Producers

Career Description: Plan and coordinate various aspects of radio, television, stage, or motion picture production, such as selecting script, coordinating writing, directing and editing, and arranging financing.

Industry: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media

Other Job Titles for Producers:

• Realistic: Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
• Investigative: Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
• Artistic: Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.
• Social: Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.
• Enterprising: Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.
• Conventional: Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
• First Interest High-Point: Primary-Rank Descriptiveness
• Second Interest High-Point: Secondary-Cutoff/Rank Descriptiveness
• Third Interest High-Point: Tertiary-Cutoff/Rank Descriptiveness

• Coordinate the activities of writers, directors, managers, and other personnel throughout the production process.
• Monitor postproduction processes to ensure accurate completion of details.
• Perform management activities such as budgeting, scheduling, planning, and marketing.
• Determine production size, content, and budget, establishing details such as production schedules and management policies.
• Compose and edit scripts or provide screenwriters with story outlines from which scripts can be written.
• Conduct meetings with staff to discuss production progress and to ensure production objectives are attained.
• Resolve personnel problems that arise during the production process by acting as liaisons between dissenting parties when necessary.
• Produce shows for special occasions, such as holidays or testimonials.
• Edit and write news stories from information collected by reporters.
• Write and submit proposals to bid on contracts for projects.
• Hire directors, principal cast members, and key production staff members.
• Arrange financing for productions.
• Select plays, scripts, books, or ideas to be produced.
• Review film, recordings, or rehearsals to ensure conformance to production and broadcast standards.
• Perform administrative duties, such as preparing operational reports, distributing rehearsal call sheets and script copies, and arranging for rehearsal quarters.
• Obtain and distribute costumes, props, music, and studio equipment needed to complete productions.
• Negotiate contracts with artistic personnel, often in accordance with collective bargaining agreements.
• Maintain knowledge of minimum wages and working conditions established by unions or associations of actors and technicians.
• Plan and coordinate the production of musical recordings, selecting music and directing performers.
• Negotiate with parties, including independent producers and the distributors and broadcasters who will be handling completed productions.
• Develop marketing plans for finished products, collaborating with sales associates to supervise product distribution.
• Determine and direct the content of radio programming.
• Repay investors from project revenue.
• Obtain rights to scripts or to such items as existing video footage.
• License the use of photographs through stock photo agencies.
• Mount, frame, laminate, or lacquer finished photographs.
• Photograph legal evidence at crime scenes, in hospitals, or in forensic laboratories.

Emerging Tasks

• Research production topics using the internet, video archives, and other informational sources.
• Write and edit news stories from information collected by reporters and other sources.
• Practice musical instrument performances and listen to recordings, individually or in rehearsal with other musicians, to master individual pieces of music and to maintain and improve skills.
• Store, pack, and maintain inventory records of props, products, and display items.
• Supervise and train staff members on daily tasks such as visual merchandising.
• Teach artistic techniques to children and adults.
• Monitor the academic eligibility of student athletes.
• Oversee the development and management of the sports program budget and fundraising activities.
• Perform activities that support a team or a specific sport, such as participating in community outreach activities, meeting with media representatives, and appearing at fundraising events.
• Provide training direction, encouragement, motivation, and nutritional advice to prepare athletes for games, competitive events, and/or tours.
• Teach instructional courses and advise students.

• Analyzing Data or Information: Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
• Assisting and Caring for Others: Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
• Coaching and Developing Others: Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
• Communicating with Persons Outside Organization: Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates: Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Controlling Machines and Processes: Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
• Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others: Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
• Developing and Building Teams: Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
• Developing Objectives and Strategies: Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
• Documenting/Recording Information: Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
• Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment: Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships: Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
• Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information: Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
• Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards: Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
• Getting Information: Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates: Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.
• Handling and Moving Objects: Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events: Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material: Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
• Interacting With Computers: Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others: Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
• Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People: Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems: Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings: Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
• Monitoring and Controlling Resources: Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.
• Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment: Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
• Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work: Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
• Performing Administrative Activities: Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.
• Performing for or Working Directly with the Public: Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
• Performing General Physical Activities: Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
• Processing Information: Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
• Provide Consultation and Advice to Others: Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.
• Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment: Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines, devices, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of electrical or electronic (not mechanical) principles.
• Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment: Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.
• Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others: Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
• Scheduling Work and Activities: Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
• Selling or Influencing Others: Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.
• Staffing Organizational Units: Recruiting, interviewing, selecting, hiring, and promoting employees in an organization.
• Thinking Creatively: Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
• Training and Teaching Others: Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge: Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

Detailed Work Activities

• arbitrate personnel disputes
• communicate visually or verbally
• compose scripts
• conduct meetings with staff to ensure production objectives are met
• conduct or attend staff meetings
• convey moods or emotions through music
• develop policies, procedures, methods, or standards
• direct and coordinate activities of workers or staff
• edit video film scenes
• edit written material
• establish pace of program or sequence of scenes
• establish production schedule
• evaluate advertising promotions
• hire director or production staff
• hire, discharge, transfer, or promote workers
• make decisions
• negotiate business contracts
• operate film or sound editing equipment
• order or purchase supplies, materials, or equipment
• oversee execution of organizational or program policies
• plan or organize work
• prepare periodic reports comparing budgeted costs to actual costs
• prepare promotional plans
• prepare reports
• resolve personnel problems or grievances
• review assembled film or video tape on monitor
• review film, recordings, or rehearsals
• schedule employee work hours
• tell stories through musical, visual, or dramatic arts
• use film production techniques
• use negotiation techniques
• write story copy
• use film production techniques
• use graphic arts techniques
• use knowledge of multi-media technology
• use object-oriented computer programming techniques
• use oral or written communication techniques
• use project management techniques
• use word processing or desktop publishing software
• write story copy
• weld together metal parts, components, or structures
• use computer graphics design software
• use creativity in graphics
• use graphic arts techniques
• use knowledge of multi-media technology
• use library or online Internet research techniques
• use oral or written communication techniques
• use public speaking techniques
• use stage lighting controls or instruments

Overall Experience
A minimum of two to four years of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.

Job Training
Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.

Education
Most of these occupations require a four - year bachelor's degree, but some do not.

Examples
Many of these occupations involve coordinating, supervising, managing, or training others. Examples include accountants, human resource managers, computer programmers, teachers, chemists, and police detectives.

• n/a

• Projected growth (2006-2016): 11.05%
• Projected need (2006-2016): 10,286
• Employment (2006): 93,074

• Directors- Stage, Motion Pictures, Television, and Radio
• Park Naturalists
• Program Directors
• Talent Directors
• Technical Directors/Managers
• Music Composers and Arrangers
• Radio and Television Announcers
• Reporters and Correspondents
• Singers
• Technical Writers