Overview of the role
Researchers are key when it comes to making great television, finding people, places, stories and facts. Job roles can vary widely depending on the type of project or programme. It might be looking for wildlife experts and great locations for a natural history programme for pre school, or working on an investigative current affairs piece for older children. It might be working on a one off theatrical or musical event or a location based factual entertainment format. All the roles call for resourcefulness, great communication skills and an eye for detail. Importantly, they also need to demonstrate an understanding of the kids TV industry and know how to adhere to the relevant regulations around working with children, including safeguarding, GDPR/data protection, the Ofcom Broadcasting Code and broadcaster editorial guidelines. Researchers support the assistant producer (AP), producer/PD and series producer.
Core responsibilities
These core responsibilities are provided as a guide and are not exhaustive. The exact responsibilities in a particular job will vary depending on the size of the production company and team, the type of show and the budget available.
- Consume and analyse output made for children from a wide range of broadcasters and platforms, understanding the attributes of successful shows and their contributors, presenters and performers.
- If working with contributors under 18s, keep up to date with all of the regulations around working with children including production company and commissioner safeguarding and welfare guidelines and the Ofcom Broadcasting Code on working with and for young audiences.
- Understand how to use verifiable and official sources for fact checking rigorously and accurately including contacting experts.
- Come up with creative ideas for existing and new shows, whether location or studio based.
- If casting under 18s refer to the casting researcher skills checklist for specific details.
- Conduct background checks on potential contributors over 18 including their presence on social media, escalating any concerns to an AP or producer.
- Archive/picture research for sizzles or transmission - understand how to source archive and how to obtain the relevant clearances.
- Good writing skills - communicate clearly and appropriately with internal and external contacts, present your work clearly and concisely including in research briefs for producers or presenters, prioritising important information.
- Understand how AI could be used to support content creation and ideas generation and ensure any tools and outputs accessed are fully disclosed to and pre-approved by producers and employed in accordance with production company and broadcaster guidelines and EU and UK law.
- GDPR/Data Protection - know the correct way to manage sensitive and personal data and how to set up and manage information systems.
- Location finding - deliver appropriate locations for filming to a brief including all necessary permissions obtained, props provided and records kept.
- Know how to plan filming days - organise efficient routes to locations, booking resources for film team and transport for contributors, presenters and team, working with production colleagues on completing schedules and paperwork.
- Look after contributors including children during filming including ensuring all safeguarding and health and safety regulations are observed. Understand how to escalate any concerns to the relevant team leader.
- If studio based, be familiar with how a studio production team operates including roles on the floor and in the gallery, practised in using talkback and liaising with team and crew.
- Look after studio guests during rehearsal and filming including ensuring all safeguarding and health and safety regulations are observed. Understand how to escalate any concerns to the relevant team leader.
- Help to create a relaxed and open environment during filming where potential contributors feel comfortable to share their stores and are excited to be part of the process.
- Be proficient as a second camera if needed on location or as a more experienced shooting researcher.
- Data wrangling if needed - log and transfer data to memory drives then deliver on to post.
Skills
Check out the role specific skills, transferable skills and attributes for the role of researcher in children's TV.
- Actively engage with the output of a range of children’s broadcasters and platforms and become familiar with the commissioning landscape for children’s content.
- Good working knowledge of the regulatory frameworks and guidelines that govern content production for children and working with children.
- Communication skills - be able to fully communicate the concept of the show and the process during filming in a way that is accessible to children.
- Empathy with young contributors and understand how to best deal with them and their families/chaperones to deliver a great performance and enjoy their experience on productions.
- Research: a genuine passion for people and story finding and subject research for children’s content.
- Confident communicator, both verbally and written.
- Ability to generate and develop new ideas.
- Self shooter and capable of assembling rushes.
- Deliver under pressure: responding quickly to the needs of the team, comfortable managing tight deadlines and handling multiple tasks simultaneously, calmly and efficiently.
- Good organisational skills and strong attention to detail.
- Resilience and stamina - able to work well in a team and in pressurised environments.
- Passionate about helping to create inspiring, inclusive and empowering content for children.
- Relatability: including with young contributors.
- Curiosity: about people and the world around them and an active interest in learning more about the children’s industry, including consuming content from a range of different broadcasters and platforms
- Positivity: bring a a can-do attitude and be a good ambassador for the production to organisations and contributors.
- Confidence to work on own initiative as well as part of a team.
- Resilience: adapt to changing work priorities and patterns, ensuring deadlines continue to be met.
- Be proactive: carry out tasks efficiently and anticipate what team members may need additional support with. Explore new ways of working that could enhance results.
- Proactive and productive: good at spotting problems and solving them.
- Productivity: organise work effectively and meet deadlines.
- Drive: demonstrate the energy to get things done in pressurised situations and escalate appropriately when necessary.
- Respect: demonstrate inclusivity and integrity at all times.
- Versatility: able to flex quickly to differing demands of production.