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- Manage the business side of creating film and TV shows - organising finance, staffing and other resources
- You'll need excellent negotiation skills, problem solving skills and resourcefulness
- Start with small productions and progress to major films or TV shows, or set up your own production company
As a producer you'll be responsible for overseeing the production process from start to finish, organising people, and making sure resources are available.
DAY-TO-DAY DUTIES
- Decide which projects to produce
- Create programme ideas yourself
- Read scripts
- Secure the rights for books or screenplays
- Negotiate with writers to produce new screenplays
- Identify sources of funding and raise finances
- Work out what resources are needed
- Check and approve locations
- Pitching to television broadcasters to commission your programme
- Plan filming schedules
- Hire staff, cast and crew
- Manage cash flow
- Make sure the production stays on schedule and within budget
- Work with marketing companies and distributors
DAY-TO-DAY ENVIRONMENT
You'll usually be paid a fee for each project. Rates can vary widely. The Broadcasting Entertainment Cinematograph and Theatre Union (BECTU) has information on current pay guidelines. Depending on your contract, you may also receive a percentage of the profits from a production.
Hours can be long and irregular. Freelance contract work is very common. The work is mainly office-based, but you'll visit studios or locations for meetings. Location work could be anywhere in the UK or overseas, so you'll travel and be away from home for long periods.
You'll need
There are no set requirements, but you'll usually need experience in both the creative and business sides of film or programme making, an in-depth understanding of the production process, and a network of contacts in the industry.
You'll also need creativity and vision, presentation and negotiation skills, leadership and management ability, planning and organisational skills, financial skills, and the ability to work to a budget.
In TV, you could start as a runner or production assistant and work your way up, or progress through production office roles. You may also be able to start in a production office role like an administrator and learn on the job.
In film, you'll usually start as a runner, then work your way up to production coordinator, line producer and production manager.
You could also progress through the roles of 3rd, 2nd and 1st assistant director.
Before starting out you could do a degree in film or media production before applying for work with a production company or a college course or apprenticeship like a broadcast production assistant advanced apprenticeship, but this is not essential. If you do take a course, it's good to choose one that includes practical skills, work placements and the chance to make industry contacts.
Creative Skillset has information on careers and courses in TV and film production.
CAREER PROSPECTS
With experience, you could become an executive producer, or set up your own production company.