JOB DESCRIPTION FOR PICTURE EDITOR VISUAL JOURNALISM ARABIC SERVICE

Transcription

1 JOB DESCRIPTION FOR PICTURE EDITOR VISUAL JOURNALISM ARABIC SERVICE Job Title: Picture Editor, Arabic Service. Reports to: Production Editor, Visual Journalism Department: Visual Journalism, BBC News, Mobile and Online Grade: 7H The following job specification is intended to reflect the nature, range, and context of the work. It identifies the main requirements of the job, but is not an exhaustive list of duties. Purpose of the Job BBC News Mobile and Online provides broadcast and digital continuous news to our audiences everywhere. Visual Journalism is a key creative department within Mobile and Online, responsible for ensuring the highest standards are maintained in BBC News Output and is at the centre of the BBC s innovation to develop new forms of News delivery in the rapidly developing multimedia broadcast and digital world. BBC Arabic provides a high quality Television Service to the Middle East. A Picture Editor s role in the Arabic Service is to create highly crafted television output using the very best video and audio available through BBC Newsgathering and broadcast partners. In this process the editor must: assess material against productions' editorial and presentation requirements; edit the available material to meet these requirements and transmission, publishing or production deadlines; and to the professional standards required by BBC News Editing.

2 Principal Duties 1. Edit pictures and sound to support the service s News and Television programmes: Picture Editors are required to: (i) (ii) Work with Producers and/or Reporters, or to a script, brief or outline of the requirements and the story's content. Select pictures and sound to compile a sequence or complete story which will enhance the spoken report, and fit the required running time. In addition are expected to help with the selection of sync and spot appropriate up-sounds to enhance the pace and feel of the story. Be aware of editorial guidelines through completing of the online Editorial Guidelines course covering areas such as legal issues surrounding court cases, fair reporting in elections and sensitivity around stories on race and gender. (iii) Keep the Producer informed of progress during the editing process. Advise the appropriate senior editorial figure of any issues regards completing the edit within the time allowed. Discuss (as time allows) the completed sequence with the Reporter and Producer. Picture Editors may be asked to contribute comments on the script (such as its comprehensibility to the audience), and contribute to the co-ordination of the visual and spoken elements of the report. Re-edit the sequence if required, to meet last minute changes to requirements (particularly running time). (iv) Work at any location and use any editing equipment (editing suites or mobile kit) as circumstances dictate, in accordance with current safety procedures. Plan the editing session and employ appropriate editing techniques to take account of the nature and technical quality of the material, programme deadlines, and the requirements of Producers and Reporters. Editors may be required to do an assessment of the area to determine an appropriate and safe place to work. Be responsible for the overall smooth running of the location operation by becoming a central hub for it. Should an editor be asked to work on Location the appropriate craft and safety training will be given. (v) Editors will liaise with the reporter on script ideas, story structuring, ordering and subsequent use of library material alongside sync selection and picture treatments. If the story is a feed then the editor would liaise with all relevant outlets to ensure the incoming feed is successful. (vi) Help manage and create items for the developing digital services: provide a good flow of information about completed TV News packages to other digital/online teams; add on-screen captions and Astons where necessary; help with production of Media Asset Pages. (vii) Picture editors may assist in the research and sourcing pictures via the Jupiter system and be aware of the published copyright details attached to those images. 2. Record incoming pictures and sound from all sources (including rushes, OBs, agency feeds, satellite, regions and studios). Liaise with remote sources to try and improve the technical quality of the material. Log the recorded shots and complete the editing process, or hand over for editing to others. Transmit sequences directly into live News programmes, when necessary.

3 3. Record edited stories from remote locations. Make final edit to stories prepared where shooting and editing conditions are difficult, to refine them for transmission. In order to monitor the progress of incoming material editors should understand how the latest versions of FTP such as JFE work. To be able to detect and identify early in the process, any problems or difficulties that are occurring and to suggest and implement any remedial action that is necessary. Training will be given as required. 4. Liaise, record and edit Graphics for inclusion in BBC News packages and programmes. Also to provide relevant material necessary for GFX creation and help develop the most efficient work flow for GFX sequences to be included in packages e.g. providing guide voice tracks or pre-edited sequences whatever the situation dictates. Editors are also expected to supplement graphics when they are under operational pressure whether that be the simple treatment of stills or keying on Astons etc. 5. To create and develop visual effects treatments to enhance the telling of a story. To create text and subtitles where necessary, within the BBC News Graphics brand. In addition to be aware of editorial guidelines regarding the blurring or disguising of faces or number plates and or discernible locations. Also to be able to work in conjunction with other editors to create and design effects that may be used as a template for others to follow 6. Work in close co-operation with the production team to appreciate Producers' intentions and provide edited material to suit these. Have a pro-active involvement in story ideas from conception to completion. This may involve generating ideas and image treatments from scratch using FX to compliment the edit. 7. At the start of editing sessions on location and in base, ensure that equipment is aligned and operating to the required technical and safety standards. This will include managing the hard drive memory available on the editing machine so that sufficient space is available for the requirements of the edit whilst working with the production team to make sure that essential media is not deleted. Be aware of potential technical problems and pre-plan a work-around response. 8. Complete all necessary paperwork and administrative tasks to log the work done in the editing session, and contribute to the safe operation of the Editing Department in close liaison with the Team Leader and the Production Editor. 9. Copy material from archive and other sources for customer departments. Including awareness of site to site transfers and being able to JEX material both internally and externally to those in the field. Training to be given as needed. 10. To complete all legal online courses deemed necessary by Production guidelines so they are in compliance with all other journalistic areas of output. 11. Ensure any completed programmes are delivered for transmission in good time and are saved in the relevant archive; whether this is Jupiter or a local drive. The editor should be given time in the edit for the archiving process to be completed.

4 12. Attend Editing staff meetings when possible. 13. May very occasionally be required to act up as a Team Leader; training and remuneration will be given. Working Circumstances Picture Editors are allocated to programmes from a pool. They often work alone, but may work with other personnel. Picture Editors are likely to work with a different production team or Reporter for each assignment. They must have a very flexible approach to their working circumstances and working practises. They are liable to be allocated to any relevant Persian/Arabic TV or BBC News programme, and are required to work irregular hours, including nights and weekends, and at any UK or overseas location. They must be prepared to carry out their work in difficult circumstances. Equipment Used The editing platforms currently used across Arabic TV are Q-Edit and Final Cut Pro. The systems supporting these platforms are Jupiter and ENPS. Experience, Knowledge & Skills 1. Picture Editors must have a comprehensive knowledge of craft editing techniques. They must have acquired the skill of adapting their editing techniques to suit the varying demands of News and Current Affairs programmes, and the material and time available. In Arabic TV all editors are expected to be able to edit using both FCP and Qedit. 2. You must have a comprehensive knowledge of BBC safety procedures in base and on location. Training will be given when necessary. 3. A thorough understanding of television production techniques is necessary. You must be able to work effectively with production teams and understand their requirements, operational and artistic. 4. You must know the transmission procedures and talkback techniques associated with the programmes you work on. You must have experience in recording and transmitting pictures and sound in all broadcast formats. You must be able to adapt quickly to technological change and acquire any relevant knowledge that ensues. Training will be given in these circumstances. 5. You must fully understand new ways material is delivered from the field and possible issues arising from these new delivery methods. 6. A comprehensive knowledge of and interest in News and Current Affairs; both in the UK and in the regions the services broadcast to; is essential, as is the ability to assimilate information rapidly, and identify the key elements of the story which must be illustrated. 7. You will have good interpersonal skills and able to establish harmonious working relationships with a variety of personalities, and maintain these under pressure. You must be able to communicate effectively with Producers and others to keep them informed on progress and to clarify production requirements. A constant awareness of the need for good working relationships across all teams is essential.

5 8. Willingness to adapt and be trained on new editing platforms and to maintain the acquired skills to a high level. 9. An understanding of the systems that support the edit platforms e.g. ENPS and Jupiter and File Transfer. 10. Detailed awareness of BBC News services and output across platforms, the various audience needs of different outlets, and the way production teams interact within the multimedia newsroom. 11. Editors will be able to specify facilities and equipment hire to meet current and future operational requirements. COMPETENCIES Imagination/Creative Thinking - Is able to problem solve and be proactive in achieving editorial objectives with limited resources. Planning and Organising - Is able to think ahead in order to establish an efficient and appropriate course of action for self and others. Prioritises and plans activities taking into account all the relevant issues and factors such as deadlines, staffing and resources requirements. Resilience - Can maintain personal effectiveness by managing emotions in the face of pressure, setbacks or when dealing with provocative situations. Can demonstrate an approach to work that is characterised by commitment, motivation and energy. Can work unsupervised and make decisions in a busy newsroom environment. Influence & Persuading - Ability to present sound and well-reasoned arguments to convince others. Can draw from a range of strategies, to persuade people in a way that results in agreement or behaviour change. Managing Relationships & Team Working - Able to build and maintain effective working relationships with a range of people. Works co-operatively with others to be part of a team, as opposed to working separately or competitively. WHAT IF THE TEAM YOU RE WORKING WITH IS NOT BEING FAIR AND Co-operative Editorial Judgement - Demonstrates balanced and objective judgement based on a thorough understanding of BBC editorial guidelines, target audience, programme and department objectives. Communication - able to get ones message understood clearly by adopting a range of styles, tools and techniques appropriate to the audience and the nature of the information. Language Fluency in Arabic would be an advantage. Flexibility - adapts and works effectively with a variety of situations, individuals or groups. Able to understand and appreciate different and opposing perspectives on an issue, to adapt an approach as the requirements of a situation change, and to change or easily accept changes in one s own organisation. Opportunity Editors will be treated equally and have access to a wide range of training and promotion opportunities to allow them the chance to develop their careers at the BBC Respect - In line with our BBC Values we strive to offer an environment where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. We do not tolerate bullying or harassment.

6 Understanding Diversity - Understands and appreciates the uniqueness of self and others. Demonstrates, and is committed to improving, understanding of why people react in particular ways. Understanding diversity in its widest sense. Demonstrates a commitment to improving diversity in the BBC. Takes a balanced approach to discussing and taking action on diversity issues. Articulates how individual differences can benefit the BBC. At the BBC we respect each other and celebrate our differences so that everyone gives their best. The BBC positively encourages applications from all parts of the community and is committed to promoting equality of opportunity. It is important to BBC News that all employees come from and reflect the different communities across the UK. We value their understanding, experience and knowledge which enables us to communicate with our audiences.