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Apprenticeship training course

Production assistant - screen and audio (level 3)

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Information about Production assistant - screen and audio (level 3)

Providing support and assistance to help with the delivery of content for TV or radio shows.

Knowledge, skills and behaviours
View knowledge, skills and behaviours

Knowledge

  • The effect organisational structures, regulations, commissioning processes and funding has on new productions and production activities.
  • The differences between genre and how this affects the type and scale of production.
  • The methods, tools and techniques used to scope and evaluate ideas and problem solving concepts for a production.
  • The methods used to segment and understand audience engagement.
  • The different styles of writing and tone of voice that is appropriate to the platform and the audience.
  • The use of grammar, punctuation and spelling to facilitate clear and concise communication.
  • The end-to-end production workflow and planning process, the key stages including post production, and own role within this.
  • The regulatory and legal requirements when using media assets, such as copyright, intellectual property rights, non-disclosure agreements and licensing.
  • How to incorporate the relevant branding into the production such as use of brand identity templates and logos for screen, online and audio production.
  • How to source and identify media assets.
  • Principles of budget allocation and methods used to monitor costs for a production and the potential impact.
  • How organisational priorities, commercial pressures, project deadlines and working practices impact on production schedules.
  • The legislation and organisational policies including health and safety, contingency planning and licensing as they apply to crew and contributors.
  • The processes to follow when authorising the use of resources, and methods of monitoring usage in line with the production plan.
  • Typical production hierarchies, the roles and responsibilities within production teams and the etiquette to follow.
  • The communication and reporting processes to follow when acting as point of contact on a production.
  • How to interpret a call sheet/schedule prior to a shoot.
  • How to securely store and access captured materials and media assets for future use in line with GDPR and organisational policies.
  • Own responsibilities for creation, maintenance and storage of production documentation.
  • Methods used to transcribe documents/footage accurately and in line with production requirements.
  • Processes to follow when scoping out and interpreting resource requirements from production documentation.
  • Considerations when establishing optimal set or studio locations for the equipment
  • The organisational procedures to follow when sourcing and obtaining locations, catering, accommodation, transport and technical equipment for productions.
  • Sustainability and the typical activities which contribute to their ‘professional carbon footprint’ and steps to reduce this.
  • How camera setup, function and application vary according to genre and budget.
  • Principles to consider when operating media content capture equipment in a studio and on location.
  • The particular characteristics of omni directional, directional, cardioid microphones, and accessories and the impact on recording.
  • Methods used to identify the editorial intent, required artistic effect and target audience for audio material.
  • The effect of the production environment on own role and the wider production.
  • How to cut, edit and caption production content to meet output requirements.
  • The importance of archiving, preserving and conserving media assets.
  • Principles of online and broadcast resolution, ingesting, editing and exporting content and how to prepare a timeline.
  • The audience data, and metrics selected and applied by own organisation, to evaluate the impact and success of a production against its objectives.
  • Approaches to maintaining up-to-date knowledge of existing and evolving technology, trends and platforms and managing and marketing own skills and services.

Skills

  • Interpret a production brief and identify the audience/end user requirements for the production.
  • Scope and evaluate ideas and problem solving concepts for a production.
  • Develop creative ideas and proposals for screen, online or audio productions.
  • Create a brief for a production, including documents such as a storyboard or treatment or outline script of ideas.
  • Present persuasive pitches, ideas and proposals for screen, online or audio productions.
  • Work in line with agreed workflows, adapting to operational and creative changes as they occur and inform relevant stakeholders.
  • Support the end-to-end process of production by monitoring budgets, resources and progress and adhering to legislation, regulations, organisational processes and procedures.
  • Identify and minimise hazards and risks in the workplace such as Covid compliance.
  • Assist cast and crew members and act as a point of contact with the production office and other departments.
  • Develop and maintain positive working relationships when in production, establishing and using professional networks.
  • Provide progress reports to your production coordinator or producer.
  • Create, use and store production documentation throughout the end-to-end production workflow.
  • Manage and store media assets, creating accurate records of material produced in line with workflows and organisational policies.
  • Complete a call sheet/schedule prior to a shoot.
  • Scope resource requirements; identify and prevent potential supply problems.
  • Identify and assist with sourcing resources for a production, including locations, catering, accommodation, transport, equipment, crew, budget and existing media assets.
  • Identify opportunities to deliver sustainable solutions in line with industry standard recommendations.
  • Select microphones taking into account conditions and environments.
  • Select and set up camera equipment as required.
  • Monitor the sound levels and bit rate, identifying any issues during the capturing process.
  • Work to a visual technical specification such as resolution, frame rate, pixellation.
  • Operate current industry standard equipment and software safely during and post recording.
  • Edit and optimise audio or visual material saving in the required format.
  • Compress digital assets.
  • Select edit points to create a smooth transition in the material and achieve required audio effects using sound and acoustic effects as required.
  • Review edited material to ensure appropriateness for the target audience, house style and platform.
  • Gather audience data to evaluate the impact and success of a production against its objectives.
  • Use lessons learned to evaluate the success of the production and identify areas for improvement for future productions.
  • Use continuing professional development planning to support own current and future training and development needs.

Behaviours

  • Seeks to continuously improve the production.
  • Acts collaboratively to build and maintain positive relationships with colleagues, customers and suppliers.
  • Takes ownership of work, with a strong work ethic and commitment to achieving high standards.
  • Committed to keeping up to date with new technologies and industry best practice. Resourceful in finding creative solutions to solve problems.
  • Acts in an ethical manner, embracing, equality, diversity and inclusion in the workplace.
Apprenticeship category (sector)
Creative and design
Qualification level
3
Equal to A level
Course duration
12 months
Maximum funding
£9,000
Maximum government funding for
apprenticeship training and assessment costs.
Job titles include
  • Audio production assistant
  • Broadcast assistant
  • Production assistant
  • Production management assistant
  • Production pa
  • Production secretary
  • Programme assistant
  • Runner
  • Tv production assistant

View more information about Production assistant - screen and audio (level 3) from the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education.