Television production assistant

Television production assistant job description: Typical employers | Qualifications and training | Key skills | Useful links | Find jobs and courses

Responsibilities of the job include:

• clearing copyrights
• booking studios, production equipment, performance and production staff
• liaising with a wide range of people
• organising meetings and interviews
• preparing and distributing briefing notes and scripts
• organising schedules and contracts
• overseeing cues, timings and continuity during recording
• budgeting.

Travel, long hours and tight deadlines can make the work tiring and stressful. Job security may be an issue as the work is frequently dominated by short-term contracts.

Typical employers of production assistants

• independent production companies
• terrestrial, satellite, digital and cable television companies
• BBC
• Channel 4

Experienced assistants may also work on a self-employed or freelance basis, particularly within the independent sector. Vacancies are advertised via the internet, in newspapers, and specialist publications such as The Knowledge and Media Week.

Networking, job shadowing, speculative applications and sector research are advised. Directories like Broadcast Production Guide and Kays Production Manual can provide useful contact information. Some employers, including the BBC and ITN, operate graduate training and/or work experience schemes, for which early applications are advisable.

Qualifications and training required

Any degree discipline is acceptable, although a relevant qualification in journalism, communication or media studies, humanities, English or business studies may be preferred.

The ability to demonstrate knowledge, experience or a genuine interest in television and radio is essential, and often more important than academic qualifications.

Key skills for production assistants

• excellent communication skills
• adaptability
• enthusiasm
• determination
• perseverance
• ability to work well under pressure
• organisational skills
• administrative skills
• budgeting skills
• IT skills.