Every three months, Aquila are on the scout for two enthusiastic individuals to join the team for a 12 week internship. The two positions that will be needed are; a technical assistant with web / graphics background, as well as a production assistant / runner. To find out more, look at the job specifications below. We will keep you posted when the next two positions arise.

While all of our positions are unpaid, the internship will offer successful candidates a great working experience within a dynamic multiplatform independent production and post-production company. Interested? E-mail your CV and a covering letter explaining why you would like to be part of the team. Applications sent by e-mail other than the one indicated will not be considered.

About Aquila TV Ltd: Aquila is a multiplatform production/post-production house combining visuals, web and interactive in a creative and innovative way. It has been a feature of the Midlands media scene for the past 15 years. Its clients range from major broadcasters to corporate and public sectors as well as supporting freelance filmmakers to achieve their dreams. Aquila has been involved in all forms of production and has a keen eye on current trends. Its experience ranges across light entertainment, feature films, documentaries, corporate films for conference or web as well as event management.

TECHNICAL INTERN

Location: Central Birmingham
Type: 12-week Internship
Experience: Entry / Junior Level
Function: Technical Assistant with Graphics and Web Design
Hours: 9am – 6pm (Mon – Fri but some weekend work or out of office hours involved)

Responsibilities

The successful candidate will:

• Help deliver high-quality visuals quickly and with high attention to detail
• Create fresh, new, compelling and usable designs for the web and print
• Creatively combine user experience design (wireframes and mock ups) with ideally bespoke illustrations
• Help produce visual vocabulary and style guidelines
• Help prepare storyboards and page layouts
• Help with duplication and digitising
• Fetch and carry items, such as equipment, tapes, cable and scripts
• Help keep the office tidy plus general administrative duties such as banking, filing, postal run as well as helping keep the office clean – vacuuming, washing up, cleaning toilets
• Undertaking basic research
• Answering the telephone
• Making and handing out tea, coffee and lunches within reason
• Sorting out the kit bags, for example checking that the camera bag contains all the necessary items.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities

The successful candidate will have:

• Ideally some experience of web graphic design experience
• Ideally knowledge of CSS / HTML / Flash / Illustration
• A passion for detailed and original design
• Interest in creating usable web interfaces
• Extreme attention to detail
• Ideally have knowledge of user interface design and web usability rules
• Ideally used Word Press / Photoshop / InDesign / Illustrator.

The following would be a bonus, but not required:

• Experience with Actionscript and Javascript
• Knowledge of Final Cut Pro or Avid

PRODUCTION INTERN

Location: Central Birmingham
Type: 12-week Internship
Experience: Entry / Junior Level
Function: Production Assistant / Researcher / Runner
Hours: 9am – 6pm (Mon – Fri but some weekend work or out of office hours involved)

Responsibilities

The successful candidate will have a variety of role within the company – as a coordinator, as a researcher and performing runner duties.

Runner Duties
There is no single job description as runners act as general assistants and undertake whatever basic tasks are required to ensure the smooth running of the production process. Runners’ general responsibilities include:

• Fetching and carrying items, such as equipment, tapes, cable, paperwork/permissions and scripts
• Helping set up a location if there is a shoot
• Help keep the office or the set clean and tidy
• Answering the telephone
• General administrative work – post, banking, buying office grocery needs
• Making arrangements for staff on location, such as booking meeting rooms or buying food
• Transcribing production tapes or digitising as well as duplication if needed
• Ordering stock
• Making and handing out tea, coffee and lunches
• Help keep the office tidy plus general administrative duties such as banking, filing, postal run as well as helping keep the office clean – vacuuming, washing up, cleaning toilets
• Sorting out the kit bags and kit for hire, for example checking that the camera bag contains all the necessary items
• Help write down shot lists.

This role offers the opportunity to gain vital experience and knowledge of the production process, offering valuable networking opportunities, and is often seen as the first step on the ladder for people aspiring to roles in production.

A production assistant’s role can be technical, creative and administrative and involve supervising set-up and operation of production equipment, programme format planning and research of scripts. They will also maintain production records and help hire equipment. PAs have responsibility for a wide variety of tasks, which may be both menial and complex.

On top of this, there will be some research duties involved with the post. Depending on what production there is, research duties will include:

• Meeting with producers, directors, presenters and writers to discuss the research needs of a programme or idea
• Generating and helping develop new programme ideas
• Conveying findings accurately to others in report form and briefings
• Sourcing and researching facts, figures and information using the Internet mainly, but also film and tape archives, specialist collections, picture libraries, museums if needed
• Helping assess contributors’ suitability for the programme, researching and booking appropriate people and locations
• Help book resources, facilities and freelance staff
• Sourcing copyright for literary and music sources and gaining clearance for any materials used
• Help negotiate broadcasting rights and producing information and fact sheets for websites
• Providing research to production staff in a clear, concise format and tracking down film, archive and video tapes if needed
• Help find interviewees to conduct initial interviews with and getting vox pop responses to current events from members of the public
• Directing a small shoot if needed and carrying out straightforward editing.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities

The successful candidate will:

• Be computer literate
• Have good telephone manners and interpersonal skills
• Be organised
• Have good research skills
• Keen eye for detail
• Good writing skills

OPPORTUNITIES

3D GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Location: Central Birmingham
Type: Freelance
Experience: At least one year experience
Function: 3D Graphics and Web Design
Rate: Dependant on experience
Hours: 9am – 6pm

Responsibilities

The successful candidate will:

• Produce 3D graphics and animations for clients
• Have their own computer (preferably a Mac) with own legal software
• Be proficient in the application of 3D design and graphic software
• Be innovative, creative and have passion for 3D graphic design
• Be able to work within a team or autonomously
• Be part of a meeting and being able to communicate regularly with clients to discuss the aspects and goals of a project
• Must stay abreast of the latest technologies in terms of computerised media and common design programmes such as Flash, Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, Motion, After Effects and Fusion.

Skills and abilities:

• Expert knowledge of web design as well as Flash, CSS and XHTML
• Good working knowledge of software such as After Effects, Motion and/or Fusion and the successful candidate must have their own computer and software
• Must have excellent proofreading skills while also showing high attention to quality and detail
• Must be able to design from rough drafts, sketches and initial ideas while still knowing how to reach just the right audience
• Must effectively manage time in order to meet deadlines while staying within budget constraints.

To apply, e-mail your CV to . Applications sent other than the one indicated will not be considered.