Overview of the role
An online assistant is the central hub that a programme passes through at various stages of the very final post production processes up to master delivery.
Once an offline edit has been signed off for content and is declared as ‘locked’, it is ready to move through the final phases of post production and to master delivery. For this the picture and the sound are separated to be worked on by specialists in those fields.
The online assistant takes the locked cut to generate and transfer the files necessary for each of those areas to access the master high quality sources to enable them to produce the best quality finished picture and sound. They will be there to support the online and update them with any additional files or changes that arrive during the later stages.
After both parts have been signed off by the clients with the respective departments, the online assistant will marry the final finished picture and mixed sound together to export a master file which complies with the broadcaster or streamer’s delivery requirements. They will then put this file through all the quality control (QC) checks and once passed as meeting all conditions, they will then upload the file to the broadcaster or streamer.
Core responsibilities
These core responsibilities are provided as a guide and are not exhaustive. The exact responsibilities in a particular job will vary depending on the scale / budget band / genre of the production.
- The offline will have been working with low resolution files or proxies to make their cuts and decisions. These must be linked back to the original master files from various sources including camera, archive and graphics. This process is known as the conform.
- A reference file from the offline is exported to serve as a guide for both the picture and sound departments.
- The audio department will also need an embedded AAF exported which contains all the audio tracks and cuts from the offline with the associated audio data embedded in one file. The audio ingested for offline will be of a quality suitable for mastering. Depending on the size of a facility this task may be performed by an audio assistant.
- The sequence is then relinked to the source master files. Once done they can either be worked on from this or depending on the workflow they are often transcoded with handles. That way the online workspace has only the footage they need, but with some extra frames for adjustments.
- A visual sync check comparing the online to the offline guide is carried out so that any incorrect or missing shots are identified and corrected before the sequence is supplied to online.
- If screeners or low quality versions of archive have not been replaced before online details of these should be passed to production and the online editor.
- The sequence should be provided to online in such a way that any erroneous clips and remnants from an untidy offline are removed. This is often referred to as ‘flattening’ a sequence. It’s not removing and flattening all the layers, just those which will not be seen or used in the master. If layers of text or graphics are spread all over it can also be a time for these to be better organised to help make things clearer for the online. If in doubt as the online editor.
- Exporting any working in progress sequences for external review
- Ensuring any late arriving or updated master graphics, still images and archive are ingested and and backed up to correct folders. The online editor should be informed of all changes and post producers informed of any delays.
- Passing on updated sequences to grade and audio with changes to duration and shots that have been necessarily made in the online.
- Assisting with any enquiries about quality issues with footage and sources.
- Technical support covering everything from software/hardware faults to answering questions about workflow processes.
- Once the master online sequence and the final audio stems have been handed over then these need marrying together and checking for sync.
- The master file is then exported to the correct technical file requirements of the broadcaster/streamer (included any embedded metadata) so it can be sent for QC review and delivery.
- Creation of textless elements as part of delivery are sometimes assigned as tasks for the assistant to perform after the main content has passed QC.
- The quality control checks (QC) undergo several processes which must all pass before the file can be delivered.
- Review of file as an eyeball QC checking it all conforms to a broadcaster’s specific requirements such as line up, safe areas and credit specifications. But also to highlight faults such as video compression, dead pixels, audio pops/clicks and anything which might be jarring to a viewer.
- Using software such as Vidchecker to provide the automated quality check (AQC) that interrogates the file to ensure it is the correct format/codec.
- Vidchecker (most commonly) is also used to analyse a file for PSE (Photosensitive Epilepsy - flashing, reds, harmful patterns).
- Export for final master with all QC repairs included to the client for them to assess file integrity and sign off final content for delivery.
- Upload of master delivery file along with any required additional assets.
Skills
Check out role specific skills, transferable skills, and attributes for the role of online assistant editor.
- Attention to detail: both in preparing a sequence to be sent to online and dub, through QC and to final delivery.
- Highly organised: there are many files for creation and transfer at different stages, across multiple platforms. Ensuring labelling and location of all files is clear, tracking changes coming from online and dub, especially any late changes which need to be applied to the master file.
- Clear communication: keeping informed online, grade, dub and any post production departments of any changes which are passing though that could affect any one or all of them. Accurate and detailed communication of any issues raised in QC and offering suggested solutions.
- Technical specifications: understanding of broadcasters and streamers have different requirements. Your ability to read and interpret the documentation for different broadcasters is essential.
- Wide breadth of knowledge: overall understanding of the contributing parts of the final post production process. Wide and varied technical knowledge covering a multitude of file formats, codec, camera sources and the many software programmes used to process the sequence from offline through online, grade, dub and finally to delivery.
- Clear and accurate communication: to everyone across the final post process, including the ability to explain the technical to the non technical departments in the production.
- Problem solving: when presented with a complication the ability to present solutions and options affecting everything from missing files to technical issues with kit.
- Resilience under pressure: deadlines are moved and unforeseen delays can occur any of the stages in the process before it reaches the point of final delivery
- Active interest in the industry as a whole, suggesting any technical changes and advances which could be used to improve workflow.
- Interest in furthering knowledge and understanding of the online and grade process to provide better support in the future and potentially.
- Organised. Logical structure of files is essential, accurate details of updates and changes tracked and sent to relevant departments.
Discover more checklists
Take a look at additional editor skills checklists