Factual TV Reconstruction Director (AI)
London / Hybrid
Contract or permanent, dependent on experience
Our client is looking for an experienced factual TV reconstruction director to lead the creation of high-end drama recon using AI as the production tool.
This is not a technical AI role and not a traditional TV directing job. It’s a visual and editorial role for someone who understands how factual drama reconstruction works, how shots cut together, and what quality looks like on screen.
AI replaces the camera and studio. Visual judgement remains the craft.
The role
You’ll sit above an established AI workflow and technical team, shaping how reconstruction sequences are conceived, generated and delivered. Instead of shooting recon with a physical crew, you’ll be directing sequences using AI generated visuals, ensuring they meet the same editorial and aesthetic standards as premium factual television.
You’ll be responsible for designing recon sequences that cut seamlessly with archive, interviews and narration, while maintaining a consistently high visual bar across multiple programmes and producers.
What you’ll be doing
* Conceptualising and directing factual drama reconstruction sequences using AI generated visuals
* Translating visual ideas into clear, detailed written prompts that specify framing, lenses, depth of field, lighting, mood and movement
* Generating and managing large volumes of AI frames and shots, iterating quickly to refine quality
* Selecting and shaping visuals that cut cleanly into an edit, with strong editorial logic
* Working closely with producers, editors and AI technical specialists to deliver to brief and schedule
* Maintaining consistency of look and quality across multiple episodes or series
What they're looking for
* A strong visual director with experience in factual TV reconstruction, documentary recon, or similar scripted factual formats
* Excellent visual judgement, with a deep understanding of composition, framing, lenses and depth of field
* An editor’s instinct for coverage, pacing and how shots work together in sequence
* Comfortable working digitally and iteratively rather than on physical sets or locations
* Writing skills strong enough to clearly describe visual intent and shot detail
* Organised and calm under volume, able to manage large amounts of material and the needs of multiple producers
AI experience is useful but not essential. Tools and workflows can be trained. Visual taste and editorial judgement cannot.
Who this will suit
This role is likely to suit someone from a factual TV background who enjoys the creative challenge of visual storytelling but is open to new production methods. It may appeal to reconstruction directors, shooting producers or editors with strong visual instincts who are less interested in traditional location-based shoots.
It is unlikely to suit pure technologists, prompt engineers without editorial experience, or directors who want to be on set with a full crew.
Why this role
You’ll be working on premium factual content at scale, using AI in a way that enhances storytelling rather than replacing it. Quality of look and editorial credibility matter here, and you’ll play a key role in defining how this work is done going forward.
If this sounds like you, or close to you, we’d love to hear from you.
SUMO are an equal opportunities employer. We encourage applications regardless of race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, age, disability or gender. As an employment agency, SUMO are fully committed to providing an inclusive and accessible recruitment process for all (both internally and on behalf of our clients).
Thank you for your interest in the above vacancy. Please note - due to the high volume of CVs & applications we receive, we can't always get back to everyone, although we do try our best!