Engineers are the first line of maintenance within Post Production Facilities Houses which provide complete end to end services for off-line, on-line and non-linear editing, visual effects, and DVD production to the independent, corporate and broadcast media sectors.  Post Production involves creatively weaving together visual and audio materials shot or created during the production process, and combining them with other media, graphics, effects, subtitles, archive footage, etc., to create a variety of final products including broadcast programmes, DVD titles, corporate productions, etc. 

Junior Engineering Assistants support the work of the engineering department, and of the Post Production team.  They are employed to keep facilities running, and to integrate new technology.  Because so many Post Production functions are now carried out on or with computers, engineering is often combined with other job roles, particularly those of Tape Operators and Machine Room Assistants.  Junior Engineering Assistants  are usually employees of Facilities companies.

What is the job?
Junior Engineering assistants are responsible for electronic engineering maintenance, technical problem solving in edit suites, and the maintenance of IT systems and networking.  They must understand signal paths, and the principles of unambiguous labelling of every frame of a project using roll numbers and time-codes that conform to recognized industry practices.  They must be able to read oscilloscopes and audio meters; read TV and video signals, chroma and luma, and understand how they work; understand compression; and have knowledge of media formats.  They must be able to identify what is acceptable for which media and broadcaster, and understand the technical specifications for different broadcasters. 

Junior Engineering Assistants must be familiar with the editing systems and graphics within the facility, and be able to solve basic technical problems.  They should know the topology of the edit suites in each facility, and be able to operate, patch and un-patch equipment.  They must know the computer network and operating systems for moving media around the facility, how to digitise media, and make copies.  More experienced Junior Engineering Assistants also manage equipment, identify faults, and use aspect ratio converters (to adjust the shape and size of the screen) and standards converters (to convert between NTSC and PAL standards, for transmission or distribution in different countries).

Typical career routes
Junior Engineering assistants  may progress to become Tape Operators and/or Machine Room Assistants.  Some Engineers may move into other roles within facilities companies, but because they normally have an aptitude for, and interest in, engineering, they usually continue working in engineering roles, and progress to more senior roles within this specialised area of work.

 Essential knowledge and skills
Junior Engineering Assistants must have a basic understanding of media formats, and should be aware of the requirements of various Post Production facilities, equipment and media.

Key Skills include:

• advanced IT skills;
• advanced electronic engineering skills;
• effective team working skills;
• effective communication skills;
• good organisational skills;
• initiative and problem solving skills;
• knowledge of the requirements of the relevant Health and Safety legislation and procedures.

Training and qualifications
Engineering degrees from Ravensbourne College or from other Universities offering recognised degrees in Electronic Engineering are useful for the Junior Engineering Assistant role, although in some cases IT Networking or Computer Programming degrees may be equally relevant.  Broad based degrees are more highly valued.  As good technical knowledge is extremely important, a formal engineering qualification is required.  Personality and communication skills are very well regarded at entry levels.

Where to go for more information
Skillset is the Sector Skills Council for Creative Media. The first sources of information for all jobs in the industry are the National Occupational Standards. Browse Skillset's website for links to our network of training partners, information about training and access to the comprehensive Skillset/BFI course database. Finally, Skillset Careers is UK's only specialist media careers advice service; for detailed media careers information and advice, visit www.skillset.org/careers.

Websites
- UK Screen Association is the trade body for Post Production;

- BECTU, the trade union represents Post Production personnel; 

- BKSTS (The Moving Image Society) publishes Image Technology;

- Chief Engineers of Facilities Forum (ChEFF) (ChEFF)

- BBC Resources

- Digital Post Production

- Broadcast Freelancer

- How Stuff Works

Publications

- Broadcast, weekly newspaper for the UK TV and Radio industry; 

- Televisual, monthly business magazine for the broadcast industry;

-  How Video Works - Weynand & Weise - ISBN 0-240-80614-X

- Nonlinear Editing Basics - Steven Browne - ISBN 0-240-80282-9

All books available from: http://www.focalpress.com/

Glossary

Linear : Editing in formats where it is not possible to move sections around within edited material, e.g., VHS, u-matic or BETA, etc.

Non-Linear : Editing in formats where it is possible to move sections around within edited material, e.g., film, AVID, Edit Pro, etc.

Digitising: Converting all media into digital formats

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Junior Engineer - Post Production

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