During the pandemic, we have advanced on adapting and utilising our time to work despite a limitation. We have to be thankful to the creators and innovators to produce technologies and reconstruct our adapting to the environment. However, the pandemic is not our only turning point. The creation of social media, the internet, multi-purpose tech like phones can be used as a camera, sound recorder, and editing in a tiny pocket-size touchscreen.
Here is some examples:
| Term | Definition |
| Old Model | |
| 9 to 5 Punch Clock | Be employed in a conventional job with regular hours |
| On-site | Employer’s working space designated to their employees: office, studios, shooting location etc. |
| Long-term Employment | Someone who works with a company over an extended period of time. It usually means “as long as the company wants to keep you.” Alternative name is “permanent contract” |
| Contracted | It is when employee enter into a formal and legally binding agreement with the employer. It usually involves the length of working time, etc. |
| Apprenticeships | It is a kind of job training that involves following and studying a master of a trade on the job instead entering formal education. |
| Blue Collar, Analogue | Workers who engage in hard manual labour. For example: cameraman, runners, sound recorder etc. |
| Heavy Industry | The manufacture of large, heavy articles and materials in bulk. |
| Fordist or Fordism | The system of mass production that was pioneered in the early 20th century by the Ford Motor Company. Everyone has their own roles. Cameraman, Sound Designer etc. |
| Mechanised | To make mechanical equipment. Anything to replace human or animal labour. CGI animals instead of actual trained animal or robot stuntman instead of actual stuntman. |
| Standardised | It is a means of establishing precise procedures to make products in the safest, easiest, and most effective way based on current technologies. For example, being trained on how to use waterproof camera under water. |
| In-house | Conducting an activity or operation within a company without any external help. |
| Heavily unionised | Being a member of or formed into a labour union. WGA (Writers Guild of America West) form a campaign to reshape the talent agency business to lower commissioning business model to 10% or lower with top-tier agencies in 2021. |
| A closed shop | A place of work where all employees must belong to an agreed trade union. |
| New Model | |
| Irregular working hours | No routine schedules. However, they’re often better paid than regular office hours |
| Always on | Available or operating at all times. Producers are usually who does this. |
| Working from home | Workers who don’t need to leave their house. This can be the writers under Covid-19 restriction, editors, or social media managers/producers. |
| Casual employment | Workers who are not part of the permanent workforce, but who supply services on an irregular or flexible basis. |
| Freelancing | Self-employed and hired to work for different companies on particular assignments. |
| Learning on the job | This is where learning a new skill or process happens within the normal work environment. |
| Spare time | The time during which you do not have to work, and you can do whatever you like. |
| University | A high-level educational institution in which students’ study for degrees and academic research is done. |
| White Collar | Relating to the work done or the people who work in an office or other professional environment. |
| Digital | Virtual employees that emulate the skill sets of human workers and automate busines functions. AI are helping producers to do research, by creating algorithm that related to the project. |
| Software | Workers who operate information used by a computer. |
| Post-Fordist | Using small flexible manufacturing units. YouTuber are a great example because they can write, produce, film and edit their videos. |
| Product differentiation | The marketing of generally similar products with minor variations that are used by consumers when making a choice. |
| Networking, networked | The action or process of interacting with others to exchange information and develop professional or social contacts. |
| De-unionisation | To eliminate labour unions from company or industry. |
| A meritocracy | Government or the holding power by people selected according to merit. |
Meanwhile, the world has shown that despite an obstacle, we can adapt and move forward. For example, we are working at home, and even right now, a place that I have applied for an internship during the summer told me I only need to go to their office twice a week, and I can work at home for the rest of the week. So, therefore, does it matter anymore what city or part of the world we live in? I believe it depends on your preference and lifestyle. I’m the sort of person who can’t focus that well at home anyway. There are too many distractions and comfort to be doing work.
Nevertheless, when I have enough money one day, I will have an office room somewhere. But that’s my long-term goal. So let’s talk about the short-term plan after graduation. According to Richard Florida, he suggests “we should feel free to live wherever we please.” As an overthinking person, I have asked myself these:
Q: How do you feel about the place you’re living now?
A: It’s okay. However, I feel like there is a lack of opportunities compare to bigger cities like London, Manchester and Leeds.
Q: Is it somewhere you really want to be?
A: To be honest, I want to go to Los Angeles, or maybe New York. Toronto and Vancouver would be great too. They have a very big Asian community there. In addition, it’s very diverse. I love being in a place where it’s multicultural.
Q: Does it allow you to be the person you really want to be?
A: I think you can be whoever you want to be at any place. But I get it, some place has a culture and law that don’t support on who you are. American have issue with racism and social equality. But places like UK and Canada aren’t that bad. In addition, it’s hard to not expect racism. It’s still going to be around for a while. Don’t get me wrong the world is improving when it comes to educating people about racism.
Q: Have you thought about moving?
A: It’s sound bad like I don’t appreciate So’ton. I adore this city, but I feel like I have been living here long enough that I should be moving on. So, yeah, I have a lot of times.
Q: If so, what are the top places on your radar?
A: London, Manchester and Leeds.
Q: What do you like about them? What do they offer you?
A: It’s not such a big move compare to USA, Canada or even Scotland. Also, there is a lot of opportunities. Top talents are flooding in those cities. It’s close to all the offices that are well-established in the media industry.
Q: Have you sat down and compared where you’re living now to places you like?
A: Nearly every day. But I tried my best to focus on the present so I can have comfort journey towards my destination.
So, what’s your city?
