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Production Skills
Yorkshire's TV industry is booming in part fuelled by Channel 4's recent decision to set up its HQ in Leeds but while the surge in production is hugely welcome, there are concerns that it is creating significant skills gaps in specific fields.
One of these is the job of Production Co-ordinator or Secretary, an important, but unsung role, which is in great demand by employers. Delivered in collaboration with Screen Yorkshire, this course will outline all key aspects of the role you’ll perform to make sure a TV Production runs smoothly and successfully, from arranging transport and accommodation to keeping filming crews safe on location.
Course information
Start date: Postponed due to COVID-19, please continue to register your interest and we will get back to you when new dates are confirmed.
Course length: One full day on a weekend, followed by a series of part-time evening sessions.
Progression routes: This course can help you become a Production Secretary, Junior Production Co-Ordinator, Production Co-ordinator or Production Manager.
Course description: This course is designed for anyone and everyone. From a beginner with no TV experience to those wishing to re-enter the industry. The course will include lectures, workshops and exercises and is ideal for anyone with:
- A flair for organisation
- An eye for detail
- A desire to work as part of a creative team
Register your interest
Complete your details and we will get back to you about this course
Open the registration formWhat does the Production Co-ordinator do?
The Production Co-ordinator provides all the practical and logistical support to creative programme-making teams (in factual or drama). It's a perfect role for anyone who is thorough, communicates well, has good attention to detail and enjoys the challenge of organising those around them. It doesn't matter if you have worked in the TV industry before or not.
While some may view this role as the less glamorous side of TV production it’s a vital, challenging and rewarding role. Without it, most TV shows wouldn’t get on air.
This taster course will be valuable if you:
- have no previous experience of the role - or the TV industry – but think you may have the right skills and strengths for the job;
- have previously worked in a TV role (or taken a media-related degree) but have taken a break from the industry. Or if you've never managed to get a foot in the door and are looking to restart your career;
- are already working in the industry in a junior capacity and want to develop and enhance your skills, perhaps with the long-term aim of becoming a Production Manager.
The course covers every aspect of the job, from start to finish of the production cycle, in three distinct areas:
- Pre-production – including all preparations and bookings for filming and relevant paperwork;
- Production – liaising with the programme-making team during the principal filming period, either on location or in the studio;
- Post Production – including editing, programme delivery, clearances and clean-up
You will be taught by a range of TV industry professionals, with extensive, high-level experience of the wide range of tasks required to support broadcast-quality programme-making.
It will involve:
- Classroom sessions
- Practical exercises based on real-life TV shows
- Meetings with TV industry professionals, keen to pass on their experience and expertise.
The course has the support of the Leeds Enterprise Partnership, Channel 4 and a host of successful independent production companies – which make TV shows for a wide range of channels such as the BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5, MTV and Discovery.
Is the Course for me?
Before we focus on the skills, you’ll be introduced to the world of contemporary TV programme-making – how it works, how programmes are made, commissioned, financed and delivered. So if you know nothing about TV, don’t worry - all will be explained.
- Using clips of TV shows as a guide, we’ll cover the wide range of productions, genres and platforms (live or recorded, drama or factual, for broadcast or online) which you may be asked to work on and the companies which may employ you.
- You’ll be given a clear vision of what all production roles and responsibilities entail – from Runner to Executive Producer - and where you would fit into that chain of command. And we’ll cover the impact on your role if the production is international, rather than domestic.
- It will explain the nature of the profession – whether you’re office-based or on location, work regular hours or will be flexible on timings and whether you’ll be on staff or employed on a freelance basis. And it will offer a clear and frank appraisal of the job opportunities available when you have completed the course.
Developing your personal strengths
Throughout the course, we’ll identify, develop and enhance the personal strengths and qualities required for production roles, including good attention to detail and accurate spelling.
We’ll have exercises and challenges to help you develop outstanding organisational skills and strong, clear communication and inter-personal skills.
