Television/film/video producer job profile | Prospects.ac.uk (2023)

FAQs

What does a film television producer do? ›

A television producer is a person who oversees one or more aspects of video production on a television program. Some producers take more of an executive role, in that they conceive new programs and pitch them to the television networks, but upon acceptance they focus on business matters, such as budgets and contracts.

Video producers call the shots during video production, and guide video projects from conception to completion. Video producer jobs can include responsibilities ranging from casting talent and coordinating logistics to collaborating with other departments to ensure the video meets business objectives.

A television producer is different from a movie producer. Usually, the "executive producer" for TV is the "showrunner". They are the creative power of the series. TV producers are tasked with developing concepts, raising funds, hiring staff, budgeting, and delivering a high-quality show.

Generally, Producers make money by receiving producing fees set out in the production budget. In other words, Producers don't normally get paid unless their film or television show is actually produced and financed. It is possible to make profits from a successful show, but profitable shows are few and far between.

Some of these responsibilities include: Raising or securing funds to pay for the entire production of the movie. Creating a complete movie budget that supports production from start to finish. Organizing a production team to include actors, writers, editors, technical staff, directors and more.

Working on tight schedules, with loads of equipment and shifting parts is part of being a producer. Staying organized is a major key to a successful video production. A good video producer stays organized. They make schedules, send emails, and generally ensure everything is in order from top down.

While the line producer sets the limits on budgets and negotiates the key contracts, production managers carry out the decisions that have been made.

The average salary for a television producer is $66,548 in the US. The average television producer salary ranges between $38,000 and $115,000 in the US. Hourly rates for television producers in the US typically range between $18 and $55 an hour.

Do TV producers get paid? ›

While ZipRecruiter is seeing annual salaries as high as $86,500 and as low as $79,000, the majority of Television Producer salaries currently range between $81,500 (25th percentile) to $84,500 (75th percentile) with top earners (90th percentile) making $85,500 annually across the United States.

Producers do get paid more than actors when the film is successful, and from that, we mean Jurassic World kind of successful. But if the movie is kind of a flop, the actors usually make more. This is because the actors are usually brought to the film with a predesigned salary range.

A producer's job involves planning, coordination and management around a movie's script and writing, casting, directing, and editing as well as finances, marketing, release and distribution.

Although there are no specific educational or training requirements for an individual to become a TV producer, most producers have a bachelor's degree in majors like cinema, journalism and communication, according to the BLS.

While ZipRecruiter is seeing annual salaries as high as $39,000 and as low as $28,000, the majority of Tv Show Producer salaries currently range between $31,500 (25th percentile) to $37,000 (75th percentile) with top earners (90th percentile) making $38,500 annually across the United States.

Job Outlook

Employment of producers and directors is projected to grow 8 percent from 2021 to 2031, faster than the average for all occupations. About 17,500 openings...

There's no single way to become a producer. Some enter the industry by interning at a successful production company, some work on a smaller piece that later takes off, and some begin as actors, filmmakers, or writers.

As a producer, you need to master a broader skill set than many jobs require. You need excellent people skills, creative skills, and business know-how. Even if Netflix or NBC greenlights your show, you may have a much smaller budget than you want.

Film or Cinema Studies

If you're specifically looking to get a film and television producer education, your best option is to pursue a bachelor's degree program in a field like film studies or cinema studies. In a film studies bachelor's program, students learn about all aspects of filmmaking.

Producers generally hold degrees in film or acting. Journalism or communication degrees are related to producing as well as degrees in business. Producers may earn their degrees at a college or university, or they may choose to attend an independent art school.

Do film producers travel a lot? ›

They sometimes must work in unpleasant conditions, such as bad weather. Theater directors and producers may travel with a touring show across the country, while those in film and television may work on location (a site away from the studio and where all or part of the filming occurs).

Producer Profile is also an important tool for producers to compare themselves to their peer group. Producers can see how much others are compensated, what commission rates are paid, the amount of sales achieved, the time actually spent on sales, difficulties experienced, and opportunities for professional development.

You can climb the career ladder through continuous education. Consider earning a master's degree in Fine Arts. Through courses such as playwriting, set design, acting, directing, advanced script editing, documentary production, and commercial production, you will upgrade your knowledge and skills.

It depends on what your goals are. Becoming a producer on high-profile productions, such as Hollywood films, is very difficult. However, many people start by producing their own low-budget films, which is not as hard.

The 10 vital qualities for stepping into the shoes of a successful video producer include creativity, selectivity, patience, concentration, efficiency, communication, organization, attentiveness, cooperation, and flexibility.

The qualifications you need to become a video producer include a bachelor's degree in performance arts, film production, or business administration, along with experience in the film and entertainment industry.

Producer vs Director: What's The Difference? In short, a producer is mainly responsible for managing the behind the scenes aspects of production. A director, on the other hand, is more so responsible for the creative elements of the final product that will be put on screen.

Many organizations use these titles interchangeably, understanding their differences are imperative to improving your workflow and efficiencies. Put very simply, the typical project manager manages work effort and staff. The producer is more involved in the creation of the work.

The executive producer is at the top of the producer hierarchy. They work closely with other kinds of producers but their job descriptions differ. The executive producer may find a script or a book to option first and then hire the producer to execute the project.

Is producer a stressful job? ›

High. Stress is very commonplace for film producers, contributing negatively towards career satisfaction.

Workdays for producers and directors may be long and irregular. Many do not have a standard workweek, because their schedules may change with each assignment or project. Evening, weekend, and holiday work is common. Most producers and directors work full time, and some work more than 40 hours per week.

Television producers often have the same employee benefits as any “standard” worker. For the duration of the contract, which is usually one year, they often receive medical and life insurance, as well as reimbursement for travel expenses and paid vacation.

It is not necessary for a producer to have an agent of their own to make a film, but agents are needed to gain access to individuals that the producers need to make the film. For any producer attempting to get their project off the ground, the enthusiasm of an agent can be of great assistance.

Producers are involved in the financial decisions of movies, television shows and theatrical productions. Producers raise money for a production by finding film investment companies to finance the production, or by funding it themselves. The funding goes to hire the director, cast and crew.

Films and television shows, just like songs, are creative works that are protected by copyright. As such, the owners of film copyrights are entitled to royalties when their products are used. In film and television, the copyright owners are typically the producers.

While not every actor excels at so many aspects of filmmaking, many actors turn to producing in order to have more control over their careers, as well as the projects in which they're involved.

As a result, Executive Producers and Showrunners are usually making anywhere between $50,000 – $150,000 per episode depending on what network or streaming service they're working for.

So is Filmmaking a Good Career? The answer to the above question is yes – but it's not always easy. With hard work, skill and a little bit of luck, you can make a name for yourself in this creative and ever-changing industry.

What is the most important job in film making? ›

Film director

The most popular of all film industry jobs and crucial to the completion of any film, directors are responsible for overseeing all aspects of the creative process and bringing them together.

A Day in the Life of a Television Producer. Television producers make sure that television shows run smoothly in all details, and take responsibility for everything from coordinating writers and performers/correspondents right down to overseeing the fact-checking of credit names and titles.

Once an idea is grabbed, the producer will work to develop it from an idea into a concept for a film. A producer will work with a writer (or writers) to hammer out a treatment, and then a script for production, as well as oversee any rewrites.

A Television Producer, or TV Producer, oversees and controls technical and artistic aspects of television productions. Their main duties include developing a television show concept, raising or sourcing funding based on their budget for the project, and hiring a team to produce the show.

An Executive Producer (EP) is the head producer who supervises other producers in the creation of a film, television show, web series, commercial, or theater performance. They may work independently or on behalf of the studio, financiers or the distributors.

While ZipRecruiter is seeing annual salaries as high as $86,500 and as low as $79,000, the majority of Television Producer salaries currently range between $81,500 (25th percentile) to $84,500 (75th percentile) with top earners (90th percentile) making $85,500 annually across the United States.

A producer may already be working on a script with a writer and will reach out to an executive producer to finance the project. The producer answers to the executive producer about the film's budget. The executive producer does not get involved with the day-to-day of a production like a producer does.

Do you need a degree to be a TV producer? ›

Although there are no specific educational or training requirements for an individual to become a TV producer, most producers have a bachelor's degree in majors like cinema, journalism and communication, according to the BLS.

In short, a producer is mainly responsible for managing the behind the scenes aspects of production. A director, on the other hand, is more so responsible for the creative elements of the final product that will be put on screen.

In film and television “royalties” are referred to as residuals, and they are reserved for the creatives involved in the project. That being said, if an executive producer plays a direct role in the creative development of the script, they may have the right to earn residuals on their film or show.

One reason for the increase in executive producers per film is the desire to spread risk, whether due to increasing cost of film making for larger budget films, often met by multiple studios banding together, or alternatively the need to attract multiple smaller investors for lower budget independent films.

Producers who put in a small amount of work may earn around $100 per month from beat sales where others who focus their strategy on these platforms can earn $1000+, some even making a six figure salary each year on beat sales alone. And this is just one revenue stream.