5 Steps to Become a TV Producer
TV producers supervise productions from the creative aspects of a TV show to the administration and financial details. TV producers are involved in all aspects to ensure a TV show’s success. Depending on the TV show and budget, there may be more than one producer. There could be a line producer who focuses on keeping the production and crew on schedule as well as finding the right locations to shoot scenes. The executive producer oversees the storyline, helps audition actors, and works on the budget.
If you’re a producer, your job can be stressful, demanding, and packed with deadlines! To be a successful TV producer, you’ll need to work well with a variety of people. Producers need to be good at networking and connecting with others authentically. As a producer, you’ll be in charge of lots of decisions. You’ll also need to communicate effectively with a variety of people on set, so being able to manage other people and be a leader is essential.
5 Steps to Become a TV Producer:
1. Earn a Bachelor’s Degree
While technically a Bachelor’s degree isn’t required, it will help provide you with a solid foundation of knowledge and skills helpful to being a TV producer. Many producers pursue a degree in Film, TV, and Digital Production. As a producer, you need a good understanding of everyone’s role on the set. Therefore, taking courses that cover topics like camera operator, cinematography, screenwriting, lighting, sound, and editing will help. The more you understand how each person on set does their job and how these roles interconnect, the more effective you’ll be as a manager and leader. Additionally, classes covering how to budget and finance a TV show and audition actors will help.
2. Get Experience
Many TV producers start as a production assistant. The tasks of a production assistant can be basic, like getting people coffee or carrying items. But by showing you’re reliable and hardworking, your responsibilities and reputation as a problem solver on set will increase. Keep your eyes and ears open. As a production assistant, you’ll be getting first-hand experience on the working of a TV studio and a chance to learn from others.
3. Build a Portfolio
Find opportunities to produce quality work to build your portfolio. You may need to look for a lower budget or small market productions. But, the experience will help you learn valuable on set skills, make connections, and build your portfolio.
4. Keep Networking
Successful producers know how to network effectively. By building connections in the industry, you can increase your chance for production work you want. To begin establishing yourself, attend industry events and workshops and read scripts. Being a producer assistant at a TV production company can also help put you in line for future production opportunities, especially if that studio tends to promote from within.
5. Be Professional
Building a career takes time. To advance to a high-level position, most people have to start at the bottom and work their way up the career ladder. So make the most of your time at each step along the way to your dream job. Always conduct yourself professionally. Be dependable and reliable. If you’re assigned less glamorous tasks, do them efficiently and well. Your work ethic will get noticed. Pay attention to everything happening around you. Study how the producer handles problems and deals with people. You can learn a lot on the set from watching others that can help you advance your career in time.