A field producer is a member of a film or television production crew who is in charge of managing material production on location. Stories shot outside the studio are coordinated by field producers. Documentary filmmaking, news reporting, and reality television are all common places for them to work. These crew members have received extensive training and are prepared to handle a wide range of situations. Some have completed film and television production programs at colleges and universities, while others have learned on the job by working in a variety of roles on film crews to gain experience in all aspects of production.
Acting as a coordinator and liaison between people in the studio, the field crew, and the subjects or actors is an important part of a field producer’s job. Everything from securing filming locations to assuaging nervous interview subjects falls under the umbrella of coordination. The field producer may write and film the story, or collaborate with another producer to bring that producer’s written story to life on film, depending on the nature of the production.
These experts determine equipment requirements, hire and manage field personnel, and oversee the packing of production vehicles to ensure that everything required is delivered to the field. They collaborate with people such as location scouts to find suitable filming locations. This member of the production team may be in charge of lining up people for filming, obtaining permits, and arranging for the film crew’s food and lodging. Other unique requirements must be met by the field producer.
Field producers can conduct interviews as well as coach subjects to make them feel at ease in front of the camera. The field producer may offer suggestions for making the subject appear more alive on film. Subjects can also be coached to avoid rambling, sounding monotonous, and other issues that can derail an interview. Animal subjects require a similar level of organization. To avoid upsetting the animals, the field producer must locate animals and handlers, organize health and safety precautions, and meet needs such as using special lighting or camera techniques.
In this position, the ability to think quickly is critical. When it comes to filming, things can quickly go wrong. A resourceful field producer can anticipate some issues and act quickly to resolve others, saving time. In field production, time is money, and a producer who can consistently keep productions on budget or under budget is more likely to be hired again.