Television Production Assistant

• working closely with the producer, director and the production team;
• co-ordinating and communicating production resources and facility arrangements in tandem with the production managers;
• attending and timing production rehearsals;
• checking copyright and permission issues;
• ensuring royalties are paid for additional images, music or footage used;
• liaising with writers, artists' agents, members of the public and publicity staff;
• dealing with artists' payments and expenses;
• attending and co-ordinating planning meetings;
• cueing pre-recorded material;
• overseeing the timing during a shoot or show;
• ensuring continuity, both on location and in the studio;
• dealing with production enquiries from members of the public;
• keeping accurate shot lists, especially for drama productions;
• producing timing schedules, shot lists and logs for post-production;
• producing budgeting, monitoring costs and controlling expenses;
• calling shots;
• liaising with the camera and sound crew during studio recordings;
• booking artists and performers;
• organising the production and distribution of scripts;
• typing up camera scripts and shot cards;
• booking catering, accommodation, equipment and flights for performers and crew;
• managing contracts with external organisations;
• conducting research;
• completing all necessary paperwork in relation to the above tasks.

• Experienced production assistants earn between £18,000 - £25,000 (salary data collected Dec 04).
• Senior production assistants can earn over £27,000 (salary data collected Dec 04).
• A minimum freelance weekly rate of £389 has been agreed by the Broadcasting Entertainment Cinematographic and Theatre Union (BECTU) and the Producers Alliance for Cinema and Television (PACT) but top freelancers can negotiate their own salaries and may earn up to £35,000 annually.
• The hours are often irregular and long: you may work shifts, early mornings, late evenings and weekends, depending on production requirements. Travel adds to the working day.
• Shoots can take place in a range of settings: indoors in offices and studios; outdoors on location in all weather conditions. The work can involve standing for long periods of time.
• Freelance work is increasingly likely, particularly in the independent sector, for experienced production assistants. Work is based on short-term contracts for the duration of the assignment.
• There is a need to become multi-skilled to be able to work successfully in a range of environments. As a freelancer, those extra skills will increase the amount and range of work open to you. To be successful in securing freelance work, you will also need to be highly organised and skilled in your own self-management and promotion.
• Career breaks are possible.
• Jobs with independent production companies and facilities houses are mainly in London and the South-East. Whilst it is fair to say that many BBC and Independent Television (ITV) jobs are also based in London, there are growing opportunities in the UK's larger cities,eg Manchester, for BBC work.
• The majority of production assistants are women.
• Travel within a working day is common. Outside broadcasts (OBs) and location shoots may involve working away from home on a regular basis or for fairly long periods of time, either in the UK or abroad.

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