Unit 04 - Professional Behaviour in the Creative Media Sector

(04.1) Understand the appropriate conduct for a particular creative media workplace

1.1 Describe and compare the cultures of different creative media workplaces

The working environment will always be different, especially in comparison to previous jobs. In my place of work, myself and the other apprentices all have our own separate roles and responsibilities, but we tend to find that a lot of our jobs cross over. This has proven how much flexibility and willingness to learn is needed in the creative media workplace.

Apprentice: Laura

Apprenticeship Placement: Donut Creative Arts Studio

Roles and Responsibilities: Assisting with the art sessions, filming and editing, Photography, reception duties, odd jobs as and when, and generally being a representative of Donut Creative Arts Studio.

Dress Code: We don’t really have a dress code, but like to be seen as presentable. Our place of work is more youth based with a casual, artsy atmosphere. This is a great example of the difference in creative media workplaces. For example, while we have a sort of smart - casual dress code, in a high end design company, they would probably dress smart for their clients. The nearest to a uniform we have is our T-shirts that we wear when we do public events, as promotion is the key to our success.

Time Off: I get 25 days per year, and if I want to book time off it has to be in two weeks’ notice. I have to tell my line manager and the dates get put in the diary and on my Chesterfield College holiday sheet.

Language: As a lot of what we do is youth based, we have to be very careful of our language. As well as the youth sessions, we also hire out our venue to groups so it’s important that we are seen to be polite and professional.

Atmosphere: Our atmosphere is creative, bubbly and artsy. To some we may come across as chilled out and laid back, but we get a lot of creative work done. We like to maintain this atmosphere so that we appeal to the young people and that they get the best out of the sessions we have to offer.

1.2 Describe examples of challenging behaviours and issues in the workplace

Because of the nature of what we do, we sometimes are faced with challenging behaviour, usually not on too big a scale. There is one creative workshop we run for teenagers that have behavioral problems and/ or are at risk of exclusion from their school. We also have an alternative education programme for more one on one support. 

Negative impact on each other and encouragement - Because a lot of the young people come from different schools, they don’t know each other and sometimes they won’t get along very well. After riling each other up, others may end up getting involved while others will get stressed and uncomfortable. It’s just a case of calming them down in the correct way and making sure that the situation doesn’t get any worse. Also if someone decides to be rebellious and do something bad it sets the rest of them off, so it’s a case of looking out for things and trying to prevent them from occurring in the first place. 

Reluctancy - Sometimes in alternative education, young people have a can’t be bothered attitude and are just not attending school. This one can be quite difficult, because you can’t force someone to have a go at something if they don’t want to. Luckily we have the software for a variety of several creative activities whether it be creating a piece of music or designing a building on Sketchup etc. Usually it isn’t too difficult to encourage them. It would be far easier encouraging a young person to do a creative activity that they are interested in rather than school work. This also gives that young person a chance to plan their future and career path. So even if they aren’t cooperating at school, that one creative hobby that they have discovered will allow them to decide their next steps and how to achieve their career goals.

1.3 Explain the role of the key people to inform in relation to these examples

In these situations, we would go to the manager or our line manager to have a talk about the situation. In our working environment we would work together on finding a way to creatively solve the problem. It’s also important that the situation is handled correctly, especially as the department we work in is children's services. 

1.4 Explain the impact of different behaviours and conduct in the workplace

Im my workplace we maintain a friendly and bubbly attitude. Sometimes it can be hard trying to hide emotions and problems from my life outside of work. If for some reason those emotions can’t be hidden we’d go into the office out of the way, as we don’t want negative emotions impacting on the young people that come to our sessions. Because we’re all creative we’re very supportive of each other's problems and feelings and encourage this expression, just so long as it doesn’t impact on others visiting and we’re not seen to be upset. 

(04.2) Know how to plan and manage workload

2.1 Describe effective time management skills needed to plan workload

For me personally, prioritizing is important. I get given a range of duties, a lot of which involve setting up for sessions. Those duties take priority as everything needs to be set up ready for when the young people arrive. I find that taking notes down in a note book and making lists helps me a lot. I work out what needs to be done in the day, and set myself a rough realistic time for each job. Also some days are more active and busier than others, so I use this to decide what jobs would be best suited to which days. My evening shifts are more about setting up for the sessions and working with the young people. The nine to five shifts are more suitable for college work and time sheets which also works well alongside being on reception duty. 

2.2 Describe how to specify and agree timescales, budgets and resources

Timescales: It is important to know how long a task is going to take to complete, and for when it must be completed. Also if the task is to be completed as a team, it is important that everyone is thinking on the same level and agree with each other. It’s important to be aware of the length of time you’ll be working on that day, how much time that one job will take up, and how other daily duties will fit around that shift. 

Budgets: This one is very important in the place I work. Because of all the sessions we run, particularly the art one, we very often need to stock up on equipment. We have a tight budget, so when we need something we try to look around online to see where we can get what we need for the cheapest price. Or if we can’t get it, try and figure out an alternative way of doing the activity. We are currently looking into funding options as we are a creative youth centre atmosphere, so we are eligible for this. 

Resources: When planning for the art sessions, it is my job to check we have everything we need for the activity the day before. This also applies to when we go out filming. We’re very organised and have inventory lists on the cupboard doors where things are stored. It’s also important that we make sure the camera batteries are charged fully beforehand. 

2.3 Explain how to construct a simple project plan

Another part of my job is to come up with ideas for the art session. Usually I will either look back on activities I did at college or research ideas on Pinterest. I would then present the idea to my line manager. If we decide to go ahead with the idea, it’s my job to see if we have the resources we need. If not, the budgeting side comes in and we get the cheapest deal we can to get what we need. Once we have the resources we need, I would then  create an example version of the outcome of the project to get a good idea of how I can help the young people when they come to doing it. 

2.4 Explain the use of a contingency plan

A contingency plan is an emergency backup plan incase an unexpected event occurs, which may negatively impact on the project. As we do a lot of event work for the public, it is important that we have backup plans. The public can be very demanding, and you never know what they may come and ask you for. They may ask for something that requires a lot of work and may take up a lot of time. By consulting the contingency plan, I would be able to figure out how to realistically get the task done, and how it would wrap around my current jobs. 

2.5 Explain the importance of storing work, using version control and observing file naming conventions

The storage of files at my place of work is very important, and it’s very important that they are organised and easy to find. We do various events which involves a lot of filming and photography. We make sure that all separate projects are imported and organised into named folders, and that they are backed up. Especially when we know we’re being paid to do a job, we can’t afford to take any risks in footage and photos going missing. 

(04.3) Understand the importance of continuous professional development 

3.1 Explain what is meant by ‘Continuous professional development’

Continuos professional development, or ‘CPD’, is the improvement and development of specific skills that are needed to carry out your job. For example, it is important that I continue to develop my media skills: Filming, photography and editing. Rather than getting to the point of just being able to do it and stopping at that, I should continue developing above and beyond, which will open up a window of far more opportunities for me. Because  of this, I would be more ready to take on new tasks. Continuous professional development increases efficiency and the opportunities to go further and take on new and exciting tasks. 

3.2 Create and justify a personal development plan

I am currently working on a personal development plan, which I will be able to complete 12 months into my apprenticeship. I feel that my skills in Photoshop are quite strong and are an ongoing development. I'm currently having Media Sessions, so I can develop my skills in filming and photography. Also that I can learn how to import footage and edit it on Final Cut Pro. It's important that I progress well with this over time, as these are vital skills needed for the apprenticeship. 

3.3 Describe opportunities for training and development and explain the relevance of those choices

There are always opportunities for further training at my workplace as we have the software and equipment available. Myself and the other apprentices have had a go at various things. Our employers are always willing to teach us new skills and techniques. I am currently having media training sessions every Monday. If we are interested in learning something new, our employers always encourage us to talk to them about it. Also just simple hints and tips when using certain pieces of software are always helpful and expand our knowledge and skills.