Understanding post-production technology in high-end TV

Ever wondered what really happens to your footage once it enters the post-production pipeline?

This two-day course takes you through the complete process – from handover by the DIT, Data Wrangler, or production team, all the way to final delivery to the broadcaster and beyond.

You will get hands-on experience with professional-grade equipment, explore real-world workflows, and understand the tools and techniques that keep high-end TV drama and factual projects running smoothly.

Whether you’re looking to tighten up your workflows, make efficiency gains, or simply demystify what your colleagues in post do, this course will give you the insight you need.

The training has been developed by a leading post-production facility that delivers hundreds of hours of scripted and unscripted content each year. With years of hands-on industry experience, the trainers bring both technical expertise and workflow insight directly to participants. Paul Hawke-Williams, Head of Training & Engagement at Gorilla Academy, brings over 25 years of hands-on experience in television and film, specialising in post production, workflow design, and project leadership.

This programme is funded by the ScreenSkills High-end TV Skills Fund made up of contributions from high-end TV productions made in the UK. 

Who it's for

This course is designed for:

• DITs and onset junior colourists
• Offline editors and assistants
• Data wranglers
• Production team members who want to understand the bigger picture of post-production

This course is especially valuable for professionals who often hand over material and move onto the next project before seeing it through to delivery.

We offer inclusive training. If you have any needs which we can accommodate during the recruitment process and beyond, please let us know and we will be happy to work with you to meet them - training@gorillagroup.tv

We always welcome applications from under-represented groups, including, but not limited to those from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds; people with a disability; people from the LGBTQ+ community and those from lower socio-economic backgrounds.

In some instances there may be additional support for travel – please get in touch to find out more.

What it covers

Delegates will gain an understanding of the entire post-production pipeline, covering:

• Best practice and planning
  • HDR and SDR workflows
  • Workflow documentation and its impact on budget
  • Examples of workflows
  • Data and verification technicalities
  • Rushes QC
• Backup, ingesting and preparation for the edit
  • Offline/online workflow
  • Ingest methods: native vs transcoding
  • Choosing and using edit tools (e.g. Media Composer)
  • Equipment, speed, and efficiency
  • Fixed camera rig requirements
• Transcoding and conversions
  • Purpose and process of transcode
  • Codecs, edit software and storage requirements
  • Onset vs post-house transcode
  • Tools including Resolve and Content Agent
  • Metadata management and why it matters
• Information security
  • NDA, content security, and access controls
  • Encryption on Mac and Windows
  • Handling sensitive material safely
• Storage management
  • Calculating storage needs
  • Codec/file size considerations
  • On-prem vs cloud solutions
  • Working vs cold storage
  • Backups, LTO, and archive workflows
  • Verification and clearance reports
• Media export
  • File types, codecs and client requirements
  • Network speeds and delivery limitations
• Secure digital despatch
  • Encrypted file sharing (e.g. Signiant, Aspera)
  • Broadcaster delivery portals
  • Data integrity, user access, and management
• Content finishing and quality assessment
  • QC testing processes (eyeball and automated)
  • Content Agent and analysis tools
  • Waveforms and scopes
  • Meeting broadcaster requirements (HDR/SDR/HD/4K)

How to apply

The course will be delivered in person with access to professional-grade equipment on hand. Delegates will get to see and try out examples of the processes being taught, bridging the gap between theory and practice.

The course will run across four UK locations on the following dates:

• Bristol or Cardiff (TBC)
  • Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 November 2025 - 1000 to 1600
  • Deadline for applications 10 November 2025. Successful applicants will receive confirmation of their place on 11 November.
• London
  • Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 December 2025 - 1000 to 1600
    Deadline for applications 1 December 2025. Successful applicants will receive confirmation of their place on 2 December.
• Glasgow
  • Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 January 2026 - 1000 to 1600
    Deadline for applications 3 January 2026. Successful applicants will receive confirmation of their place on 4 January.
• Belfast
  • Saturday 31 January and Sunday 1 February 2026 - 1000 to 1600
    Deadline for applications 22 January 2026. Successful applicants will receive confirmation of their place on 23 January.

Click ‘apply now’ to submit your application once you have chosen you location. You will need a ScreenSkills account to complete your application.

This course would normally cost participants to attend, but thanks to funding, we are able to offer it to you for free. If you fail to attend, we reserve the right to request reimbursement of costs, unless your place can be taken by someone else.

If you are no longer able to attend, we ask you to please use the “decline ticket” function on the right hand side of the page so that we can release your place. Our sessions are often oversubscribed, so we’d like to give other freelancers the opportunity to fill available spots. Thank you for your consideration.

Contact information

Name: Paul Hawke-Williams
Email: training@gorillagroup.tv