Job Introduction
BBC Studios Natural History Unit (NHU) is acknowledged as the leading maker of television and radio programmes on wildlife and natural history anywhere in the world.
Renowned for innovative production techniques, the makers of Planet Earth 2, Blue Planet 2 and Seven Worlds One Planet are now embarking on a new ambitious landmark series for major American broadcaster NBCU. Filming in multiple locations from the frozen Arctic to the southern tip of Patagonia we aim to capture engaging characters and reveal extraordinary new animal behaviour.
To help achieve the highest creative vision for blue chip natural history filmmaking, we’re offering up to three Junior Camera Operator positions of 12 months duration to individuals with experience of natural history filming and field wildlife observation. This is a unique opportunity to grow expertise in filming across a range of platforms including drone, time-lapse, and both wide angle and long lens gimbal photography– supported by the expertise of the NHU.
We’ll ensure you have the opportunity to attend courses relevant to this role such as GSS/Shotover training, as well as working alongside the industry's top wildlife camera operators and programme makers. You will also be allocated a mentor to help and support you. You’ll have the opportunity to gain knowledge about the latest wildlife production and photographic processes as well as preparing work in the production offices and providing assistance/shooting in the field. Please note the role may include travel to locations in the UK as well as overseas.
All wildlife content is acquired from freelance operators; there are no BBC staff positions in this category. Consequently, on completion you will be released to compete on the freelance market for work, either from the NHU or elsewhere. This opportunity is aimed at those with sufficient relevant skills and experience to enable rapid progress to full professional competence.
You will need to include a link to your showreel as part of your application. In addition to this, complete sequences will be advantageous.
*Please note if you do not include a link to your showreel we will not consider your application*.
Role Responsibility
The chosen candidate(s) will be a proactive and flexible member of the production team, both at base and on location. Their day to day work may include but is not limited to:
- Assisting the production team in purchasing, developing, and testing bespoke camera kits and field equipment prior to filming.
- Working closely with field directors in the preparation, transport and set up of a range of cameras, as currently used in wildlife content acquisition.
- Being part of the research and development of production ideas, turning them into shooting scripts and schedules.
- On location undertaking the preparation, maintenance, installation and operation of a range of cameras and any ancillary equipment as necessary.
- Logging and managing recorded data on location and at base.
- Providing written records of relevant information as required by the management of the production.
- Providing written and visual material for all media and platforms as required by the production.
- Operating unsupervised when appropriately experienced and briefed.
Are you the right candidate?
- Experience of shooting in 4K.
- At least one broadcast and/or corporate credit.
- Knowledge and understanding of photographic techniques applicable to wildlife production, including complex camera technology.
- An aptitude and passion for a particular filming technique/genre will be of value.
- Technical expertise that must include: an understanding of the underlying principles of video and still digital photography; hands-on operation of digital cameras; an understanding of the processes associated with supplying material for websites and web pages.
- The ability to work with Directors as part of a team.
- A flair for creative composition.
- The ability to understand complex programme making technology.
- Technical and IT skills to operate with confidence a range of appropriate applications used in footage acquisition and media management.
- A strong interest in natural history programme making, and an aptitude and passion a particular filming technique/genre
- Wide experience of observing animals in the wild and setting up wildlife sequences, including remote and hostile environments.
- The patience, tenacity and determination required to acquire detailed behavioural content of wildlife.
- Appropriate experience and resilience to cope with remote and hostile locations.
- A right to work in the UK is essential.
- This role will require long periods away from home. When not on location filming it will be advantageous to be based in Bristol.
- In addition to the above UK based positions, we may be exploring the feasibility of a US/South American based role.
- Whilst not required, please highlight any legal residency within North or South America; and/or fluency in Spanish/ Portuguese.
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Package Description
Band: B
Contract type: Fixed term, 12 months
Location: Bristol/on location
Start date: TBC but no earlier than Jan 2021
Interviews will take place via Zoom in December 2020
We’re happy to discuss flexible working. Please indicate your choice under the flexible working question in the application. There is no obligation to raise this at the application stage but if you wish to do so, you are welcome to. Flexible working will be part of the discussion at offer stage.
- Excellent career progression – the BBC offers great opportunities for employees to seek new challenges and work in different areas of the organisation.
- Unrivalled training and development opportunities – our in-house Academy hosts a wide range of internal and external courses and certification.
- Benefits- We offer a competitive salary package, a flexible 35-hour working week for work-life balance and 26 days (1 of which is a corporation day) with the option to buy an extra 5 days, a defined pension scheme and discounted dental, health care, gym and much more.
To reduce the risk from Covid 19 access to BBC buildings is limited to those essential to our broadcast output. Until further notice all assessments and interviews will be conducted remotely. For more information go to https://www.bbc.co.uk/careers/
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