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I graduated 6 years ago and now work as a TV Producer - Ask me anything

Hi all,

I graduated 6 years ago from Brunel University having studied Film and Television Studies and now I'm a Post-Production Producer and have worked on TV, Film and adverts.

Before I started my course at Uni I wished I had someone from the media industry to ask questions, so I'm offering my knowledge and experience out to anyone who is interested.

Ask me anything!

DV86

(edited 9 years ago)

Reply 1

DekaBreak

Hello

this is very kind of you and the reason I joined.
i'm currently a College student, creative media level 3. Uni being a possibilty year after next, I am assesing my options...

1. Is Meida REALLY worth studying for 2/3 years. It is by all acounts super competitve and job roles hard to come by, i'm wondering if it's worth another three or more years of my life with no means to an end

2. how hard was it to get you're current job and how did you start out in the industry?

3. do you have an tips for "making contacts" on the courses? I failed to make any contacts during this year at college.. infact was the clique of "making contacts" crucial to you're current job or not so much?

4. Are Media quallifications respected in other areas. I don't want to fail and be stuck with useless qualifactions. Looking at it realisticly ofc

5. How consistant is the work and pay in the Media industry?

6. I know it's not your job, but, is it possilbe to get a good consistant job with regular pay as a writer? writing scripts is my favourite thing to do by far, I hear terrible, terrible things about life as a writer :frown:

Reply 2

dv86

Hi there,

No problem, I know that it's really daunting getting into 'media' and there is practically no useful information about it so willing to help out. Your answers below:

1) There are no 2 ways about it, it is very hard to get in to and you're never guaranteed to get a job in the industry on education alone. Going to uni and studying something media related will help you towards getting into industry as it will show employers that you really do want to get into the industry and not just doing it on a whim, but I have also met a lot of people who haven't been to university or done a media degree and been successful. Going to university will teach you a lot more than what is in your course though, such as how to apply knowledge and problem solve, as well as other life skills.

2) For me it was relatively easy to get into the industry and where I am. I was at the right place at the right time. After graduating I sent out dozens of CVs and emails to media companies and heard nothing back. One day I decided to take a different approach and go in and speak to someone face to face to about any vacancies. Luckily for me the first place I went in to were looking for runners and from there onwards I was lucky enough to keep moving upwards. Once you've gotten your foot in the door with media, you're usually fine.

3) Making contacts isn't imperative at college/ university, though it never does any harm. I wouldn't worry about it. Reality is only a small percentage of the people who you may have studied media with will make it into the industry. It is good practice to start making contacts though as it will help you build your personality as it's a trait which will benefit you down the line.

4) Media qualifications would be recognised in some fields but I wouldn't say it was a qualification you should pursue if your heart isn't in making it in the media industry. If you were unsure what you wanted to do I would recommend something a bit more generic which could be relevant in lots of different jobs.

5) The pay is poor for a long time until you establish yourself. It usually takes around 3-5 years until you're on a decent wage with a decent role. There are plenty of options in the media industry and every role has it's own pros and cons. Some jobs are freelance that pays very well but you wont work throughout the year, others are permanent but comfortable. Really depends where you want to specialise.

6) It is tough being a writer. I would suggest that if you had ideas for scripts, you should write on the side but pursue to get into 'development' within a production company. The development department are normally responsible for ideas for new TV shows and films. Usually you'd be working on someone else's idea but over time you can start pitching your own ideas.

All in all, it's a fun industry if you make it but it is hard work. The main thing to bear in mind is that the only way to get into the industry is by being a runner. If you're lucky enough to get to that stage, (you probably wont feel lucky with the poor wage and the amount of tea you'll have to make, but it is a rare privilege to get a foot in the door) you can succeed by just being a likeable person and hard working.

Do you have any ideas as to which area you'd like to specialise in? As there are a lot of areas to consider, do you need help understanding them all? I'm from a film/ tv background so I'd only be able to speak for that alone and not other areas such as radio/ web/ print though.

I hope this has helped in some way!

Reply 3

The_Dragonborn

Purely out of interest, do you know how people become film directors? How they get hired, skills they need etc.

Reply 4

dv86

Hi The_Dragonbor,

A lot of the film directors that I have met have come out of working in advertising. Some adverts can be 'mini-movies' because they're scripted, shot on the best cameras, have actors and are very expensive. Usually once you've made a name for yourself having done a few adverts the next step is to try and apply that knowledge within features.

I'd also recommend doing as many short films as possible. Perhaps try and find a scriptwriter and make some short films together. This will help you get hands on experience with cameras and techniques and once you get good at it you can start submitting them to short film festivals to get some publicity which may help you get funding for bigger projects.

I hope this helps!

Reply 5

msmiarose06

Hi,
I am looking to get some work in television this summer (runner, work experience) anything really! How would you go about doing this? I have applied for ITV insight and also looked at the BBC website.
Also how long typically does a runner job last?
Thanks!
Mia

Reply 6

dv86

Hi Mia,

Before you start applying, have you thought about where you want to specialize in the long run?

Options are:

Working for a Television Production Company (they come up with ideas and do the filming of shows)
Working for a Post Production Company (they edit, sound mix and grade the show)
Working for VFX (self explanatory, they work on the visual effects for TV shows)
Working for a hire company (they supply kit for all of the above)
Working for an advertising agency (specialise in pitching ideas for adverts - this is more marketing but crosses over into television production)

If you let me know which you're interested in I can try and help with contacts etc.

Thanks

Reply 7

noskcaj

Hi! Hats off to you for being so willing to help, people like you are rare nowadays.

I'm interested in getting involved in the film industry, specialising in the "look" of it, such as deciding the location, set, props ect. I believe they're called production designers? Anyway, I have a few questions and if you could help out it would be much appreciated!

1) In your degree did you have a chance to focus on the aesthetics of film, or was it mainly on the practical side of film making? If so, which undergraduate degree do you think will be best to lead to what I want to do?

2) Do you know of anyone involved in the art department that would be willing to answer a few questions of mine?

3) Would you say the working environment on a film set is more stressful or enjoyable?

Many thanks :smile:

(edited 9 years ago)

Reply 8

dv86

Hi Noskcaj,

Thanks for the compliment. It's my pleasure to help as I understand how daunting it can be when you need to start thinking about a career path but know very little about it.

On this occasion I don't think I'm qualified to answer your query on set design/ props. I've never dealt with that side of things so I can't answer that I'm afraid. At a guess I would say most set and prop designers are freelance and would have connections with the major studios such as Twickenham Studios etc. Perhaps getting in touch with someone at one of these studios might give you more answers?!

In regards to your other questions:
1)We didn't focus on anything to do with the aesthetics of film at all. Most filming we did was based in a studio or in the streets etc, nothing was purpose built.

2) I don't know anyone in the art department, sorry.

3)Working on a film set can be very stressful, but it's a good type of stress where you leave the day feeling like you've accomplished something.

I hope this little information helps...

(edited 9 years ago)

Reply 9

nataliecsutton

Hi!

I'm going to TV and Film Production at Westminster this year and as a career I'd really love to be a producer either for TV or film.

Is there any advice you could give as to how you would obtain this job role? Is it again through becoming a runner and socialising with contact?

And what's your average day like working?

Reply 10

dv86

Hi Natalie,

Going to uni to study a TV/ Film related subject is definitely a good start. You'll learn the basics on that course but there is still a long way to go. After you graduate you're going to be in the same boat as everyone else. The hardest step is to get your foot in the door and find someone willing to take you on as a runner. My best advice for this would be to get a list of companies you're interested in and go and speak to them face by face and then following things up by email. Just showing your enthusiasm to coming in and meet people face to face shows that you're confident, friendly etc. It can be daunting but the more you do it the better.

Once you get that role as a runner, the work will be mostly making tea and assisting other people but if you're willing to learn and shadow people, as well as show you're willing to go the extra mile then you will have no trouble moving up.

My average day is project managing various projects that I have on the go at once. I have to look after each project on a day to day basis as well plan to have things complete before their deadlines and look after the financial side of the projects. As much as people think that TV/ Film is mainly creative, that is usually dependent on budgets and finance too. It can get really stressful but it's rewarding seeing your name on the credits or going to wrap parties etc!!

Reply 11

danyxin

Hi!

Before I ask anything, thank you so much for starting this thread. I'm doing TV Production at the Uni of Westminster starting this September, and I'm pretty much set on becoming a television producer. I just have a few questions, and I'd really appreciate the help!

1. I hope this isn't a silly question, but I was wondering if being American would serve as an advantage or disadvantage to someone like me who wants to get into television producing in the UK? Obviously, I hope that my course will help familiarize myself with the industry, but say if I had wanted to be a writer, I could imagine struggling to write for a UK audience.

2. What are some things I can start doing while I'm in school to get involved in television? I got an email about student membership at the Royal Television Society, and that seemed like a good opportunity for me to pursue. I guess I'm mostly thinking about job-seeking after graduation and how to demonstrate to employers that I've been proactive about involving myself in the industry.

3. Did you do any internships or work experience while you were at university and how important is it have some of those under the belt once I graduate?

4. Last question, I promise. What are some basic skills or programs that people who want to become producers should know? I'm competent in Photoshop, Final Cut Pro, and Pro Tools, but I'm sure there are other things that I should familiarize myself with.

And once again, thanks for your time!

Reply 12

TV man

I'll butt in here with a few thoughts which might be useful:

1. Neither an advantage or a disadvantage really, depending on what you wanted to write. English style comedy might be a stretch for an American but there really wouldn't be much in it either way for other types of writing. The more important thing is - can you actually write?!

2. Make stuff. Short films, packages, anything really. Practice with any kit you can get your hands on - shooting, editing, sound mixing. And learn the rules and language of telly. What is an MCU, what is the Golden Mean, where would you put the cameras for a 1 + 1 interview? And get work experience if you can - a couple of day's work experience on a professional shoot is worth more on your CV that the £27,000 (or whatever) you will be paying for your course. (That isn't an exaggeration btw).

3. Pretty important. You won't get work unless you've done work experience. But if you do work unpaid for any company (and you are given set hours and real work) then, once you've finished that unpaid work, report them to HMRC. Employers in Film and TV steal from the pockets of young people when they use them as unpaid workers - they should not be allowed to do so. You can make a report entirely anonymously and still get the pay you should have got.

4. Those are good but, other than the above, do not waste too much time trying to accumulate skills that will be redundant when you start work. You can learn pretty much all you would need to know in the first couple of years working in the industry (making TV isn't particularly difficult or complex) and more in the first two weeks that you will learn in three years at Uni.

Best of luck!

(edited 9 years ago)