I don't think not knowing how to produce will stop me from learning how to. After all I didn't know how to write a novel... but I did write a novel. ha ha ha - All advice welcome.
Cathy, Thank you so much for taking the time to comment. You have made it sound impossible for me to do this... But as I am me (crafty smile on my cockney face and little glint in my eye BTW) I will still have to have a go. Or at the least hand the mantle over to a sympathetic, yet very capable producer and inexpensive producer to see what can be done. But seriously you have opened my eyes to the task ahead. Regards Joseph V.
Joseph, you are welcome. Please know that the day someone pays you to produce a production is the day you become a Professional Producer. If you put up the money to fund a video production that you wrote , that makes you the Writer/Executive Producer. I didn't mean to make the job sound impossible but you must have a 12 track mind with the ability to multitask effortlessly. If you are not a natural born leader with excellent people skills the job could be hard. Also you must have the gift of the power of persuasion. If not, it will be hard to get crews to go beyond the call of duty and will be difficult to convince potential Investors to fund your projects. But if crews members believe in you and the project they will share your passion and create the best video productions. Spike Lee once said, Director's are not made they are born. I feel the same way about Producers. The number one attribute you must have is believing you can do it. Sounds like you have mastered that part. Now you have to find someone who will pay you and give you a chance or you can work for free or shadow a Producer as a PA for a while and learn how to find projects, create the budget, raise money for productions, manage clients, crews, production equipment, and post production. All things are possible if you believe. So if its what you want , keep believing and you will attract the opportunity to become a Producer. I think you will be ok due to the fact you got my attention when I usually don't share information like this. Wishing you all the best! Cathy
Writing that novel was a one man operation. You made mistakes (and corrected them) alone. Producing is done with others. You will make very public mistakes. But you're right; you wrote a novel, you can learn to produce. Ever thought of producing a few short films to get the hang of it?
I agree with you both, I also know it won't be easy but to be honest it sounds very much how I would project manage one of my construction jobs. Makign sure the right people are in the right place, everything set us ready to go and keeping the client and team members happy. I really think my biggest obstical is lack of industry knowledge and being in a position where the sheeps covering can be dragged over my optical senses. Now if I could get a producer involved with a dea, but I guess that is asking far too much especially in a global recession. Thanks for cutting my teeth in here guys. take care J x
I personally believe we are all new at doing things. Circumstances change, and what was good yesterday may not be good today, next week, next year. For sure, having done similar before can't hurt, but then maybe it can in that opinions can become ossified and one can't adapt to the changing scenario. That said, you have to start somewhere, and I've always found the most fertile patch to plant your tree of knowledge is upon life experience. Obviously, not everyone's life experience is especially germane to Production - but assuming it is reasonably near, you should be able to wing it very successfully and innovatively. It is said that the great computing pioneer Sir Clive Sinclair didn't know what he was doing. In fact, he would make a point of it: he would mug up on the basic requirements and then forge his own way to completion of the project. The result was truly innovative. In the creative industries, isn't that what we should strive towards?
Joseph, if you are project managing in the construction industry that's great. If you are managing construction crews on jobs from start to completion you are closer to being a producer than you think. It would be great if you could get into set designing and learn how studios build movie and TV sets. You would come in ahead of the game familiar with Unions, crews, set building/designing, cost for material, dressing and lighting. I'm sure you can offer your talent to someone in your area and the rest will be history. Instead of finding a producer maybe you should look to work with a Producer so that you will learn to appreciate what we do and as a result become a trained producer instead of a self proclaimed Producer. That's just my 2 cents for what it is worth. In my opinion you are going to be ok due to the fact you are very wise to seek the knowledge to do what you desire. Your passion for production will draw everything you need. Just be respectful and people in the industry will not have a problem letting you in. Please know that this level of production is a private club. I have enjoyed communicating with you and hearing about your desire to become a Producer. Please enjoy your day!
While I have 20-plus years in the ad game, producing both radio and TV, the folks who fund or buy content want to see direct industry experience in any serious project. I've come across this hurdle three times within the last 16 months working on potential TV properties. There are three key elements: 1) A great lead character; 2) a compelling situation; and 3) an experienced team that can take #1 and #2 and produce a successful show or film that pays back the initial investment. And a critical #4 is to own your work! Not just the copyright, but the option with your character or entity.
Andrew thanks for the input I had to look up ossified, learned something new already. I love the Sinclair analogy thanks for the encouragement sir. Cathy thanks for your kind words, I believe that working with a producer is what I meant I think. As for being respectful, ma'am I am in total awe of you guys. Thanks again my determination is just growing. Rudy thanks for the breakdown is so helpful Have a real great lead, more than compelling situation, the hunt for number three is on and number four I own it all. lol Lots of industry people contacting me with genuine interest and i want to thank you all for being so positive in your advice. You are all truly helpful. Thanks
We have to learn our trade. I am an author, but still learning as I go. I have discovered that perhaps I'm more of a screenwriter than a novelist, although I enjoy doing both. In both fields, I still have a lot to learn, but what helps me is to know that even Steven Spielberg didn't know everything when he first started, nor did Charleston Heston know his trade when he first started. It all takes time, patience, and mixed with talent, we'll each learn our trade with pride and joy. At least that's my simple take on things. Good discussion.
Joseph, you have attracted great advice today from people who are real. Keep seeking and the path to becoming a great video and film Producer will reveal itself. I'm proud of the production community for speaking out and sending encouraging Wisdom your way. Even with the natural gift we have all been you. Such as over twenty years ago, I had one weekend of training before I was asked to produced two live TV news shows for an NBC affiliate in a sink or swim situation. Also, after anchoring international news 3 weeks for my college radio station I told a major FM station that I was a radio news announcer and was asked to broadcast news for that station the next day... And as a result my home town went wild cause no one knew i had that talent in me. So I'm one who says, when you have the confidence, go for it! Wishing you all the best.
Andy, I believe that even though our industry changes daily still everything is an extension of something that has already happened. I believe entertainers and news gatherers since the beginning of time practiced the who, what, when and where formula. Plus entertainment was taken so seriously a King could have you beheaded for a bad show. So in the beginning the job of Producer or Talent was a hot seat and it still is. In my opinion there is nothing new. However, I agree with the fact that If we want to stay in this game we must keep up with the latest trends but never venture far from the base, cause " There is nothing new under the Sun."
Joseph, this is not a gentle industry. It is a world where you Make the wrong move and your office key will not work the next day. For some reason the stars are lining up for you today. But this is not the way it really is. I'm happy for you though. Enjoy the attention.
LOL Sounds just like the Project Management Game Cathy, many a key change in my past and dare I say future too. And as for harsh... Hmmm I've seen grown men shed tear .. but thanks for the heads up, really appreciate it. Must be a good omen that the movie is fated to be made... (I wished) lol
Movie magic is truly your friend. Budgeting can change everything. Scheduling is an amazing program. I only advocate because I am now producing (in addition to) directing my films. It's a major perspective changer.
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Cathy, Thank you so much for taking the time to comment. You have made it sound impossible for me to do this... But as I am me (crafty smile on my cockney face and little glint in my eye BTW) I will still have to have a go. Or at the least hand the mantle over to a sympathetic, yet very capable producer and inexpensive producer to see what can be done. But seriously you have opened my eyes to the task ahead. Regards Joseph V.
Joseph, you are welcome. Please know that the day someone pays you to produce a production is the day you become a Professional Producer. If you put up the money to fund a video production that you wrote , that makes you the Writer/Executive Producer. I didn't mean to make the job sound impossible but you must have a 12 track mind with the ability to multitask effortlessly. If you are not a natural born leader with excellent people skills the job could be hard. Also you must have the gift of the power of persuasion. If not, it will be hard to get crews to go beyond the call of duty and will be difficult to convince potential Investors to fund your projects. But if crews members believe in you and the project they will share your passion and create the best video productions. Spike Lee once said, Director's are not made they are born. I feel the same way about Producers. The number one attribute you must have is believing you can do it. Sounds like you have mastered that part. Now you have to find someone who will pay you and give you a chance or you can work for free or shadow a Producer as a PA for a while and learn how to find projects, create the budget, raise money for productions, manage clients, crews, production equipment, and post production. All things are possible if you believe. So if its what you want , keep believing and you will attract the opportunity to become a Producer. I think you will be ok due to the fact you got my attention when I usually don't share information like this. Wishing you all the best! Cathy
Writing that novel was a one man operation. You made mistakes (and corrected them) alone. Producing is done with others. You will make very public mistakes. But you're right; you wrote a novel, you can learn to produce. Ever thought of producing a few short films to get the hang of it?
I agree with you both, I also know it won't be easy but to be honest it sounds very much how I would project manage one of my construction jobs. Makign sure the right people are in the right place, everything set us ready to go and keeping the client and team members happy. I really think my biggest obstical is lack of industry knowledge and being in a position where the sheeps covering can be dragged over my optical senses. Now if I could get a producer involved with a dea, but I guess that is asking far too much especially in a global recession. Thanks for cutting my teeth in here guys. take care J x
I personally believe we are all new at doing things. Circumstances change, and what was good yesterday may not be good today, next week, next year. For sure, having done similar before can't hurt, but then maybe it can in that opinions can become ossified and one can't adapt to the changing scenario. That said, you have to start somewhere, and I've always found the most fertile patch to plant your tree of knowledge is upon life experience. Obviously, not everyone's life experience is especially germane to Production - but assuming it is reasonably near, you should be able to wing it very successfully and innovatively. It is said that the great computing pioneer Sir Clive Sinclair didn't know what he was doing. In fact, he would make a point of it: he would mug up on the basic requirements and then forge his own way to completion of the project. The result was truly innovative. In the creative industries, isn't that what we should strive towards?
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Joseph, if you are project managing in the construction industry that's great. If you are managing construction crews on jobs from start to completion you are closer to being a producer than you think. It would be great if you could get into set designing and learn how studios build movie and TV sets. You would come in ahead of the game familiar with Unions, crews, set building/designing, cost for material, dressing and lighting. I'm sure you can offer your talent to someone in your area and the rest will be history. Instead of finding a producer maybe you should look to work with a Producer so that you will learn to appreciate what we do and as a result become a trained producer instead of a self proclaimed Producer. That's just my 2 cents for what it is worth. In my opinion you are going to be ok due to the fact you are very wise to seek the knowledge to do what you desire. Your passion for production will draw everything you need. Just be respectful and people in the industry will not have a problem letting you in. Please know that this level of production is a private club. I have enjoyed communicating with you and hearing about your desire to become a Producer. Please enjoy your day!
1 person likes this
While I have 20-plus years in the ad game, producing both radio and TV, the folks who fund or buy content want to see direct industry experience in any serious project. I've come across this hurdle three times within the last 16 months working on potential TV properties. There are three key elements: 1) A great lead character; 2) a compelling situation; and 3) an experienced team that can take #1 and #2 and produce a successful show or film that pays back the initial investment. And a critical #4 is to own your work! Not just the copyright, but the option with your character or entity.
Andrew thanks for the input I had to look up ossified, learned something new already. I love the Sinclair analogy thanks for the encouragement sir. Cathy thanks for your kind words, I believe that working with a producer is what I meant I think. As for being respectful, ma'am I am in total awe of you guys. Thanks again my determination is just growing. Rudy thanks for the breakdown is so helpful Have a real great lead, more than compelling situation, the hunt for number three is on and number four I own it all. lol Lots of industry people contacting me with genuine interest and i want to thank you all for being so positive in your advice. You are all truly helpful. Thanks
1 person likes this
We have to learn our trade. I am an author, but still learning as I go. I have discovered that perhaps I'm more of a screenwriter than a novelist, although I enjoy doing both. In both fields, I still have a lot to learn, but what helps me is to know that even Steven Spielberg didn't know everything when he first started, nor did Charleston Heston know his trade when he first started. It all takes time, patience, and mixed with talent, we'll each learn our trade with pride and joy. At least that's my simple take on things. Good discussion.
Hello Lisa, like your style me dear. I agree keep the faith and learn, learn learn.
Joseph, you have attracted great advice today from people who are real. Keep seeking and the path to becoming a great video and film Producer will reveal itself. I'm proud of the production community for speaking out and sending encouraging Wisdom your way. Even with the natural gift we have all been you. Such as over twenty years ago, I had one weekend of training before I was asked to produced two live TV news shows for an NBC affiliate in a sink or swim situation. Also, after anchoring international news 3 weeks for my college radio station I told a major FM station that I was a radio news announcer and was asked to broadcast news for that station the next day... And as a result my home town went wild cause no one knew i had that talent in me. So I'm one who says, when you have the confidence, go for it! Wishing you all the best.
If this helpful behavior is atypical of the community then I know I am going to be happy on my endeavors. Thank you all for be gentle with me.
Andy, I believe that even though our industry changes daily still everything is an extension of something that has already happened. I believe entertainers and news gatherers since the beginning of time practiced the who, what, when and where formula. Plus entertainment was taken so seriously a King could have you beheaded for a bad show. So in the beginning the job of Producer or Talent was a hot seat and it still is. In my opinion there is nothing new. However, I agree with the fact that If we want to stay in this game we must keep up with the latest trends but never venture far from the base, cause " There is nothing new under the Sun."
Joseph, this is not a gentle industry. It is a world where you Make the wrong move and your office key will not work the next day. For some reason the stars are lining up for you today. But this is not the way it really is. I'm happy for you though. Enjoy the attention.
LOL Sounds just like the Project Management Game Cathy, many a key change in my past and dare I say future too. And as for harsh... Hmmm I've seen grown men shed tear .. but thanks for the heads up, really appreciate it. Must be a good omen that the movie is fated to be made... (I wished) lol
Yep, Joseph, as I said before... you are going to be okkkkkkk,
Thank you so much. I'll end it there. Stay well all and thank you so very much, please let me know if I can help you in some way. Regards
1 person likes this
Movie magic is truly your friend. Budgeting can change everything. Scheduling is an amazing program. I only advocate because I am now producing (in addition to) directing my films. It's a major perspective changer.
1 person likes this
Producing in my mind is really about good people skills, knowing how to build a team.