processes means those with good training and skills are best placed to create a career for themselves.
Roles
Cameramen, sound engineers, lighting crew and many other technicians are all essential even in the smallest production. In fact it is a certainty that everything you see will have off-screen personnel that significantly outnumber those on screen, unless it really is a one or two person production.
Producers, directors, editors and various post-production specialists are all involved too. In fact, it isn’t until you actually start to work out where you would like to fit in to the broadcasting industry that you see just how much choice there is and how roles are so diversified.
Education
As there is such a wide range of skills needed to bring the final TV product together there are many educational courses available, from basic technical training to all-encompassing degrees which produce highly skilled graduates.
One thing is sure, television will always be with us in one form or another and with ever greater demand for visual content across many delivery channels the need for qualified employees is certain to keep growing.