Executive producer

The responsibility for the overall quality control and success of TV productions,
and for ensuring that final products conform to commissioners' specifications.
They are part of the team who are responsible for selecting marketable projects
and ensuring that every step is taken to guarantee success in the market. They
lead the production of a range of television programmes, including dramas, serial
dramas, documentaries and drama documentaries.
On serial dramas, and some entertainment programmes, experienced and wellknown writers may also be credited as Executive Producers. On current affairs
and news programming, the Executive Producer role is often combined with that
of the programme editor. Executive Producers are usually experienced industry
practitioners, who bring their particular, individual skills and talents to this
demanding role.
Executive Producers' roles vary depending on the genre, broadcaster or
production. They must be able to identify commercial, marketable projects from
a range of proposals. They may help to develop scripts. They are responsible for
finding suitable markets for projects.
They may attend TV and film marketing festivals such as Cannes and MIP-TV
International Film and Programme Market for Television. At these, they promote
projects nationally and internationally and secure funding partnerships with
potential sponsors or co-producers. The cost of a television production may be
shared amongst a number of partner organisations who will all eventually
broadcast the finished programmes. They ensure that a range of publicity and
marketing materials are prepared in order to attract co-production partnerships
and funding.
During production Executive Producers may act as a sounding board for
Producers in the decision-making processes. They may be involved in some
aspects of scripting, casting, and/or crewing.
They tend to work on a number of projects at the same time, each at different
stages of production, and often across several different countries. They may view
rushes and rough cuts of programmes, and usually have final approval of the
edited materials.

Director
Directors are responsible for the look and sound of a production and its
technical standards. They work closely with Producers and/or Writers,
enhancing, refining and realising original ideas into finished programmes.
They are responsible for ensuring that the final programme is faithful to
the original concept. They must be able to push boundaries while
remaining in total control of their material. They work across all genres.
They make careful preparations in order to ensure the success of each
shoot. They must have a clear creative vision of the project and what
materials are required to achieve it. Directors should understand the
significance of scenes and how they fit into the overall programme
structure, as well as knowing what is happening within each scene as it is
shot.
To become a TV Director, you will usually need to be an experienced
member of a production or post production team. You could start out as a
Researcher and progress to be a Script Editor, a Story Editor and finally a
Director and/or a Producer.
Alternatively, you could work as a Runner, 2nd Assistant Director, 1st
Assistant Director or a Production Manager before becoming a Director.
Another route in is to start out in a technical role, e.g. camera or editing.
You could also work as a theatre director, acquiring valuable experience of
working with actors, before moving into television after undertaking
specialist technical training on single and multi-camera directing
techniques. Gaining the technical skills of direction does not however
guarantee the roles of a TV producer.

Edit Assistant
Edit Assistants provide basic technical and practical support for Editors,
Telecine Operators, Colourists and other senior staff. This allows senior
staff to concentrate on the creative aspects of Post Production.
Edit Assistants also help with spotting and correcting mistakes in the Post
Production process. They are responsible for preparing Edit suites for use.
They operate caption generators as needed during editing sessions. They
also sort out any problems with the technology in Edit suites.