Assistant Script Editor Talent Pool (Casualty)

BBC Group and Public Services; Cardiff; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job description

Assistant Script Editor Talent Pool (Casualty)

Location: Cardiff, GB, CF10 4GA

Job Closing Date: 13/04/2025

THE ROLE

Contract: Talent Pool

Band: B

About BBC Studios

BBC Studios is a world-renowned content studio and channels & streaming business, powered by British creativity, with a reach that touches audiences in every corner of the globe.

We work with outstanding creative talent who are responsible for platform-defining shows from Strictly Come Dancing to Bluey, Eastenders, Casualty, Prehistoric Planet and Planet Earth III.

The range and quality of our content is unsurpassed, creating critical and commercial successes and global phenomena.

From BAFTAs to RTS Awards, BBC Studios is Britain’s most awarded production company and the only producer with three of the top ten shows on IMDB; we’re the home of bbc.com, the widest-read English language news website in the world; and the UK’s largest distributor of British content.

About Drama Productions

BBC Studios Drama Productions sits at the heart of the UK as our slate of award-winning soaps and dramas continue to bring audiences together week after week.

EastEnders, Casualty, River City and Pobol y Cwm remain a constant source of gripping entertainment, with addictive storylines and loveable characters year on year; as well as award-winning crime drama Silent Witness and our fabulous cosy crime shows Father Brown, and Shakespeare & Hathaway: Private Detectives.

At BBC Studios Drama Productions, we’re passionate about developing and nurturing a creative and diverse workforce. We pride ourselves on providing some of the most supportive, hands-on editorial and production training opportunities across the whole of the UK.

The Role

Are you an experienced Assistant Script Editor? Do you get story and understand how to support a busy script team?

The Assistant Script Editor supports the Script Editor and Script Producer to ensure continuity across all scripts. You will flag issues relating to the consistent treatment of established characters and storylines, and provide clear, concise notes.

You will enjoy supporting others to realise their creative vision and help find ways to overcome issues. You will be aware that we work to tight deadlines and with limited budget and understand the impact this can have on script and story.

This role is an excellent opportunity to support a busy script team and develop the necessary skills to start taking on your own episodes and building relationships with writers.

Importantly, you will be a fan of the show and have a good knowledge of current and past storylines. We will be looking for evidence that you watch the show and have opinions about our scripts and storylines.

Main Responsibilities

1. Check all drafts and scripts for continuity ensuring the consistent treatment of established characters within the storyline and across episodes.
2. Raise inconsistencies or inaccuracies with Script Editors and Writers, and suggest potential solutions.
3. Undertake administrative tasks including the compilation and distribution of an accurate transmission synopsis of each episode and prepare billings for listings magazines.
4. Assist Script Editors to ensure all negative checks (e.g. brand names) are completed and reasonable action has been taken to avoid copyright infringement, libel and defamation.
5. Script edit shadow scripts for a number of episodes across the series, along with providing additional research and script editing when required.
6. Represent the interests of the Writer to the production team whilst ensuring the author consents to all major script changes and alterations and that they are sufficiently aware of the financial implications of editorial decisions.

What does it take?

1. Experience of working as an Assistant Script Editor, or equivalent editorial position, on a TV drama.
2. Experience of working with drama script writers.
3. Strong editorial instincts and interest in script and story. Experience of finding creative solutions to editorial problems.
4. Experience of script reading and writing script reports with an ability to demonstrate sound editorial judgement and sensitivity, both verbally and on paper.
5. Experience of using strong communication skills – written and verbal, online and in person - to work with a range of stakeholders at all levels.
6. Experience and evidence of close attention to detail.
7. Experience of working in a fast-paced environment and delivering to tight deadlines whilst under pressure.
8. Experience of establishing and maintaining office and administration systems.
9. Experience of handling confidential and/or controversial information with tact and sensitivity.
10. Enthusiasm, demonstrable interest and understanding of continuing drama, especially Casualty.

Script Team Talent Pools

The Casualty script team is essential to the show's success. Awarded the best British soap by BAFTA this year, we have increasingly high standards and want to work with exciting, innovative script talent who are as passionate about the show as we are.

These talent pools are an opportunity for us to reach out and engage with people who want to work in our script team.

If you are successfully selected to be in the talent pool it doesn't mean you will definitely end up working with us unfortunately. Being in the pool means you will be considered when opportunities come up.

The application process is designed so you get the chance to try out your skills on our scripts and storylines. If you are invited to an assessment centre you will also meet our producers and editorial team and can showcase your work to them as well as starting to build relationships.

If you are invited to work on Casualty you will need to be based in Cardiff for the duration of the contract, or live within a commutable distance. Unfortunately, we don't provide financial assistance for this or cover expenses.

Life at BBC Studios

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.

The BBC is committed to building a culturally diverse workforce and therefore strongly encourages applications from underrepresented groups. We are committed to equality of opportunity and welcome applications from individuals, regardless of their background.

BBC Studios puts sustainability at the heart of everything we do both onscreen and offscreen, including delivering against the BBC Group’s science-based Net Zero targets.

We are proud to share that we are a Level 2 Disability Confident Employer and we strongly encourage applications from disabled people. If you meet the minimum criteria for this role and declare that you are disabled, we will ensure to advance you to the next stage.

To be considered for this role you will need to be at least 18 years of age at the commencement of your employment.

Please note: If you were to be offered this role, the BBC will conduct Employment screening checks which include Reference checks; Eligibility to work checks; and if applicable to the role, Safeguarding and Adverse media/Social media checks. Any offer made is conditional on these checks being satisfactory.

DISCLAIMER

This job description is a written statement of the essential characteristics of the job, with its principal accountabilities, incorporating a note of the skills, knowledge and experience required for a satisfactory level of performance. This is not intended to be a complete, detailed account of all aspects of the duties involved.