Overview of the role
The assistant producer is a crucial mid-level editorial role in unscripted television production, serving as the vital bridge between research-focused junior staff and senior editorial leadership. Assistant producers operate as the operational backbone of production teams, combining detailed research capabilities with hands-on production support and emerging editorial responsibilities.
Working under the guidance of producers, series producers, or producer directors, assistant producers take ownership of specific production elements while contributing to broader story development and contributor management. They are expected to demonstrate sound editorial judgment, initiative, and developing leadership skills while maintaining the detailed focus necessary for effective research and logistics coordination.
The assistant producer role demands versatility across the entire production pipeline, from initial story research through post-production support. This position serves as a critical training ground for future producers, requiring individuals who can balance meticulous attention to detail with creative storytelling instincts and the ability to work effectively under pressure in fast-moving production environments.
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 scale / budget band / genre of the production.
- Execute thorough background research on potential contributors, locations, themes, and relevant subject matter to support editorial decision-making.
- Identify compelling stories and characters that align with series editorial objectives and audience expectations.
- Prepare detailed research briefs and present findings clearly to producers, series producers, and editorial teams.
- Suggest potential storylines, narrative sequences, or thematic approaches that enhance overall series development.
- Verify all factual information and ensure accuracy across all research materials and contributor documentation.
- Establish initial contact with potential contributors, building rapport and trust that facilitates ongoing production relationships.
- Provide clear, comprehensive briefings to contributors regarding filming expectations, processes, and their rights as participants.
- Maintain regular communication with contributors throughout production cycles, ensuring they feel informed, supported, and valued.
- Coordinate contributor logistics including travel arrangements, scheduling, and release documentation in collaboration with production management.
- Monitor and keep notes on contributor welfare continuously, escalating concerns promptly to producers or series producers when appropriate.
- Create detailed contributor profiles, briefing packs, and background documentation for producers, directors, and filming crews.
- Draft targeted interview questions tailored to individual contributor backgrounds, story requirements, and series editorial objectives.
- Prepare shooting schedules, call sheets, and comprehensive logistical documentation that enables efficient filming operations.
- Anticipate potential editorial challenges, contributor sensitivities, and logistical complications, flagging issues early to senior staff.
- Ensure all necessary permissions, legal releases, and compliance documentation are obtained and processed before filming begins.
- Attend filming sessions to support producers and directors with essential story context, contributor background, and editorial guidance.
- Where required, brief technical crews thoroughly on story priorities, contributor sensitivities, coverage requirements, and series stylistic standards.
- Monitor shoots actively, identifying missing narrative elements and suggesting additional coverage or pick-up material to strengthen storylines.
- Manage contributor needs during filming, ensuring participants remain comfortable, engaged, and able to deliver authentic performances.
- Create detailed rushes notes and coverage logs that capture key moments, strong material, and editorial opportunities for post-production teams.
- Write compelling interview questions, potential commentary lines, and detailed contributor biographies that serve editorial storytelling objectives.
- Draft treatments, casting documents, story outlines, and narrative proposals for review by senior editorial staff.
- Provide written story analysis and editorial notes that support both field production and post-production decision-making processes.
- Develop editorial judgment through practice, ensuring all work maintains accuracy, fairness, and appropriate tone for target audiences.
- Contribute creative ideas for sequences, set pieces, narrative approaches, and story development opportunities that enhance overall series quality.
- Review rushes systematically, providing detailed logs, summaries, and editorial assessments to edit producers and post-production teams.
- Suggest potential narrative structures, story flow options, and editorial approaches that maximise the impact of filmed material.
- Transcribe interviews accurately and provide selects that highlight the strongest, most relevant material for editorial consideration.
- If asked be prepared to write and adapt commentary, captions, and explanatory text, ensuring factual accuracy and appropriate tone throughout.
- Liaise with producers and series producers to ensure edited material accurately reflects intended storylines and editorial vision.
- Ensure all contributors fully understand release agreements, filming contracts, and their rights and responsibilities as participants.
- Identify and escalate potential compliance issues, legal concerns, or editorial policy violations to appropriate senior staff promptly.
- Maintain rigorous standards of fairness, accuracy, and balance in all editorial choices and contributor interactions.
- Demonstrate vigilance regarding safeguarding responsibilities, particularly when working with vulnerable contributors or sensitive subject matter.
- Support producers in ensuring all contributors receive ethical treatment and appropriate care throughout their production experience.
- Work effectively with producers, directors, researchers, production management, and post-production teams to ensure coordinated approach to story development.
- Provide guidance and support to researchers and junior staff members, sharing knowledge and helping develop their professional skills.
- Serve as communication bridge between field production teams and office-based editorial and production management staff.
- Contribute meaningfully to team meetings, editorial discussions, and planning sessions with clear updates, creative suggestions, and practical insights.
- Demonstrate flexibility by supporting various departments and production needs as required while maintaining focus on core responsibilities.
- Organise complex contributor schedules, travel arrangements, and location access requirements in coordination with production management.
- Ensure smooth coordination between editorial requirements and practical production constraints during filming operations.
- Track story development progress, contributor availability, and scheduling changes, maintaining accurate records and communication with relevant team members.
- Complete and file all necessary paperwork including releases, compliance forms, shooting schedules, and contributor documentation.
- Maintain comprehensive databases of contributors, industry contacts, story leads, and production information that support ongoing and future projects.
- Seek opportunities to direct smaller shoots, interviews, or specific sequences under appropriate supervision and guidance.
- Develop technical skills including basic camera operation and self-shooting capabilities when relevant to production needs.
- Build editorial confidence through pitching story ideas, suggesting narrative approaches, and contributing to creative discussions.
- Actively seek feedback from producers, series producers, and other senior staff to accelerate professional growth toward more senior editorial roles.
- Consistently demonstrate initiative, independence, and reliability while accepting increasing levels of responsibility and creative input.
- Identify emerging story opportunities, character developments, and narrative possibilities that strengthen overall series content.
- Contribute to creative problem-solving when productions face challenges related to contributor availability, story gaps, or narrative coherence.
- Research and propose potential solutions for editorial challenges, including alternative approaches, backup contributors, or supplementary material.
- Support senior staff in maintaining story momentum and quality when facing production constraints or unexpected developments.
- Demonstrate understanding of audience needs and expectations while contributing to discussions about editorial direction and creative choices.
- Balance competing demands across different storylines, contributors, and production phases while maintaining consistent quality standards.
- Prioritise tasks effectively when supporting multiple producers, storylines, or production requirements simultaneously.
- Coordinate between various production elements to ensure individual contributions support overall series coherence and delivery schedules.
- Maintain detailed organisation of personal workload while remaining responsive to urgent requests and changing production priorities.
- Support senior editorial staff by providing reliable, timely completion of assigned tasks and proactive identification of potential scheduling or resource conflicts.
Skills
Check out role specific skills, transferable skills and attributes for the role of assistant producer.
- Strong research capabilities with meticulous attention to detail, accuracy verification, and ability to synthesise complex information into clear, actionable insights.
- Excellent written communication skills for producing compelling briefs, interview questions, story treatments, and editorial documentation.
- Developing contributor management abilities with focus on building authentic relationships that support honest, engaging storytelling.
- Emerging editorial judgment with growing ability to identify, shape, and enhance unscripted narrative content.
- Effective organisational capabilities for managing multiple contributors, concurrent shoots, and competing deadline pressures.
- Versatility to work effectively across pre-production planning, field production support, and post-production editorial processes.
- Solid understanding of compliance requirements, duty of care obligations, and editorial policy standards in factual television.
- Communication: demonstrates clear, confident, and professional communication across diverse audiences including contributors, technical crews, and senior editorial staff.
- Collaboration: works effectively across editorial, production, and post-production teams while building supportive relationships with colleagues at all levels.
- Problem-solving: identifies potential risks and challenges early, proposing practical solutions that balance editorial ambition with production realities.
- Initiative: proactively assumes responsibility, suggests improvements, and seeks opportunities to contribute beyond basic task completion.
- Project management: maintains oversight of complex logistical and editorial details while supporting multiple concurrent production activities.
- Resilience: adapts effectively to extended working hours, changing priorities, and high-pressure environments while maintaining professional performance and positive attitude.
- Curiosity: shows genuine enthusiasm for discovering compelling stories, asking probing questions, and exploring subjects thoroughly to uncover authentic narrative potential.
- Empathy: demonstrates sensitivity to contributor experiences, circumstances, and welfare needs while maintaining professional boundaries and editorial objectives.
- Integrity: upholds rigorous standards of fairness, honesty, and accuracy in all aspects of editorial work and contributor relationships.
- Ambition: displays genuine eagerness to develop professional skills, assume greater responsibilities, and advance toward senior editorial roles within television production.
- Adaptability: thrives in unpredictable, rapidly changing production environments while maintaining focus on quality outcomes and team objectives.
- Accountability: consistently takes ownership of assigned tasks and responsibilities, delivering high-quality work while accepting feedback and learning from experiences.