Broadcasting Production Assistant

Also known as:

Production Assistant - Broadcasting
Radio Production Assistant
Television Production Assistant

Introduction

Broadcasting production assistants cover a wide range of duties within television and radio production. They provide administrative support, organise team meetings and help with recording. Entry is competitive.

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Work Activities

Broadcasting production assistants, known as PAs, support television and radio producers in doing their job. Their particular tasks depend on the type of programme, its budget and the size of the production team. However, all PAs have typing and other administrative duties. For instance, they deal with the producers' letters and phone calls, type scripts and take notes at meetings. PAs are also usually responsible for getting permission to broadcast material that is covered by copyright.

In preparation for filming or recording, PAs book studios and organise and attend planning meetings. The meetings include the producer and the director and others involved in programme-making, such as scriptwriters, designers, costume, make-up and technical crew. PAs record decisions, prepare and circulate schedules and co-ordinate tasks with different departments.

For certain types of programme, such as dramas, PAs liaise with agents and make practical arrangements for actors and actresses. Quiz shows and programmes with a studio audience require interviews with contestants and preparation of travel details.

After a show, the PA organises the payment of expenses to contestants, presenters and performers. Other planning and organising work can include sorting out transport and accommodation for the crew, and equipment needed to film/record on location.

During studio recording, PAs work in the control room with the producers/directors. In television, they operate controls to record the shots called by the producer/director. They provide the countdown and other time cues to presenters and floor managers during the recording or broadcast. After a recording, PAs compile and write up timings ready for editors and producers in the cutting room.

PAs may also take continuity notes during filming. For example, they may keep a check on the weather conditions or character details to make sure they stay the same throughout one scene.

Work for some programmes may involve travel overseas and time away from home.

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Personal Qualities and Skills

You need to be well organised with IT skills. PAs must be prepared to spend some of their time word processing. In some jobs, PAs may set up and maintain spreadsheets of production costs and budgets.

Precision is important for all aspects of this work. Accuracy is vital when timing programmes. You will need numerical ability for time keeping and working with finances.

Production work can be demanding and stressful. You should be calm under pressure and react quickly when things go wrong. You must be adaptable, resilient and able to solve problems. You need to prioritise a wide range of tasks and meet tight deadlines. You need good people and communication skills, especially for team working. You should be energetic and versatile as you will have a wide variety of tasks to do.

You need a good knowledge of broadcasting production techniques.

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Pay and Opportunities

Pay rates for broadcasting production assistants depend on the type of production they work on, duration of the project and whether they are employed or self-employed.

The pay rates given below are approximate.

Production assistants earn in the range of £290 - £470 a week.

PAs usually work a basic 40-hour week; however, evening and weekend work may be required. Some production assistants work long, irregular hours, especially as deadlines approach.

Work is found with the BBC in national and regional television and radio, and the World Service. ITV and independent production companies, cable and satellite television programme makers and independent radio also recruit PAs.

It is possible to transfer between jobs in radio and television and also between companies. Many self-employed, freelance PAs work on short, fixed-term contracts. Competition for all posts is extremely high.

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Adult Opportunities

It is illegal for any organisation to set age limits for entry to employment, education or training, unless they can show there is a real need to have these limits.

Most entrants have a degree or HND. Qualifications in media production, media practices or related subjects are particularly useful.

Skills and abilities gained from working at a local radio station or video production company, for example, are useful for entry to this career.

If you don't have the qualifications needed to enter your chosen degree or HND course, a college or university Access course (eg, Access to Media) could be the way in. No formal qualifications are usually required, but you should check individual course details.

• 24% of people in occupations such as broadcasting production assisting are self-employed.
• 9% work part-time.
• 7% have flexible hours.
• 14% of employees work on a temporary basis.

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