Junior Director Pool, Rip Off Britain Series 17 - BBC Studios, Documentary Unit

Contract Dates: Considering successful pool applicants for various contract lengths starting December 2024, You will be responsible for approximately 1x7 minute VT each week. Working with the researchers, and with support from the VT Producer and Series Producer, you will develop your VTs from the initial commissioned idea; plan and write an entertaining and factually accurate shooting script; film your VT; and prepare the edit script.

• You will be well versed and technically confident shooting on FS7 / FX6 cameras and recording sound. Experience with other kit such as go pros, lights, gimbles advantageous.
• You will understand the roles and accountabilities of other team members and will direct them accordingly.
• With support from the VT producer you will ensure your shoot plans are within budget, properly risk assessed and are appropriate for the commissioned vision of the film.
• You'll self-shoot your VTs, with a Shooting Researcher on second camera, or a runner to assist. You'll be the editorial lead on location, responsible for getting the most out of each sequence and contributor.
• You'll develop a solid understanding of the contributors' case and story, working with the VT Producer to understand the editorial policy and legal considerations for your film.
• After filming, you will write an edit script that is to the required length, and brief the edit producer on your vision for the film.
• You will ensure that on-screen content reflects the diversity of British society, and that ethnic and other groups are portrayed appropriately, in line with BBC Producer Guidelines., Joining the pool will mean that you will be offered work as and when opportunities arise. Our focus will be over the next 12 months starting December 2024. Appointment to the pool will not entitle candidates to permanent contracts with the BBC, those will have to be applied for in the normal way. The Talent Pool serves as a database of Junior Directors who have the necessary skills and experience to work with us, and forms a group of candidates that will be considered as a priority should a (non-permanent) position become vacant.
  
  Substantial experience as an assistant producer or researcher, ideally with some experience of consumer TV and dealing with contributors on busy location filming days
• Proven ability to write creative, entertaining and engaging scripts, appropriate for the target daytime audience.
• You must be able to demonstrate creative visual flair
• An understanding of how TV programmes are edited
• You must be willing to work regularly in our Salford office and travel and film on location across the UK in a large but close knit team, working to strict budgets and timetables.
• Ability to originate creative ideas and to maximise programme impact within budgetary restrictions.
• Strong writing skills and the ability to structure narrative.
• A willingness to work to a schedule that requires directors to complete one VT per week on average.
• Knowledge of the BBC's output, that of its competitors and the specific needs of our audience.
• Sound editorial judgement and knowledge of BBC editorial and legal guidelines.
• A good understanding of our audiences to ensure we accurately reflect all under-represented communities.
• Ensure that the production operates within the BBC Editorial Guidelines
• Be a role model for the BBC values & have knowledge and understanding of BBC and external policy and guidelines.
  
  The Documentary Unit at BBC Studios is the home of high quality, thought-provoking and award-winning factual television. Powerful storytelling is at the heart of what we do - underpinned by real journalism viewers can trust. The Documentary Unit, Salford produce a wide breadth of content including The One Show and Rip Off Britain.
Rip Off Britain is the consumer-affairs powerhouse of the BBC Daytime schedule, regularly gaining over 1m viewers. It mixes incisive consumer investigations, compelling human stories and invaluable advice; it holds to account the companies getting things wrong, leaving people out of pocket, or failing to make things easier for their customers. In 2023 we refreshed and relaunched the familiar Rip Off Britain format, and it's been a resounding hit with the audience ever since. For Series 17 we'll building on those changes and we're looking for a Junior Director with the creative skills to deliver entertaining and original VTs, tell heart-felt human stories, and explain often complex narratives in an engaging, accessible way., The BBC is committed to redeploying employees seeking suitable alternative employment within the BBC for different reasons and they will be given priority consideration ahead of other applicants. Priority consideration means for those employees seeking redeployment their application will be considered alongside anyone else at risk of redundancy, prior to any individuals being considered who are not at risk. We don't focus simply on what we do - we also care how we do it. Our values and the way we behave are important to us. Please make sure you've read about our values and behaviours in the document attached below. Diversity matters at the BBC. We have a working environment where we value and respect every individual's unique contribution, enabling all of our employees to thrive and achieve their full potential. We want to attract the broadest range of talented people to be part of the BBC - whether that's to contribute to our programming or our wide range of non-production roles. The more diverse our workforce, the better able we are to respond to and reflect our audiences in all their diversity. We are committed to equality of opportunity and welcome applications from individuals, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, socio-economic background, religion and/or belief. We will consider flexible working requests for all roles, unless operational requirements prevent otherwise.