ASK & DISCUSS INDEX

10 years, 6 months ago - Vasco de Sousa

First, learn how to write clearly. Run on sentences can be confusing. It doesn't matter how good your research is, it has to be understood.

Secondly, I don't think your background sounds impressive. Maybe you've presented it the wrong way. "A vast knowledge of screenwriting" sounds to me like you wasted a lot of money on McKee and Volger seminars. And, even mentioning the computer science degree makes me think your research will consist of nothing more than using AND and OR when looking at Google and Wikipedia.

Third, note that the creative industries pay only 0.72 percent as well as the general economy, and the computer science part of the economy pays significantly better than average. You'll be taking a pay cut, and possibly working longer hours.

If your idea of finding out what the job entails involves asking questions on Shooting People, I would not hire you. Remember, the job role you specified is "researcher." There are plenty of books out there on film researching, and a few academic articles, and even some magazine articles. If you can't find those, you're not worth much as a researcher.

Sorry to be so blunt. An actor might be able to do their job without knowing how to find auditions, but a researcher? What's next, a proofreader who can't speak the language?

First step, go to the public library. Find any books on television jobs, or even general career books. Read those, or at least skim them.

10 years, 6 months ago - Paddy Robinson-Griffin

Researcher is part of the TV route from runner to producer. There may be advisor/consultant opportunities if you're a PI, but speak directly with producers for that.

10 years, 6 months ago - Jamie Cropley

Thanks again!

10 years, 6 months ago - Jamie Cropley

Ok thanks, I appreciate your bluntness to be honest, at least I know where I stand. I think I will stick to what I am good at. It was just more a general query really and I only just signed up to this site mainly for screen writing reasons, but thought I would query this part of the industry. Thanks again, your information helps me out a lot! Don't think I will be going down this researcher route, you were kind of right with using Google AND and OR etc... however a bit more thorough than that. Overall was just trying to see if any of my skills no matter how minimal, impressive, rubbish they are, could earn me even the smallest bit of money potentially now or way in the future.