This document provides an overview of 9 jobs in the radio, television, and film industries. For radio, it describes the roles of studio assistant, radio manager, and programme researcher. For television, it outlines the jobs of TV floor manager, TV production assistant, and TV camera operator. Common responsibilities across roles include assisting in production, conducting research, ensuring smooth operations, and operating equipment. Experience in these entry-level positions can lead to higher-level creative and managerial careers in media.

1. 9 Jobs in the Industry
Radio
Television
Film

2. Radio
• Studio Assistant
• The radio studio assistant provides vital support for developing everday
production for the local and national radio. They give practical assistance to
programme producers and presenters to make sure that the show runs
as smooth as it possibly can.
• Radio assistants undertake key activites as well as assisting in
planning, researching and producing live and pre-recording radio
programmes. They often have an input in the creative development of new
shows or new features. An assistant is a great starting role for a career
in radio as you get a true understanding of how the radio works.
• The position is similar to the role of the production assisant and the job
title may depend on whether you're working for the BBC or a different
sector such as national or local radio.
• The job varies job roles throughout, between radio stations and even
between different programmes within a single station. In particular, day-to-
day activities will vary between a documentary and music radio station.

3. These are some typical job roles a studio assistant will have to under
go:
• undertaking general research for programmes;
• general administrative duties;
• arranging and overseeing guest visits and freelance staff;
• maintaining up-to-date contact lists;
• producing transcripts, programme logs and running orders;
• recording programme costs;
• preparing contracts and payments for guests and contributors;
• answering and archiving details of calls for phone-ins and
competitions;
• archiving past programmes;

4. • booking resources, facilities, studio time and equipment;
• editing audio packages with digital editing software;
• assisting with time-keeping;
• assisting the production team;
• assisting with the recording of transmissions;
• 'driving the desk' for some pre-recorded or live programmes;
• contributing to the creative input of a show, for example writing cues and
updating scripts;
• liaising with publicity departments about programme trailers and
competition prizes;
• Updating the programme or station website and ensuring that the on-air and
online content are the same.
• (found at
http://www.prospects.ac.uk/radio_broadcast_assistant_job_description.htm
)

5. • Station Manager
• The role of the studio manager is to ensure that the whole process runs
smoothly, managing the media studio, the team and overseeing all the work
and liaising with other departments within the company. It also includes
being the first person involved when setting up the studio and recruiting the
suitable staff.
• The role may overlap the position of the producer and project manager,
and sometimes the senior designers. Studio managers are almost always
employed for full time positions.
• It is also the studio manager’s job to estimate the cost for projects on going
in the radio station or just starting in. Alongside the cost, they need to work
out requirements whether that be equipment, staff or location as well as
timescales. During the on-going projects it is their responsibility to monitor
the work to make sure that it is on course to meet all the requirements and
is delivered on time, within the budget.

6. • The role is a more hands on role as is involved with everything that
goes on with the production.
• When a media studio is being set up for the first time, the manager
will have to work out exactly what people and equipment will be
needed, and then source them. They must identify roles and skills
and be responsible for recruiting the suitable qualified team. Studio
Manager will also be responsible for devising processes and
procedures, such as work flow, brand guidelines and technical or
quality standards.
• Studio Managers need to have alot of personality traits such as
to be confident, outgoing, diligent, and hardworking, and able to
manage multiple projects simultaneously, often to tight deadlines.
•
• (http://www.creativeskillset.org/interactive/careers/profiles/article_2
795_1.asp)

7. • Programme Researcher
• The programme researcher provides support to the producer and the
production team. The researcher contributes to the ideas of the
programmes; they also source contacts for interviews and
contributors. They also collect, verify and prepare information for
radio productions. The researcher will work on a wide range of
programmes or within one subject area.
• The work involves organising, planning and researching everything
that will happen during the programme; who will be interviewed;
location; will the film crew fit; how far the budget will stretch? The
researcher has the responsibility to make sure all facts are correct,
writing briefs for presenters of the show and ensuring that there is a
constant support for the appropriate legislation relation to any one
production.

8. • The role is also known as a specialist, live-footage or picture
researcher, broadcast assistant or assistant producer. The job may
also be seen as an apprenticeship to become a producer and will also
have the chance for ambitious recruits to show how good they really
are.
• Roles for the programme researcher will consist of:
• meeting with producers, directors, designers, presenters and writers
to discuss the research needs of a programme;
• generating and developing new programme ideas;
• conveying findings accurately to others in report form and 'briefs';
• sourcing and researching facts, figures and information using the
internet, film and tape archives, specialist collections, picture
libraries, museums and government departments;

9. • assessing contributors' suitability for the programme, researching and booking
appropriate people and locations;
• booking resources and facilities;
• recruiting freelance staff and negotiating fees;
• providing administrative support such as typing, answering the phone and dealing
with contracts;
• briefing scriptwriters and presenters on topics, updating scripts and editing news
reports;
• sourcing copyright for literary and music sources and gaining clearance for any
materials used;
• negotiating broadcasting rights and producing information and fact sheets for
websites;
• providing research to production staff in a clear, concise format and tracking down
film, archive and video tapes;
• finding interviewees to conduct initial interviews with and getting vox pop
responses to current events from members of the public;
• Directing a small shoot and carrying out straightforward editing.

10. Television.
• TV Floor Manager
• The television floor manager is in charge of the whole set,
props and technical equipment, they make sure everything
is safe and ready to use and in the right position for filming.
They have the responsibility of the communications with
the audience or any other guests that may be in the studio,
for example ensuring that they are all seated in good time
for the show to begin. In the studio, the floor manager is the
link between the director who is situated in the gallery and
the floor below. The manager is responsible for the passing
on of cues to the presenters and guests, to make sure
timings are all met and the broadcast of the show runs as
smooth as possible. The work is mainly studio-based but it
can vary to outside broadcasting.

11. • The work for the floor manager includes:
• checking that equipment, e.g. microphones and earpieces, are working
before the show;
• seating the audience (if in attendance);
• referring to floor plans;
• assisting guests on the show;
• relaying instructions from the control room to the studio floor using a
talkback system;
• keeping the director and producer informed of action off-camera;
• assisting in the planning and preparation of productions;
• overseeing the work of other departments, such as sound, lighting and
props;
• rehearsing live shows;
• giving cues and time counts to presenters, actors or guests;
• Organising runners to make the best use of studio time;

12. • looking ahead in the programme schedule to anticipate any changes
to the set or to see what props are required later in the show;
• briefing and looking after those involved in the programme;
• managing the audience, e.g. explaining safety requirements, show
timings and what will happen during filming and when the
programme will be aired;
• dealing with any technical problems;
• controlling the studio and halting production if necessary;
• liaising with public relations staff to agree who will be interviewed,
for example at sports matches;
• passing information and progress reports from live events to studio
presenters;
• Adhering to health and safety regulations, e.g. keeping 'safe areas'
and fire exits clear of equipment.

13. • TV Production Assistant
•
• A television production assistant is responsible for the
administration, organisation and secretarial work involved in
producing a television programme. The production assistant duties
vary from production to production, the work includes assisting
actors and the crew, issuing scripts, dealing with travel and
accommodation booking and sorting out the enquiries and other
paperwork.
• A production assistant may work on different kinds of programmes,
such as news and current affairs; reality television shows soap
operas, dramas and comedies. They are involved in all the stages
from the start of the project to the end, working alongside everyone.

14. • Production assistants can be known with other names or specialise in one
particular area and assistance. The other names include production
coordinator, script supervisor or production secretary.
•
• Typical work activities consist of:
• attending production meetings;
• typing, editing, copying and distributing scripts;
• organising travel arrangements for cast, crew and production executives;
• booking hotels or organising accommodation for cast and crew;
• typing and distributing schedules, or call sheets;
• assisting cast members and at times running errands for them;
• running errands between the production office and other departments;
• dealing with accounts and expenses.

15. • TV Camera Operator
•
• A television camera operator is the person who works with the
digital, electronic and film cameras in multiple or single-camera
operational conditions. They will produce the pictures for the
director by combining the use of technology with the creative visual
skills.
• A camera operator’s work is based in three settings where the
operator will specialise in one or maybe all of, these are:
• in a studio, where the camera operator usually follows a camera
script, which gives the order of shots.
• outside broadcasts, working as part of a team of camera operators
filming live events, such as sporting.
• on location, where there is likely to be more opportunity for
creativity through suggesting shots to the director.

16. • Most of the time the camera operator works under the
direction of a director and the director of photography,
on many of occasions the camera operator will have the
support of a camera assistant. The role involved a great
deal of technical and creative skill.
• Work activities for the camera operator vary depending
on the type of programme they’re shooting for. For
example studio/outside broadcast programmes,
television dramas, and commercials. Depending on
what the camera operator is shooting the have to decide
on using one of many cameras or a portable single
camera.

17. • Work for the camera operator consist of:
• assembling, preparing and setting up equipment prior to filming,
which may include tripods, monitors, lighting, cables and leads, and
headphones;
• offering advice on how best to shoot a scene, explaining the visual
impact created by particular shots;
• planning shots - when filming an expensive drama scene, such as an
explosion, there may be only one chance to get things right so shots
need to be meticulously planned beforehand;
• practising the camera moves required for pre-arranged shots;
• studying scripts;
• finding solutions to technical or other practical problems (for an
outside broadcast, for example, the natural light conditions need to
be taken into account when setting up shots);

18. • being prepared to innovate and experiment with ideas;
• taking instructions from the director or the director of
photography;
• working quickly, especially as timing is such an important
factor;
• taking sole responsibility in situations where only one
camera operator is involved in the filming;
• keeping up to date with filming methods and equipment;
• repairing and maintaining equipment;
• demonstrating a good awareness of health and safety issues;
• driving crew, actors and equipment to and from locations.

19. Film