Most commonly reported Work Activities

• Thinking Creatively Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
• Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Interacting With Computers Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
• Organising, Planning, and Prioritising Work Developing specific goals and plans to prioritise, organise, and accomplish your work.
• Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
• Communicating with Persons Outside Organisation Communicating with people outside the organisation, representing the organisation to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.

The Work

Broadcasting production assistants, known as PAs, help television and radio producers to do their job. Their particular tasks depend on the type of programme, its budget and the sise of the production team. However, all PAs have typing and other secretarial duties. For instance, they deal with the producers' letters and telephone calls, typescripts and take notes at meetings. PAs are also usually responsible for getting permission to broadcast material that is covered by copyright.  
 
In preparation for filming or recording, PAs book studios and organise and attend planning meetings. The meetings include the producer and others involved in programme making, such as scriptwriters, designers, costume, make-up and technical crew. PAs record decisions, prepare and circulate schedules and co-ordinate tasks with different departments.  
 
For certain types of programme, such as dramas, PAs liaise with agents and make practical arrangements for actors and actresses. Quis shows and programmes with a studio audience require interviews with contestants and preparation of travel details. After a show, the PA organises the payment of expenses to contestants, presenters and performers. Other planning and organising work can include sorting out transport and accommodation for the crew, and equipment needed to film/record on location.  
 
During studio recording, PAs work in the control room with the producers/directors. In television, they operate controls to record the shots called by the producer/director. A stopwatch is used to make accurate timing records. They provide the countdown and other time cues to presenters and floor managers during the recording or broadcast. After a recording, PAs compile and write up timings ready for editors and producers in the cutting room.  
 
PAs may also take continuity notes during filming. For example, they may keep a check on the weather conditions or character details to make sure they stay the same throughout one scene.  
 
Work for some programmes may involve travel overseas and time away from home.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Write and edit news stories from information collected by reporters and other sources.
• Plan details such as framing, composition, camera movement, sound, and actor movement for each shot or scene.
• Communicate to actors the approach, characterisation, and movement needed for each scene in such a way that rehearsals and takes are minimised.
• Direct live broadcasts, films and recordings, or non-broadcast programming for public entertainment or education.
• Coordinate the activities of writers, directors, managers, and other personnel throughout the production process.
• Study and research scripts to determine how they should be directed.
• Supervise and coordinate the work of camera, lighting, design, and sound crew members.
• Confer with technical directors, managers, crew members, and writers to discuss details of production, such as photography, script, music, sets, and costumes.
• Research production topics using the internet, video archives, and other informational sources.
• Review film, recordings, or rehearsals to ensure conformance to production and broadcast standards.

Further Information

• Broadcasting Production Assistant - from: N.C.S. [UK]

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

Enterprising

Enterprising people like situations that involve using resources for personal or corporate economic gain. Such people may have an opportunistic frame of mind, and are drawn to commerce, trade and making deals. Some pursue sales and marketing occupations. Many will eventually end up owning their own business, or in management roles in larger organisations. They tend to be very goal-oriented and work best when focused on a target. Some have an entrepreneurial inclination.

Creative

Creative people are drawn to careers and activities that enable them to take responsibility for the design, layout or sensory impact of something (visual, auditory etc). They may be atrracted to the traditional artistic pursuits such as painting, sculpture, singing, or music. Or they may show more interest in design activities, such as architecture, animation, or craft areas, such as pottery and ceramics.

Creative people use their personal understanding of people and the world they live in to guide their work. Creative people like to work in unstructured workplaces, enjoy taking risks and prefer a minimum of routine.

Administrative

Administrative people are interested in work that offers security and a sense of being part of a larger process. They may be at their most productive under supervisors who give clear guidelines and while performing routine tasks in a methodical and reliable way.

They tend to enjoy clerical and most forms of office work, where they perform essential administrative duties. They often form the backbone of large and small organisations alike. They may enjoy being in charge of office filing systems, and using computers and other office equipment to keep things running smoothly. They usually like routine work hours and prefer comfortable indoor workplaces.

There are many pathways into PA work for production companies. Many individuals join an Online broadcast, Television or Radio company as a secretary, gain experience and then apply for internally advertised PA posts, or develop skills & qualifications in tandem with experience. 

Training & Development 

FET Centre Traineeship: Business & Office Admin, Customer service, Media in centres around Ireland at NFQ Levels 5-6 Search our FET Coursefinder

FET PLC Courses: Creative digital media, TV & Film studies, Film production, Media studies, Marketing, business administration at NFQ Levels 5-6 Search our FET PLC Coursefinder

Apprenticeship: Accounting, Finance, Sales Apprenticeships NFQ level 6-8 Search Apprenticeships

Higher Education CAO Entry: Digital media, TV & Film production, Meia & Communication, Arts & media studies NFQ Levels 7-8 Search our CAO coursefinder

Postgraduate Study Options Arts & Media, Creative digital media NFQ level 9

Professional Development 

Training for production assistants may be on-the-job. The company may organise short off-the-job courses for trainees.  
 
For a list of TV / Film production companies check IFTV Irish Film & Television Network.

Last Updated: November, 2023

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €25k - €55k

Salaries vary depending on employer, location, experience, and duties.

Data Source(s):
Indeed/ Glassdoor / Salary explorer / Payscale/ Salary expert

Last Updated: March, 2024

* The lower figures typically reflect starting salaries. Higher salaries are awarded to those with greater experience and responsibility. Positions in Dublin sometimes command higher salaries.

View Salary information from Indeed.ie
Note: data not aways available

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

Employment grew strongly between 2021 and 2022, with an additional 7,300 persons employed. As illustrated in the CSO Census data below, employment is spread across a number of roles; since 2016, the strongest growth, in absolute terms, was for graphic designers and authors, writers and translators.

New employment permits issued for this occupation in 2022 were primarily for film/TV and animation/visual effects (VFX) roles but also for linguistics experts in the ICT sector. There was also a high volume of recent job hires in line with the recent employment increase. The data does not point to overall issues with recruitment for these roles.

Skills Gaps in the Irish Animation sector (Animation ireland June 2022). A key central issue was graduate skills in relevant animation software. Specific software requirements and competencies in pipeline and technical specifics were top of the list regarding skills gaps. While studios that produce 2D content have recently moved away from Adobe Animate (Adobe Flash) into Toon Boom Harmony packages, there are a number of studios using less common softwares such as Cel Action and Moho for their 2D content. Studios creating CGI content are largely using Autodesk Maya with some now moving towards open access softwares such as Blender. A massive 50% of Irish animation graduates are working for overseas studios (20%) or working remotely on adult animated content (30%).The remaining 20% of recent Irish animation graduates are not working in the sector.

The Skills Challenge for the Screen Sector in Ireland 2023. Despite the skills shortages there is no effective and efficient way to identify crew who are available for jobs or for crew to be able to identify what positions are available. Recruiting experienced crew is also a major issue. Notwithstanding the current skills shortages, the key message from the interviews and focus groups was that a larger production crew base will be required to meet future live action demand which is probably significantly larger than the size of the existing crew base. Key areas of focus for future skills needs include the areas of skills for sustainability and green production as well as digital and technology related skills, especially in relation to virtual production. 

Note: The following