A production associate is a person who works for a broadcasting company or a media company and is responsible for filming or producing television shows, movies, music videos, broadcasts, and other types of recordings. A production associate must typically have completed high school, and the majority of associates have completed a college degree. Many major production companies prefer to hire associates with advanced degrees and previous broadcasting or production experience.
Production associate undergraduate degree programs are available at some universities. Many colleges offer degree programs in media studies, broadcasting, and related subjects, and anyone interested in working as a production associate should take one of these classes. Some small production companies also accept applications from people who have completed associates degrees or short-term vocational classes at community colleges but do not have a bachelor’s degree. In some areas, universities offer graduate programs that prepare students for careers as television or film production associates.
Anyone interested in becoming a production associate must have some industry experience in addition to academic credentials. Undergraduates can participate in internships at major production companies, where they will assist experienced associates in setting up sound recording equipment, cameras, and lighting. Administrative tasks such as distributing scripts, filing contracts, and answering phones are frequently assigned to interns. Interns who perform well during these programs may be offered full-time jobs by production companies, though these offers are usually conditional on the interns completing their college degree courses.
Many production associates gain experience as interns, but others gain on-the-job experience by accepting entry-level positions at local television or radio stations. These individuals are frequently hired as general assistants, with duties that include production work as well as cleaning and preparing refreshments. General assistants often earn less than other members of the production team, but the experience they gain helps them land production associate jobs in the long run.
Production companies expect production associates to have both academic credentials and professional experience, but they also expect job applicants to have prior experience with specific types of equipment or software. Some people gain this experience by buying video equipment and editing software for fun. Others gain experience with such equipment by volunteering to assist in the production of plays and other performances put on by schools or non-profit organizations.