Why should you pursue a career in TV production?
Do you often find yourself wishing you could work in an industry where you can amaze people with your creative prowess and excellent organization skills simultaneously? (Yes! It’s possible to work using both!)
Whether you are someone who has already set their heart in pursuing a career in TV production or one of those people who are still unsure which path to take in the TV industry, there is a whole world of opportunities waiting for you!
What makes pursuing a career in TV production stand out is the glamour experience of working with some of the finest directors and producers and encountering and working with some of the finest actors and actresses. You also get a chance to witness what it’s like to produce a TV series or a TV show from the ground up, which could inspire you to create your TV series or TV show someday.
However, if you’re dead serious about pursuing a career in this particular field in the TV industry, building your skill sets is highly necessary. You also have to be brave, quick on your feet, and you should be ready for everything.
Do any of these things appeal to you? Don’t worry. You have come to the right place. From entry-level positions up to the most senior levels, read below as we give you a rundown of everything you need to know about working in TV production!
1. Runner
From the word itself, runners are the hands and feet of the production team, basically acting as overall administrative support. Usually, these are people who just got out of the university, are currently taking internships to gain relevant work experience, and are looking for freelance jobs. They are responsible for the general office jobs like paperwork, answering phone calls, and other administrative duties as deemed necessary by the production team.
2. Researcher
Aside from good research skills, researchers are tasked to source information to ensure that the information they gather is accurate and find relevant data, contributors, experts, and other historical archives or locations. They are also responsible for creating or finding timelines and sourcing different story elements.
3. Production Assistant
Production assistants, also known as PAs, are responsible for production-related administrative tasks, from coordinating with all the people involved in the project, preparing the necessary paperwork to assist the cast and crew during shoots. They are also assigned to manage crowd control. They can potentially work their way up to becoming a producer someday.
MOVING FORWARD AND STEPPING UP
Congratulations! You seem to be right on track with your goal of becoming a superstar in TV production. Now, it’s time to step up and consider much more prominent roles, allowing you to see the bigger picture.
From the entry-level functions we talked to you about earlier, we’ll now take a look at the different roles at the senior level. Should you pursue a more prominent role in production management or keep those outside-of-the-box ideas coming in a creative direction?
Whichever path you will decide to choose, don’t worry. We got you covered!
PRODUCTION MANAGEMENT SPACE:
1. Production Coordinator
Production coordinators usually work closely with the Production Manager. Their tasks range from keeping track of the production timeline to ensuring that the TV show gets shown on time to properly allocating funds and managing its budget.
2. Production Manager
Production managers are overall responsible for the shooting locations, shooting schedules, and any production budget decisions. They also oversee the releases and permits and liaison between authorities and the crew during shooting. Lastly, they keep records of what transpired daily during the production.
3. Head of Production
The Head of Production oversees everything and creates strategies to support the overall production management. They also make sure to fulfill all the production team’s needs and supervise the production budget at all times.
CREATIVE MANAGEMENT SPACE
1. PRODUCER
Producers are tasked to bring shows to life and make them appealing to the intended show audiences. They are also in charge of managing contracts, talents, financial decisions, production budgets, and the overall production logistics.
2. Senior Producer
Senior producers oversee production cast and crew, delegate tasks, and hire talents. They are also assigned to sign-off programs and ensure that their output is of utmost quality and passes the client’s standards.
3. Directors
Directors are in charge of the creative aspect of the entire production, executing the vision of the film or TV show by choosing the right cast and crew, as well as the suitable shooting locations. Their duties also revolve around coordination and supervising the necessary technical equipment used during production.
What are you waiting for? Get involved in TV production today, and don’t hesitate to discover what role fits you.
Remember, the important thing here is to try and take the first step—you never know where it may take you!
