The term “producer” is one of those hazy job titles that leaves many people wondering what exactly a producer does. Producers are typically involved in many more aspects of a show’s production. A producer makes the final financial and business decisions that determine whether or not a show will air or remain in production. A producer, like actors and directors, usually has the necessary education to work in the field of television production, but this is not always the case. A person who wants to work as a television producer can usually get a job if they have the right talent and experience.
There are many paths one can take to become a television producer, but there are a few common denominators that are beneficial. To become a television producer, creativity is required, as is experience in a related field such as directing. A good business sense is also required of a television producer.
Although no formal education is required, many producers begin their careers in a related field. A job under a director or related work for a performing arts organization can sometimes be the start of a career in the performing arts. Some educational degrees, such as an arts management degree, can help you on your way to becoming a television producer. Actors and directors who have made a name for themselves in their respective fields can sometimes move on to become television producers.
A television producer’s day is spent overseeing a large number of people involved in a production. He or she has the authority to approve or reject the ideas and scripts of writers, as well as to hire other people involved in the television show, such as directors and actors. Nothing can be done unless the necessary funds are available, which means the producer must also ensure that secure funding is in place.
Some schools provide courses in the various aspects of production that a student needs to know in order to work as a television producer. These classes will teach you how to think creatively and how to coordinate production. Other courses, such as the BBC Academy’s “Personal Effectiveness for Production” course, are designed to increase students’ confidence in their ability to do the job while also improving their people skills. Similar courses are available in the United States through the Academy of Radio, Television, and Broadcasting.