- Job
- Producing
- Free
- 18+ and no degree
- Opened 26th March 2024 / Closed 22nd April 2024
- Website
A 15 month placement with Channel 4's comedy commissioning team, starting in January 2025. Apprenticeships are aimed at school leavers and people who do not have a degree.
Channel 4 are seeking a proactive individual to join their comedy commissioning team as an apprentice and assist in managing diaries, researching comedy gigs, and scouting talent.
They say: "If you are looking for an opportunity to gain work experience and a qualification, then an apprenticeship at Channel 4 might be for you. Our Apprenticeships are full-time, with four days per week spent working in a C4 department and one day per week completing the formal learning parts of the apprenticeship. You'll spend 60% of your working week in your office base and 40% working from home. The formal training provided will consist of workshops, tutorials, webinars, coaching and in some cases residential boot camps.
"In the Comedy team, we commission scripted programmes across Channel 4, on linear TV and on our streaming platform. We make a handful of TV Comedy series each year as well as having short-form platforms for up-and-coming exciting Comedy talent online. Comedy at Channel 4 is original, bold, and distinctive with a real sense of authorship; recent series examples include Big Boys, Derry Girls, We Are Lady Parts and Everyone Else Burns. We work closely with a wide circle of people and departments within Channel 4 including Finance, Press, Acquisitions and Scheduling as well as with other Commissioning Genres.
"We are looking for a proactive and passionate apprentice to learn and assist with predominantly administrative aspects of a busy scripted commissioning department whilst also bringing their energy and problem-solving ideas to the team and learning more about the development and commissioning processes.
"You will be undertaking a range of tasks from reactive to long-form projects; including learning and subsequently leading on various administrative tasks, whilst also gaining insight into the creative side of our department."
Responsibilities
Managing diaries for the team - internal and external meets, including managing room bookings and greeting guests.
Assisting the team - taking minutes in meetings, working across internal systems and the comedy slate (an internal document with info about all of our shows and developments) and assisting in general where required - e.g. sourcing research, liaising with legal and compliance, business affairs, marketing and press teams.
Providing ad hoc administrative support to the commissioners during production processes where required, such as updating schedule dates in diaries.
Coordinating the department's awards process - entries and timelines.
Researching comedy gigs, theatre or screenings that may be relevant to the team's needs.
Reading submitted pitch materials and offering your input and opinion as well as assisting in the process of logging and tracking our responses.
Assisting in event planning and successful executing. We are a team who regularly attend various events both in London and around the UK, as well as planning and running many of our own.
Assisting with Comedy talent scouting. We are a small team looking across a wide range of areas for the best and brightest Comedy talent. This will entail attending things such as Comedy nights, film festivals, theatre productions and talent agency showcases.
Knowledge, skills and experience
As part of the application process you'll be asked to tell us how you meet the essential criteria listed below. When answering this question think about examples from your experience so far, this doesn't need to be professional experience but could be academic, from volunteering or a part-time job.
We've provided some examples beside the first four criteria of experience that could demonstrate you have these skills. Please note you do not need to use these examples, they are just here for guidance and you should draw from your own personal experiences.
Verbal and written communication skills - Verbal - e.g. experience of dealing with customers or working as part of a team.
Communication - e.g. writing emails, completing an application form or essay, or if you have a hobby that involves creative writing.
Attention to detail - e.g. Cashing up on tills or proofreading coursework.
Organisation skills and ability to prioritise tasks - e.g. Planning events whether personal or for professional purposes, as well as managing work life balance, for example working whilst doing coursework/exams.
An understanding of and a passion for Channel 4's remit, and demonstrating a passion for UK Comedy both historic and current
Confirm you have Maths & English GCSE Grade C (4) or above.
Ability to use your initiative to complete tasks and work independently when required.
Computer literacy skills and an ability to embrace new technology and systems including a willingness to make suggestions and come up with new ideas for admin processes.
A proactive, positive and collaborative attitude.
Eligibility criteria
You must be 18 years old or over at the time the scheme starts to apply. There is no upper age limit.
You'll need to have a Grade C (4) or above in Maths & English GCSE.
You can't have already completed the qualification being offered or similar at the same or higher level.
Our apprenticeships are aimed at school leavers and people who do not have a degree.
The programme aims to offer opportunities to those currently underrepresented in the TV industry, so we are particularly keen to hear from Deaf and/or disabled people, ethnically diverse people and people from lower socio-economic groups.