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Name: Joanne Salisbury
Job title: Sound Engineer and Camera Operator in Broadcasting
Company: Freelance
Please describe what your job typically involves
I’m sure that many people will say this, but honestly there isn’t really a “typical” day. I work in broadcasting mostly as a sound assistant. I work on many different programmes including sport such as Wimbledon Tennis, Six Nations rugby, football matches and olympic games. I also work on political programmes, news, and current affairs. I do music festivals like V festival and events like The BBC Proms at The Royal Albert Hall. I’ve also worked on light entertainment programmes such as the Late Late Show and reality shows such as Big Brother, First Dates and Second Chance Salon. My job requires me to rig and de-rig microphones and audio equipment including cables and radio kit. Basically I make sure the microphones are in the right place including on people and that the right people can hear the right things. When I’m operating cameras I have to frame, focus and move the camera as directed to follow the action or creatively.
Why did you want to do this job, what inspired you?
Well I always knew that an office job wasn’t going to be for me. My Mum is a photographer and my Dad an engineer so becoming a camera operator seemed the logical choice really. I was a bit of a geek so love the engineering aspect of the job, but I was also super creative and captain of the gym team so I wanted something that was physical, creative, geeky, dealt with pictures and told stories. I also knew that I wanted a job that took me to different places. I didn’t know anyone at all that did this job and honestly wasn’t really into sport or television at all growing up, but I decided at 12 that I wanted to be a camera operator visited a couple of television studios and loved the atmosphere.
What qualifications do you need for this job?
I don’t think that there are any formal qualifications for this job, but I got a degree in Film and Media and English and to be an engineer I needed maths A-level. Most people coming into the industry now have degrees in television operations, or film and media. Ravensbourne University degrees are considered the industry standard, but the best way of getting into the job is to show willingness, start at the bottom and get as much experience as you possibly can. Get out there, talk to people, make films of your own, record bands yourself. Create a body of work that shows your passion and willingness to learn.
Did you go to college, university, or did you do an apprenticeship or other form of training?
I went to University and got a joint honours degree in English and Film and Media. I have done most of my training, both formal and informal on the job. Both Channel Four and the BBC have been incredibly supportive in my career progression. I started in one discipline and pushed hard to get training and gain other skills.
Are you required to do ongoing training?
Again, I’m sure everyone says this, but I’m learning every day. The technology is changing all the time. When I first started we were playing the news headlines off tape and the programmes we transmitted at Channel Four were on 7 foot high one inch tape machines. Now everything is on servers, editing is non linear and cameras and microphones can be hidden in the smallest of places. Although there is no formal requirement for ongoing training, if I didn’t keep up with the latest technologies and constantly update my skill set or I wouldn’t have any work.
Have you always done this job or have you changed career? What did you do before?
I’ve worked in television since I left university, but the job I’ve done has changed over the years. I started as a video tape operator watching and technically grading television programmes, playing out content and doing slo-mos on football matches. I left Channel Four and got a job with the BBC on the back of my tape operating experience, as a multi skilled operator and then pestered to get as much experience as possible operating cameras. From there I got floor managing experience and learnt sound mixing. I got an attachment to radio and pushed to get outside broadcast experience. I then left to go back to Channel Four as a camera operator and eventually went freelance where I found I was in greatest demand as a sound assistant, but I’m very happy to turn myself to anything anyone offers me.
Before all that of course I had summer and holiday jobs which included photographer in the holiday camps, shop assistant, actor from the age of eight and even worked in a circus one summer and trained as a circus skills teacher.
What do you like most about your job?
I love my job! I love going to places and getting paid for it. I love being at the most exciting places at the most exciting times and I love getting to be places that are’t normally open to the public like up in the very spire of Liverpool cathedral hanging microphones down over the congregation or seeing new year in at a great gig or being outside 10 Downing Street at the very moment the new prime minister enters the building or simply being with people at the most special times in their lives as they win world championships or gold medals. Also it’s a very friendly and supportive environment. It’s the sort of job that gives you immediate and positive feedback. Solving problems with creative solutions is really satisfying.
Are there any downsides?
The hours and the weather. It’s really anti-social. I work weekends and 16 hour shifts. I have to have very understanding friends. I’m often cold, wet, tried and hungry. Oh and some of those boxes are really heavy and there is often sooooo many stairs.
What advice would you give to a young person, who wanted to do a similar job, about how to get started?
Get experience even if it is just recording your mate’s band or filming a school concert. Whenever you get the chance to talk to someone doing the job talk to them and watch and learn. Everyone who works in television loves talking about what they do. Most people have worked hard to get where they are so they love telling you about it. If you’re at football match try and engage the camera operator in conversation and tell them what you want to do. At a festival or gig stand next to the sound desk, watch and listen to the technician and talk to them. Obviously you have to choose your moment, but the nature of the job is that it’s crazy busy then there is a lot of waiting around. I’d give this advice no matter what career you fancy - find the people who are doing the job you want and engage with them. Be passionate about your job whatever it is and don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t do it. Wanting the job, really wanting it, often goes a long way to achieving it.
What do you like to do when you’re not at work? Interests, hobbies, etc.
I’m passionate about music even though I have no talent myself so I dig out indie music. I even do a little podcast type radio show where I find music I like and share it with others. Check it out www.josiejoshow.com I also go to a lot of live music and photograph bands and video them. I take a lot of photographs, love to travel and get to as many live and unusual events as I possibly can.
Any other information
I’ve done some amazing stuff and I wouldn’t change a thing, but I do work very long hours and have periods when I don’t get any days off at all working 90 days straight. I spend a lot of time travelling which is often expensive and not always much fun. Like any job it’s sounds really glamorous, but the reality is often cold wet feet, muddy knees people shouting at you in frustration. If you want to work on the technical side of outside broadcasts invest in good shoes and water proofs, turn up on time, never forget your accreditation and always, always be nice to the riggers.
Job title: Sound Engineer and Camera Operator in Broadcasting
Company: Freelance
Please describe what your job typically involves
I’m sure that many people will say this, but honestly there isn’t really a “typical” day. I work in broadcasting mostly as a sound assistant. I work on many different programmes including sport such as Wimbledon Tennis, Six Nations rugby, football matches and olympic games. I also work on political programmes, news, and current affairs. I do music festivals like V festival and events like The BBC Proms at The Royal Albert Hall. I’ve also worked on light entertainment programmes such as the Late Late Show and reality shows such as Big Brother, First Dates and Second Chance Salon. My job requires me to rig and de-rig microphones and audio equipment including cables and radio kit. Basically I make sure the microphones are in the right place including on people and that the right people can hear the right things. When I’m operating cameras I have to frame, focus and move the camera as directed to follow the action or creatively.
Why did you want to do this job, what inspired you?
Well I always knew that an office job wasn’t going to be for me. My Mum is a photographer and my Dad an engineer so becoming a camera operator seemed the logical choice really. I was a bit of a geek so love the engineering aspect of the job, but I was also super creative and captain of the gym team so I wanted something that was physical, creative, geeky, dealt with pictures and told stories. I also knew that I wanted a job that took me to different places. I didn’t know anyone at all that did this job and honestly wasn’t really into sport or television at all growing up, but I decided at 12 that I wanted to be a camera operator visited a couple of television studios and loved the atmosphere.
What qualifications do you need for this job?
I don’t think that there are any formal qualifications for this job, but I got a degree in Film and Media and English and to be an engineer I needed maths A-level. Most people coming into the industry now have degrees in television operations, or film and media. Ravensbourne University degrees are considered the industry standard, but the best way of getting into the job is to show willingness, start at the bottom and get as much experience as you possibly can. Get out there, talk to people, make films of your own, record bands yourself. Create a body of work that shows your passion and willingness to learn.
Did you go to college, university, or did you do an apprenticeship or other form of training?
I went to University and got a joint honours degree in English and Film and Media. I have done most of my training, both formal and informal on the job. Both Channel Four and the BBC have been incredibly supportive in my career progression. I started in one discipline and pushed hard to get training and gain other skills.
Are you required to do ongoing training?
Again, I’m sure everyone says this, but I’m learning every day. The technology is changing all the time. When I first started we were playing the news headlines off tape and the programmes we transmitted at Channel Four were on 7 foot high one inch tape machines. Now everything is on servers, editing is non linear and cameras and microphones can be hidden in the smallest of places. Although there is no formal requirement for ongoing training, if I didn’t keep up with the latest technologies and constantly update my skill set or I wouldn’t have any work.
Have you always done this job or have you changed career? What did you do before?
I’ve worked in television since I left university, but the job I’ve done has changed over the years. I started as a video tape operator watching and technically grading television programmes, playing out content and doing slo-mos on football matches. I left Channel Four and got a job with the BBC on the back of my tape operating experience, as a multi skilled operator and then pestered to get as much experience as possible operating cameras. From there I got floor managing experience and learnt sound mixing. I got an attachment to radio and pushed to get outside broadcast experience. I then left to go back to Channel Four as a camera operator and eventually went freelance where I found I was in greatest demand as a sound assistant, but I’m very happy to turn myself to anything anyone offers me.
Before all that of course I had summer and holiday jobs which included photographer in the holiday camps, shop assistant, actor from the age of eight and even worked in a circus one summer and trained as a circus skills teacher.
What do you like most about your job?
I love my job! I love going to places and getting paid for it. I love being at the most exciting places at the most exciting times and I love getting to be places that are’t normally open to the public like up in the very spire of Liverpool cathedral hanging microphones down over the congregation or seeing new year in at a great gig or being outside 10 Downing Street at the very moment the new prime minister enters the building or simply being with people at the most special times in their lives as they win world championships or gold medals. Also it’s a very friendly and supportive environment. It’s the sort of job that gives you immediate and positive feedback. Solving problems with creative solutions is really satisfying.
Are there any downsides?
The hours and the weather. It’s really anti-social. I work weekends and 16 hour shifts. I have to have very understanding friends. I’m often cold, wet, tried and hungry. Oh and some of those boxes are really heavy and there is often sooooo many stairs.
What advice would you give to a young person, who wanted to do a similar job, about how to get started?
Get experience even if it is just recording your mate’s band or filming a school concert. Whenever you get the chance to talk to someone doing the job talk to them and watch and learn. Everyone who works in television loves talking about what they do. Most people have worked hard to get where they are so they love telling you about it. If you’re at football match try and engage the camera operator in conversation and tell them what you want to do. At a festival or gig stand next to the sound desk, watch and listen to the technician and talk to them. Obviously you have to choose your moment, but the nature of the job is that it’s crazy busy then there is a lot of waiting around. I’d give this advice no matter what career you fancy - find the people who are doing the job you want and engage with them. Be passionate about your job whatever it is and don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t do it. Wanting the job, really wanting it, often goes a long way to achieving it.
What do you like to do when you’re not at work? Interests, hobbies, etc.
I’m passionate about music even though I have no talent myself so I dig out indie music. I even do a little podcast type radio show where I find music I like and share it with others. Check it out www.josiejoshow.com I also go to a lot of live music and photograph bands and video them. I take a lot of photographs, love to travel and get to as many live and unusual events as I possibly can.
Any other information
I’ve done some amazing stuff and I wouldn’t change a thing, but I do work very long hours and have periods when I don’t get any days off at all working 90 days straight. I spend a lot of time travelling which is often expensive and not always much fun. Like any job it’s sounds really glamorous, but the reality is often cold wet feet, muddy knees people shouting at you in frustration. If you want to work on the technical side of outside broadcasts invest in good shoes and water proofs, turn up on time, never forget your accreditation and always, always be nice to the riggers.
