Course name
BTEC L3 Foundation Diploma in Creative Digital Media Production
Linked careers
Journalism
Journalists work for the local press, the national press, news agencies, the vast range of weekly and monthly periodicals (including the ‘trade’ press), online news sites, radio and TV. Many new entrants start as trainee journalists with trade magazines or on local newspapers, magazines or online content, where they can develop their basic skills under less pressure than on the national papers and magazines.
Design
Design is communicating by visual means, through print, drawings, photographs or combinations of all three. Media work can include book illustration, advertising and packaging, technical illustration and website design.
Film and TV
There is a wide range of jobs in film and TV production, in both technical and production areas – from producers, directors, sound and lighting technicians, and camera operators to post-production roles. However, because it’s a popular industry, getting started is very difficult. As well as film and TV production companies, it may also be possible to find work with companies producing video for a wide range of uses besides entertainment – for business training, teaching, and for publicity, advertising and public relations
Photography
As well as opportunities for press photographers and photojournalists, high-quality photography is needed for advertising, magazine features and publicity. Photographers generally specialise in one particular field. There are relevant courses at various levels that will help you develop your skills before you look for a job.
Advertising
A tough and highly competitive industry. Advertising firms need people to manage accounts, designers and photographers to supply the artwork, and copywriters to provide the words. Scriptwriters and production crews work on TV, radio and cinema adverts, whilst media planners and buyers make sure that, once made, the advert is seen by its target audience as many times as possible!
FAQ
What is Digital Media about? In Digital Media we look at how the media industry operates and how media products such as films, TV shows, magazines and other products are produced. We also study how the media is used to influence our thoughts and feelings and how different sub-groups are represented.
Do I need to have studied Media at GCSE? No, although it would help. Skills learned through subjects like English and History, where you have to analyse sources, would be advantageous.
What activities do you do in Digital Media lessons? A range of practical and theoretical work. You’ll have hands on experience of planning, producing and editing films, magazines and pre-production projects as well as analysing films and studying how films are made.
How would I be assessed in Digital Media? You will be assessed through a mixture of external examination and internal coursework. The exams are computer based and require you to analyse a variety of sources, the coursework often combines case study or research based tasks with practical creation of digital products.
Are there opportunities for trips or visits from external speakers? Yes! There is the opportunity to visit Warner Bros Studios to visit the sets and stages of the Harry Potter films and external speakers have often been involved to talk to students about careers in the Media industry / producing short films / radio broadcasting.