Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for TV Intern

🎯 Role Definition

We are seeking a motivated TV Intern to support studio and field production teams across editorial, technical and digital workflows. As a TV Intern, you will assist producers, camera operators, editors and control room staff in delivering broadcast-quality segments, clips and social-first content. This hands-on internship is ideal for students or recent graduates in film, journalism, communications or media production who want real-world experience in live TV, multicamera studio shoots, post-production editing and content distribution. The TV Intern will perform research, logging, assist on shoots, handle basic camera and audio setups, create social clips, and support show rundowns while learning broadcast standards, rights clearance and talent coordination.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

College/university student majoring in Film, Journalism, Media Studies, or Communications.
Campus media/college TV production assistant or student-run station volunteer.
Freelance production assistant or volunteer on local shoots and events.

Advancement To:

Production Assistant (PA) / Studio PA
Associate Producer / Segment Producer
Editorial Assistant / Digital Producer
Junior Video Editor or Assistant Editor

Lateral Moves:

Social Media Coordinator / Digital Content Producer
Camera Assistant / Grip or Lighting Technician

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Assist producers and segment producers by researching story ideas, compiling background material, sourcing b-roll and preparing clear, concise research briefs and guest bios for editorial meetings and live broadcasts.
Support studio and field camera crews by setting up, operating, and striking cameras, tripods, basic lighting and lavalier microphones under direction; follow shot lists and framing guidance to capture broadcast-ready footage.
Log, ingest and organize raw footage and audio into the station's media asset management system, including accurate metadata, timecodes, keyword tags and clip descriptions to ensure efficient retrieval for projects and archives.
Edit short-form segments and social video clips using Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro or Avid, applying basic color correction, audio leveling and clean cuts while following editorial direction and broadcast runtime constraints.
Prepare and maintain show rundowns, cue sheets and segment timing documents; assist producers in compiling graphics lists, lower-third text, teleprompter scripts and show rundowns for live and pre-recorded episodes.
Operate teleprompter and autocue systems when required; load teleprompter scripts, verify text accuracy and run practice cues with on-air talent under supervision.
Assist control room staff by running playback devices, queuing video clips, logging live feeds, monitoring audio levels and communicating via IFB/headset to support smooth live broadcasts and remote contributions.
Coordinate guest logistics by contacting guests, confirming availability and arrival times, preparing release forms and talent packages, and escorting guests on-set while maintaining professional on-camera preparation.
Perform basic audio mixing tasks, check wireless microphone frequencies, troubleshoot common audio issues, and ensure clean audio capture for studio and field recordings.
Prepare camera kits, batteries, media cards and backup drives for shoots; manage equipment inventory, conduct routine maintenance and ensure safe transport and storage of technical gear.
Transcribe interviews, prepare closed-captioning files, and apply accurate timecode-based captions to recorded segments in compliance with broadcast accessibility standards.
Assist graphic designers and motion graphics teams by providing video clips, suggested still frames and accurate text for lower-thirds, transitions and broadcast overlays; verify on-screen copy for spelling and accuracy.
Support post-production workflows by conforming sequences, preparing deliverables in required codecs/formats for broadcast and digital platforms, and verifying technical specifications for transmission or upload.
Monitor live feeds and social platforms during broadcasts; clip highlights, generate on-the-fly social assets and collaborate with digital teams to optimize distribution across YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter/X and Facebook.
Conduct fact-checking and legal clearances for music, archival footage and third-party content; assist with rights documentation and digital release forms to ensure compliance with copyright and broadcast standards.
Assist in multicamera switching and camera shading support when requested, under the direction of the technical director and lead camera operators, to learn live production control room operations.
Help maintain studio and location safety protocols, including cable management, rigging checks, COVID or health-related guidelines and on-set housekeeping to ensure a safe production environment.
Archive finished shows and segments, label and store master tapes or digital files, and maintain an organized, searchable archive for future use and repurposing across platforms.
Attend editorial and production meetings, pitch story angles and contribute creative ideas for segments, social-first formats and promotional campaigns while learning newsroom rhythms and deadlines.
Support field shoots by coordinating permits, location releases and basic logistics such as parking, craft services and crew travel; ensure accurate production call sheets and contact lists are distributed.
Track performance metrics for published content (views, engagement, retention) and assist digital producers in compiling simple analytics summaries to inform editorial and promotional strategies.
Shadow producers and post-team members to learn budgeting basics, vendor coordination and scheduling for shoots and editing timelines; help prepare expense reports and equipment rental paperwork when needed.
Provide general administrative support such as answering production emails, handling timely paperwork (releases, invoices), ordering expendables and maintaining a professional, can-do attitude in a fast-paced broadcast environment.

Secondary Functions

Create short-form promotional clips and vertical video edits optimized for social platforms and discoverability, applying best practices for SEO, attention-grabbing openers and call-to-action overlays.
Assist with crafting episode descriptions, metadata, tags and optimized titles for YouTube and other platforms to improve search visibility and audience discovery.
Support ad-hoc creative projects including studio set dressing, basic prop coordination and coordinating minor wardrobe adjustments for on-air talent.
Participate in post-mortem reviews and editorial debriefs to document lessons learned and recommend process improvements for production and distribution workflows.
Train and mentor new interns on basic production procedures, safety protocols, and station workflow to ensure continuity and consistent quality across intern cohorts.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Proficient with non-linear editing software: Adobe Premiere Pro and/or Final Cut Pro; familiarity with Avid Media Composer is a plus.
Basic camera operation and support: DSLRs, mirrorless cameras, ENG cameras, tripods, basic lens selection and framing techniques.
Audio fundamentals: lavalier and handheld mics, shotgun microphones, basic field mixing and audio troubleshooting.
Knowledge of studio workflows: teleprompter operation, multicamera setups, switcher basics and control room etiquette.
Media asset management and file transfer: ingesting, transcoding, proxy workflows, and organizing drives with proper metadata and naming conventions.
Understanding of broadcast video formats, codecs, resolution standards (HD/SD/4K), aspect ratios and deliverable specifications.
Basic color correction and audio mixing skills to prepare broadcast and digital-ready assets.
Experience creating social-first formats: vertical/short-form editing, captions, overlays and thumbnail creation optimized for platform discoverability.
Familiarity with motion graphics tools such as Adobe After Effects and graphic prep for lower-thirds and overlays (basic skills).
Captioning and transcription tools knowledge; capability to prepare closed captions and subtitles for compliance and accessibility.
Basic knowledge of copyright, music licensing, and talent release procedures to support legal clearance processes.

Soft Skills

Excellent written and verbal communication skills for clear, professional interactions with producers, talent and crew.
Strong attention to detail with a commitment to accuracy in logging, metadata, script text and on-air copy.
Proactive, can-do attitude and eagerness to learn in a high-pressure, deadline-driven broadcast environment.
Time management and multi-tasking: ability to prioritize tasks for live shows and fast turnaround post-production.
Teamwork and collaboration: comfortable taking direction and contributing constructive ideas in editorial and technical teams.
Problem-solving under pressure: quick troubleshooting of technical or editorial issues during live or taped productions.
Adaptability and flexibility: willingness to work irregular hours, early call times, and occasional weekends for shoots.
Professionalism and discretion when handling sensitive editorial content, talent interactions and confidential materials.
Curiosity and initiative: strong desire to learn storytelling, technical production and digital distribution best practices.
Cultural and audience awareness: understanding of target demographics and tone appropriate for on-air and social content.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High school diploma or equivalent; currently enrolled in or recently graduated from a college or university program is preferred.

Preferred Education:

Bachelor's degree or progress toward a degree in Film Production, Broadcast Journalism, Media Studies, Communications, Digital Media or a related field.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Film, Television and Media Production
Broadcast Journalism and Communications
Digital Media, Marketing or Social Media Strategy
Journalism, Newsroom Practices and Media Ethics

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

0 to 2 years (entry-level internship); relevant coursework, student media, volunteer or freelance production experience expected.

Preferred:

Prior internship or hands-on experience in a TV station, production company, newsroom or digital video team.
Demonstrated editing portfolio with short-form and long-form examples (personal projects, school work, or professional clips).
Familiarity with studio sets, multicamera shoots, field production and basic post-production workflows.