What Does It Take to Be a TV or Film Producer?

You always see this in the credits: Executive Producer, Line Producer, Producer. You know they’re crucial to the creation of the film or TV show you’re enjoying, but at the same time, you’re not exactly sure what they do.

A lot of actors, musicians, and even filmmakers themselves, eventually land this job title at least once in their careers. What does it mean to be a TV or film producer, and is this something you could maybe consider as a career?

What is a Producer?

First, let’s get into the very core of this discussion. What is a producer? In Hollywood terms, this refers to the person responsible for identifying which projects are to be greenlit, its financing, who to hire for the cast and crew, assigning members of the creative team, and basically overlooking each and every aspect of pre-production, production, post-production, and distribution. 

In other words, it’s one heck of a job, and anybody who wants to become a producer must be ready to take on these responsibilities, and more. 

Among the many famous producers in Hollywood are big names such as Kevin Feige, Geoff Johns, Steven Spielberg, Michael Mann, and so many more. Each of them has an impressive body of work under their belts, but all of them started out having to work their way to get to the top. 

What do you need to become one of them? Here are a few tips:

Stock Up on Experience

Producing a film or TV show is not only about finding funds and handling the finances of the production to ensure it is seen through to completion. A lot of it has to do with fully understanding what goes on behind the scenes.

That is why actors or filmmakers naturally tend to become producers themselves. It’s easy for them to make the shift because they have been immersed in the same working environment as the producers, which gives them insight and understanding of how things should be done. 

If you truly want to become an effective producer, then you should know what it’s like to work on the ground. Being a part of the production crew, such as a production assistant, or even a screenwriter, can already help you familiarize yourself with the nuances of the role.

More than simply doing your job on the set, however, is you being keenly observant of the various aspects that are critical to doing this job. You must be able to have a good eye for anticipating problems, and you must be quick on your feet to adapt to problematic situations so that further delays and disasters can be avoided. 

Build Your Portfolio

Stocking up on experience is not just so you can have fond memories to look back on. Use this to build your portfolio. The more experienced you are, the more reliable you can be, precisely because you already know what to do.

Building a portfolio always takes time, so you have to be patient. At the same time, however, you have to be consistent and persistent if you really want to pursue this career. There will be plenty of setbacks, and at the end of the day, you have to figure out if the returns are worth it for you. 

The only way to build a portfolio is to get yourself out there, let them know that you’re in the business with these capabilities. Seek out and expand your network, be open to collaborations, and most important of all, do good in your job so you leave a good, lasting impression.