currently 3 months into a degree in film andtelevision production at the University of Westminster - however, further questioning of lecturers means a large problem is arising this is a creative course not a logistical. What should i be doingto become a producer? Event management, covers marketing, business and all key areas for what i perceive to be issues for a producer, or business studies straight or stick out this course for three years and still be no further forwaerd although have a good degree name in the industry?
Lizzie xxx
I'd go with the latter. But I'm no business man.
That was not a great reply, I know, but actually I'd be interested to hear what other people say too.
Producing is probably one of the hardest film industry roles to get into because it has such broad responsibilities and there are so many different variations of what a producer does.
The types of skills you need are:
* project management
* interpersonal (ie. problem solving, networking)
* legal (copyright, labour laws, etc)
* film financing (how it all works)
* film marketing (how films get sold)
* business management
And of course you need to have a good working knowledge of what each other discipline within the filmmaking process does. In the independent sense (and certainly here in Britain), producers must be entrepreneurs. You're the first person on a project and the last person off. You're also the last person to get paid.
In terms of your course, if it gives you exposure to practical production in a variety of different roles, then it will certainly be very valuable and worthwhile (if it's all film theory, I'd ditch it). If you do graduate this course, you might want to check out the MA in Film Production at Royal Holloway, which is specifically-geared towards producers.
Ben C.
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Please note the opinions expressed here are those of the author only and do not constitute legal advice. The author cannot accept and liability whatsoever for inaccurate or outdated information contained within.
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Benjamin Craig
Editor-in-Chief, filmmaking.net
