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Q: What is your job description?
A: The job description for a producer is very different for feature films, television, and documentaries. In feature films, the producer is responsible for the financial, legal and business aspects of film making. Although the producer is likely the one to hire the director and screenwriter, in movie making the director tends to be the creative force once the filming begins.
In television, the producer is in charge of both the creative direction as well as the business aspects. In television, the producer’s role varies depending on the format of the television production. Producers of sitcoms and dramatic series are frequently the writers/creators. Producers for news programming tend to have journalism backgrounds. Talk shows and game shows also have their own unique hierarchy.
In documentaries, the producer and the director are frequently the same person, due to lower budgets and smaller crews, everyone involved tends to have creative input, but it is the producer’s responsibility to oversee the financial, legal, and distribution.
In my 30 years being involved in film and televison, I have worked on comedy and talk show and documentary series, as well as music performance and dramatic specials for cable, network and public television. I traditionally budget the project, hire the staff, and oversee the production from inception through distribution and promotion. I think of producing as being someone who oversees all aspects of creating, making and packaging a project.
As a producer I’ve worked with actors, agents, animators, celebrities, cinematographers, composers, directors, distributors, editors, lawyers, lighting directors, musicians, non-profits, set designers, network executives, singers, and writers. I’ve shot projects on location, in a sound studio, in Europe, and Africa.
I’ve produced projects for PBS, NBC, CBS, Showtime, HBO as well as international TV networks. I’ve done fundraising, marketing, promotion, budgeting, script development and graphic design.
Q: How did you choose to be a producer as your career?
A: I had an “ah ha” moment after I saw an Academy Award winning documentary on the Vietnam War called “Hearts and Minds” during my senior year in college. I had been wondering what I was going to do after graduation with a Philosophy/Political Science major, a Fine Arts minor and a passion for performance. The film’s social, emotional, and intellectual impact sparked the idea of becoming a documentary filmmaker.
Two years later I was working at NBC in New York City. I knew for sure that becoming a producer was a good fit for me when I apprenticed with Lorne Michaels, the creator and producer of Saturday Night Live. Basically, I learned on the job, as do most people that I know. Producers are not unionized, unlike directors, actors, writers, and many crew positions in the field, so there is not the same degree of organized support, although there is now a Producer’s Guild.
If you go to a film school, or study media and communications, you can learn some of what I learned on the job — particularly some of the systems pertaining to accounting, budget, legal, finance, and distribution deals as well as the rules for developing and pitching projects. But there is nothing like on the job learning in this business especially working with a mentor in the field.
Q: What does it take to be successful in this field?
A: Networking is the key to success in the TV/Film industry. Strong communication and people skills. Tenacity and perseverance pay off especially when combined with passion and vision. Flexibility, creativity, hard work. An attention to detail while keeping the big picture in mind.
You have to have thick skin and not take rejection personally – because it’s a tough business. They don’t call it “show business” for nothing. As a producer, you have to like the “business” as much as the “show.”
Q: What is your dream job?
A: To generate enough financing for my production company to support the development and production of full length documentaries about social issues or compelling stories that need to be told.
Q: What real world experience did you get during school?
A: Very little, actually. But, college honed my critical thinking skills sufficiently for me to feel comfortable intellectually – and hold my own – in situations that are new to me. My liberal arts education gave me the skills I’ve needed to learn on the fly on each new project. This is key for me, because I am drawn to what I don’t because it is more challenging.
Q: What advice can you offer to students?
A: The business of production has changed a lot since I started out. In many ways, it is more democratic and less hierarchical than when I entered the business. Digital technology has changed the media world dramatically in that both shooting and editing capabilities are accessible to non-professionals.
The newest revolution is in the expanding web and social networking opportunities for media distribution that both individuals and experienced professionals are exploring in terms of how to generate profit. Stay on top of all of the technology changes. On the creative end — figure out what story you want to tell or what issues you are passionate about.
Honing in on what interests you, i.e. news journalism, feature films, television, etc, is key. Test your interest and aptitude by getting an internship in different areas. Aim high, and try to get an internship on the best show, or most successful example of the genre that most interests you.
Join film and television organizations that can provide both skills training as well as networking opportunities. Overall, question authority, question the status quo, pay attention to the world around you and don’t get caught up in the small bubble of where you grow up. It’s a big world that is changing rapidly so keep an open and curious mind.
Q: Is it hard to get into producing music?
A: Getting into music production is not hard in and of itself. However if you’re hoping to produce music for a top 40 band, that is a little more challenging. Just liking being in a band on a major label, it takes a lot of talent and a good dose of luck.
Look into a degree in audio engineering. Most producers start out as recording engineers (who work closely with producers and the musicians). They help form the sound you hear on a record. Think of the producer as the manager of the recording process.
Q: What type of major/ courses should someone take if they want to become a television producer?
A: Some colleges offer a specific television/video production major. You could also consider a major in broadcast journalism, media studies, or communications. Having a background in one of these fields will help alleviate some of your on the job training.
At the same time, you’ll find that producers come from a wide spectrum of educational backgrounds. You need a strong business acumen and the ability to think analytically and creatively. Be sure to pick a major that allows you to develop these skills.
Q: How many years in college do you need to become a producer?
A: You’ll probably be fine with doing a bachelor’s degree, which typically takes four years.
