Unscripted TV
The term ‘unscripted’ really means ‘without actors’, in truth, every TV programme has a narrative and script. It’s perhaps easiest to think of unscripted TV as non-fiction television. It can be on any subject, from natural history, religion and music to dating, interior design or learning a skill. It’s programmed on primetime TV, daytime TV and children’s TV as well as streaming platforms like Netflix and YouTube.
Some people in craft and technical roles have the flexibility to work in a mix of genres and sectors (including scripted comedy, drama or film). By contrast, those in editorial or production management tend to specialise in either unscripted or scripted TV and rarely cross over. To learn about the routes into unscripted TV roles, browse through the icons and click on them.
You might also want to download our unscripted TV career maps: Editorial and production (PDF), Craft and technical (PDF) and Studio (PDF).
If you are a teacher or careers adviser you may also like to browse our classroom resources.
Entry Level
Logger
Entry Level
Runner
- Archive producer
- Assistant producer
- Casting producer
- Celebrity producer
- Digital producer
- Director (Unscripted TV)
- Edit producer (Unscripted TV)
- Executive Producer (Unscripted TV)
- Games producer (Unscripted TV)
- Multi-camera director
- Producer (Unscripted TV)
- Producer director
- Question producer
- Researcher
- Runner
- Series director
- Series producer
- Vision mixer
- VT editor
Entry Level
Art department runner
Entry Level
Costume assistant
Entry Level
Hair and make-up assistant
- Art department assistant
- Art department runner
- Art director (Unscripted TV)
- Costume assistant
- Costume designer (Unscripted TV)
- Costume supervisor
- Hair and make-up artist
- Hair and make-up assistant
- Hair and make-up designer (Unscripted TV)
- Production buyer (Unscripted TV)
- Production designer (Unscripted TV)
Entry Level
Camera assistant
Entry Level
