Overview of the role
The producer in unscripted television is responsible for the editorial development and day-to-day management of specific contributors, storylines, or episodes within the broader series framework. They serve as the primary liaison between contributors and the production team, managing shoots, developing story content, and ensuring filmed material supports the editorial vision established by senior staff.
Operating within the production hierarchy between researchers and senior editorial staff, producers combine strategic story planning with hands-on contributor management. They work closely with series producers, directors, and producer directors to execute editorial objectives while maintaining responsibility for the welfare and authentic portrayal of their assigned contributors.
The producer role requires strong storytelling instincts, exceptional interpersonal skills, and the ability to think editorially while working in unpredictable real-world environments. They must balance creative ambition with practical constraints, ensuring contributors feel supported while delivering content that serves both individual episodes and overarching series narratives.
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.
- Analyse or write treatments, shooting scripts, and story outlines to identify key narrative beats and editorial objectives for assigned storylines.
- Work with series producers and directors to clarify tone, style, visual approach, and specific narrative requirements.
- Conduct comprehensive research on contributors, backgrounds, and thematic content to inform effective questioning strategies and story development.
- Establish clear understanding of how individual shoots and contributors serve broader series objectives and audience expectations.
- Identify potential story challenges and opportunities early in the development process.
- Serve as the primary point of contact for assigned contributors throughout the entire production lifecycle.
- Develop authentic trust and rapport that enables contributors to share their stories openly and comfortably on camera.
- Prepare contributors thoroughly for filming experiences, clearly explaining expectations, processes, and their rights as participants.
- Monitor contributor wellbeing continuously, implementing appropriate support measures and escalating concerns to senior staff when necessary.
- Balance editorial storytelling needs with fairness, accuracy, and comprehensive duty of care responsibilities.
- Conduct detailed research and create comprehensive contributor briefs for directors, producer directors, and technical crews.
- Develop thorough shoot plans that identify essential story beats, interview strategies, coverage requirements, and potential challenges.
- Collaborate with production management to ensure all permissions, legal releases, and logistical arrangements are completed and documented.
- Build contingency plans for common risks including weather disruptions, contributor availability issues, and location access problems.
- Prepare detailed schedules, call sheets, and briefing materials that enable efficient and effective filming.
- Work alongside directors and producer directors to ensure contributors deliver authentic, compelling story material that serves editorial objectives.
- Brief technical crews on story priorities, contributor sensitivities, and required coverage to maximize filming effectiveness.
- Monitor shoots actively, ensuring essential narrative beats are captured and suggesting additional material or pick-ups when needed.
- Conduct interviews or coordinate secondary coverage when required to strengthen storylines or fill narrative gaps.
- Ensure actuality is captured with sufficient clarity and context for effective use in post-production.
- Write targeted interview questions that align with established story arcs, series tone, and editorial objectives.
- Conduct contributor interviews that elicit clear, engaging, and emotionally authentic responses that serve the narrative.
- Ensure contributors provide sufficient context and background information for audiences unfamiliar with their circumstances.
- Monitor interview continuity to ensure responses will edit together effectively and support coherent storytelling.
- Identify story gaps during filming and conduct follow-up questioning to strengthen narrative coherence and emotional impact.
- Anticipate crucial story moments and work with camera crews to ensure they are captured effectively without compromising authenticity.
- Guide contributors sensitively when necessary to ensure story clarity while preserving natural behavior and genuine reactions.
- Organise and coordinate capture of cutaway material, general views, and atmospheric content that enhances editorial storytelling.
- Collaborate with technical crews to balance editorial requirements with established visual style and production standards.
- Ensure sufficient coverage is obtained to provide post-production teams with creative flexibility and narrative options.
- Ensure all contributors receive appropriate briefings regarding their participation rights, responsibilities, and the production process.
- Implement comprehensive safeguarding measures for vulnerable contributors, escalating concerns promptly to appropriate senior staff.
- Monitor editorial fairness and accuracy throughout filming, preventing misrepresentation and ensuring balanced portrayal of real people and situations.
- Maintain awareness of copyright, privacy, and sensitive subject considerations during all filming activities.
- Liaise with production management and compliance teams to ensure all regulatory and ethical standards are consistently met.
- Maintain realistic shooting schedules that balance creative requirements with contributor availability and crew resources.
- Adapt coverage priorities dynamically when facing delays, cancellations, or unexpected developments while preserving essential story elements.
- Ensure efficient and respectful use of both contributor time and technical crew resources throughout filming periods.
- Work within agreed budgets and resource allocations, collaborating with production management to identify and address cost pressures.
- Communicate schedule changes, coverage updates, and potential risks clearly to all relevant production team members.
- Report regularly to series producers and directors with detailed story updates, contributor progress notes, and coverage assessments.
- Support directors and producer directors during filming by providing editorial context and ensuring narrative objectives are achieved.
- Work collaboratively with researchers and assistant producers, providing guidance and mentoring opportunities for junior team members.
- Maintain clear communication with production management regarding permissions, logistics, compliance requirements, and resource needs.
- Contribute to team meetings and editorial discussions, offering insights that support overall series development and quality.
- Provide comprehensive story notes, rushes logs, and editorial guidance that inform and enhance post-production workflows.
- Suggest narrative structure, potential commentary elements, or additional material that could strengthen finished storylines.
- Review assembly cuts and rough edits to ensure story integrity, contributor portrayal accuracy, and adherence to editorial standards.
- Identify and communicate compliance concerns or editorial issues to series producers and senior editorial staff.
- Assist with commentary development or interview pick-up planning when additional material is required to complete narratives.
- Receive feedback from series producers, directors, and other senior editorial staff constructively, implementing changes effectively.
- Adjust editorial approach and contributor management strategies to reflect evolving series requirements or tone modifications.
- Balance multiple sets of notes and requirements from different stakeholders while maintaining focus on core story objectives.
- Provide constructive feedback and professional development support to junior team members, encouraging skill growth and creative confidence.
- Learn from production experiences to continuously improve storytelling effectiveness and contributor relationship management.
- Balance competing demands across multiple contributors, storylines, and filming assignments while maintaining quality standards.
- Coordinate between different production elements to ensure storylines develop cohesively and support overall series structure.
- Prioritize tasks and resources effectively when managing concurrent filming activities and post-production requirements.
- Maintain detailed records and documentation that support ongoing production needs and compliance requirements.
- Support series producers by identifying emerging story opportunities or potential challenges that could impact overall series delivery.
Skills
Check out role specific skills, transferable skills and attributes for the role of producer.
- Strong narrative development abilities with talent for shaping compelling unscripted storylines that engage audiences while serving editorial objectives.
- Excellent contributor management capabilities, building authentic relationships that enable honest, compelling on-screen storytelling.
- Effective shoot planning and execution skills with ability to anticipate challenges and maximize filming efficiency within resource constraints.
- Skilled interview techniques that elicit clear, engaging testimony while maintaining contributor comfort and editorial focus.
- Comprehensive understanding of compliance requirements, duty of care obligations, and editorial policy standards in unscripted television production.
- Confident working both independently on individual storylines and collaboratively within larger production teams and filming environments.
- Strong organisational abilities for managing multiple contributors, concurrent shoots, and competing deadline pressures.
- Communication: demonstrates clear, persuasive, and empathetic communication across diverse audiences including contributors, technical crews, and senior editorial staff.
- Collaboration: works effectively across editorial, production, and technical teams while supporting both junior staff development and senior management objectives.
- Problem-solving: adapts quickly to unexpected challenges, developing creative solutions that preserve story integrity while meeting practical constraints.
- Leadership: provides guidance to junior team members and supports directors and producer directors with contextual knowledge and editorial insights.
- Project management: maintains effective oversight of complex storylines, shooting schedules, and contributor relationships while meeting multiple competing deadlines.
- Resilience: sustains professional performance and creative focus throughout extended production cycles, managing stress while maintaining contributor welfare and story quality.
- Empathy: shows genuine sensitivity to contributor circumstances and needs, creating safe environments that encourage authentic story sharing while respecting personal boundaries.
- Integrity: upholds the highest standards of fairness, accuracy, and editorial honesty in all aspects of contributor relationships and story development.
- Adaptability: responds effectively to changing storylines, production challenges, and evolving editorial requirements while maintaining focus on core objectives.
- Creativity: brings fresh storytelling approaches and innovative solutions to narrative challenges while operating within established format parameters and editorial guidelines.
- Accountability: accepts responsibility for assigned storylines, contributor welfare, and story delivery while working collaboratively within the broader production team.
- Diplomacy: manages sensitive conversations, competing priorities, and complex interpersonal dynamics with professionalism and cultural sensitivity.