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TV, Film, Video Producer

Producers are the main players in the television, film and video industries. The initial idea for a project often comes from a producer, who will oversee each project from conception to completion, and may also be involved in the marketing and distribution processes.

Producers work closely with directors and the other production staff on the shoot. Increasingly, they need to have directing skills themselves. They attract the money to fund each project and are responsible for keeping production within the allocated budget.

Creative input varies, but producers have the ultimate say on the final product.
A producer is responsible for facilitating the project from beginning to end. They are involved in every stage of the television programme, film or video, overseeing the project from start to finish, both in a studio and on location.

Essentially team leaders, they are supported by production assistants, co-ordinators and managers, depending on the size of the project.

Typical work activities include:

raising funding;
reading, researching and assessing ideas and finished scripts;
commissioning writers;
securing the rights to novels, plays or screenplays;
building and developing a network of contacts;
liaising and discussing projects with financial backers - projects can vary from a small, corporate video costing £20,000 to a Hollywood feature film of more than £50 million;
using computer software packages for screenwriting, budgeting and scheduling;
hiring key staff, including a director and a crew to shoot films or videos;
controlling the budget and allocating resources;
pulling together all the strands of creative and practical talent involved in the project to create a team;
organising shooting schedules;
troubleshooting;
supervising the progress of the project from production to post production;
holding regular meetings with the director to discuss characters and scenes;
acting as a sounding board for the director;
bringing the finished production in on budget.

In theory, the producer deals with all the practical and political aspects of keeping a project running smoothly, so that the director and the rest of the team can concentrate on the creative angles.

Range of typical starting salaries: £18,000 - £20,000 (salary data collected Dec 04).

Range of salaries with experience: £30,000 - £65,000 (salary data collected Dec 04). Experienced staff can earn more by freelancing.

Salaries can range enormously depending on the size of the company and the size and scale of the project.
There are fewer salaried, permanent jobs with companies available, which can lead to some financial insecurity.
Work involves regular, unsocial hours at weekends and in the evenings. Long hours and time spent in meetings or on location are the norm.
The working environment can be varied - office, studio and on location.
Self-employment and freelance work is a feature with work frequently offered on a contract basis.
Career breaks may create difficulties.
The balance of male to female producers is becoming more equal.
A great many of the jobs are in London, with many post-production and facilities houses based in Soho. Outside the capital, most production companies are in large cities such as Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh and Glasgow. You could work on location anywhere in the country.
The work is stressful and requires a great deal of flexibility and mobility. The freelance nature of the work may cause some employment insecurity. Carrying the burden of financial responsibility for a production can be hard. In saying this, producers need to be highly motivated by success and pressure as this is a job with the potential for an enormous amount of stress.
Travel during the working day is frequent. Absence from home at night is also common.
Overseas work or travel can occur, but is occasional

Information taken from Prospects www.prospects.ac.uk for more information

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