Media / Digital Media
Producer - Film, TV, Radio or Stage
Producers manage the business side of productions including motion pictures, TV and radio shows, live theatre, and commercials.
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Entry-level education
Bachelor’s degree
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Job outlook
What does a Producer - Film, TV, Radio or Stage do?
Producers manage the business side of productions including motion pictures, TV and radio shows, live theatre, and commercials. They oversee each project from conception to completion, including funding, financial management, hiring of crew and coordination of sets, location and equipment.
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Work activities
As a producer, you would:
- decide which projects to produce, or create ideas yourself
- secure the rights for novels or screenplays, or commission writers to produce new work
- raise finances to fund projects
- check and approve shooting locations
- pitch your proposed program to TV or radio producers
- oversee the production process, including performance schedules, lighting and sound
- plan filming schedules
- hire staff and contract support services
- work closely with creative directors on the overall look and feel of the production
- manage the production budget and allocate resources
- ensure compliance with relevant regulations, codes of practice and health and safety laws
- work with marketing companies and distributors to get the production shown.
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Key skills and interests
To become a producer, you would need:
- confidence and presentation skills
- self-motivation and determination
- time management and project management skills
- financial acumen and budgeting skills
- attention to detail
- solid experience in film, TV, radio or live theatre
- people management and leadership skills
- creativity and vision.
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Working hours and conditions
Working Hours
As a producer, you would work irregular hours, depending on the production you were working on. Many producers work as freelance contractors hired for the duration of a production. You may have periods of time in between productions where you are working on developing ideas and raising funds for new projects.
Conditions
You would work in an office, which may be a home office. You would spend a lot of time in, or travelling to, meetings and shooting locations. You may need to travel and be away from home for long periods of time.
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How to become an Producer - Film, TV, Radio or Stage?
Entry Level Education
You can work as a producer without formal qualifications. Most producers begin the production phase of their careers after many years working their way up from junior level roles in film, TV, radio or live theatre.
However, most producers are educated to degree level. You could undertake a Bachelor's degree in an area such as visual or creative arts, film production, arts management or arts with a major in film studies. To get into these courses, you usually need to gain your senior secondary school certificate or equivalent.
Additional courses in production may increase your chances of success in a very competitive environment. You will also need substantial experience in both the creative and business sides of film or program making, an in-depth understanding of the production process, and a good network of contacts in the industry.
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Job outlook
Employment of producers is projected to grow slower than the average for all occupations.
Some job growth in the motion picture and video industry is expected to stem from strong demand from the public for more movies and television shows. In addition, production companies are experimenting with new content delivery methods, such as mobile and online TV, which may lead to more work opportunities for producers in the future.
Producers who work in small- and medium-sized theatres may see slower job growth because many of those theatres have difficulty finding funding.
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