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A Career in Creative Media

Over the past 10 years or so, computer technology has dramatically changed the way in which we produce all types of media. SAE Institute, pioneers in technical education, have combined the study of these technologies in their newly restructured Creative Media Programmes. The question is, what exactly is creative media?

Creative media is a broad creative and technological subject that combines traditional multimedia, film, video and audio. It embraces a number of very exciting industries, from web design, graphic design and the creation of interactive CD roms to amazing 3D computer generated images used in film or television.

We are all familiar with traditional multimedia and its obvious roles in web design for the internet, its uses in creating interactive CD�s and games and the essential role of desk top publishing in the layout of magazines but what does creative media mean in the film and television industry?

There are actually a variety of roles that a creative media producer might play: After the fundamental stages of a TV or film project, such as conception and planning, have been completed, the project will rely mostly on modern technologies and the expertise of a creative media professional.

The process of modern film and TV production features an increasing amount of computer generated images as opposed to real film footage. Films such as the recent Star Wars series�, The Matrix and Final Fantasy relied heavily on computer generated images, either on their own or combined with traditional film.

The term �computer generated� implies that no human interaction is required, but in actual fact, it still requires a technically competent human operator to generate and manipulate these images.

Another element of creative media production is the creation and animation of computer generated images using 3D technologies and often these images are combined with actual footage to create fantastic but realistic scenes. This is how George Lucas, the Producer of the Star Wars epics created an impressive army of huge robots in a seemingly natural landscape. This fascinating process is called compositing and utilises software such as Adobe After Effects or Shake.

Finally a film or programme does not only consist of visual elements. Clear and professionally recorded sound is as important as impressive graphics. The recording and subsequent mixing processes are also important roles of a successful creative media producer. Suitable music needs to be selected, edited and arranged in accordance with visual sequences. Sound effects are edited and modified with appropriate software and are placed in synchronisation with the images they relate to.Voice over files are edited, processed and placed. All these audio tracks need to be mixed for the final product. Basic audio skills are an important part of any media production training.

Anyone who is interested in computer technology and who has an eye and feeling for design should consider a career in the rewarding arena of creative media as a highly feasible and attractive option.

SAE currently offer two Creative Media Programmes at either diploma or degree level. The diploma includes full tuition in both the practical and theoretical elements of all areas relating to creative media production. The full degree programme can be completed in just over two years and along with the design and technical elements of the diploma course, incorporates management and legal issues, cultural topics and aims to totally prepare students for leading positions within the media industry.

The degree course is validated by Middlesex University and leads to a BA (Honours) in Multimedia Arts. BA graduates interested in further academic development will soon be able to study for a Master of Arts in Creative Media Practice.

If you are interested in finding out more about this growth industry and would like to find out how SAE Institute can assist you in learning new and exciting skills that will result in a highly rewarding career, please check out our website at www.sae.edu. Should you wish to receive a full prospectus that includes details of all the courses that we currently offer in both Creative Media and Audio, please email saelondon@sae.edu or alternatively telephone 020 7609 2653.