Obstacles in Film Producer Career Growth and Development - Term Paper Example

Introduction

A producer plays an essential role in the television and film industry. A film producer plays the role of overseeing the conception and all the processes involved until the completion of a film (Lewis, 2015). On the other hand, a television producer manages and controls all the aspects of television programs video production. Film or television production is the process which is followed in the making of a specific film or television program. According to Mamer (2013), the film or television production process begins with initiation of an idea or story in the process of screenwriting. Casting and shooting follow. Sound recording and editing of the film or television program the follows. Most film or television producers do the screening of film or program, and the process ends with the distribution of the final product to the audience. There are different types of producers such as casting producers, line producers, location producers and production managers among others (Battista, 2013).

A recently graduated producer from a film school has different options in kick starting his/her career path in film/television production. Some are lucky to start as assistant producers while others start off as interns in film and television companies. In the United Kingdom, one can start off as a television production intern or assistant at British Broadcasting Company, British Sky Broadcasting Group, and Channel 4 among others (Great Britain, 2010). Film producers in the United Kingdom can start off as interns or assistant producers at Big Talk Pictures, Warp Films, Cloud Eight, Aardman, Pinewood Studios and Ruby Films among other film production companies (Kelly, 2014).

Aim

The purpose of this essay is to critically evaluate approaches towards a film or television producer career development in the film/television industry.

Production in Film/TV Industry

The film industry is made up of very many commercial film and television programs making companies. These include the film production companies, television companies, animation companies, screen writing companies and distribution companies among others. The film producer primary role is to ensure that there is an effective planning of all the aspects of the television program or film production. Film theory states that film/television producers work in close collaboration with directors, script writers, and other members who form the production team to ensure that a certain meaning is communicated to the target audience (Stradling, 2010). A film or television program is a project that requires certain skills and knowledge for it to be successful. The United Kingdom has a well-founded film and television industry. The industry has over 4,000 numbers of screens where different groups of people are entertained by new films (Kelly, 2014).

Television programs also play a significant role in the United Kingdom film/television industry. The leading distribution companies in the industry are Warner Bros, Paramount and 20th Century Fox (Barber, 2013). The industry is well structured, and it generates revenue of over £1.5 billion (Kelly, 2014). Some of the leading film producers in the history of United Kingdom include; Amanda Posey, Danny Boyle, Ken Loach, Christian Colson, Joe Wright, Elizabeth Karlsen and Andrea Calderwood among others. Globally, there are many opportunities in the film industry for producers. In the United Kingdom, a graduated producer has many opportunities for growth. The industry is in need of new minds, ideas, thoughts, innovativeness, and creativity. Therefore, new graduates in production in the film industry have many opportunities for career growth. Film departments in many film and television companies are in need of interns, assistant producers, and producers. A newly graduated producer can take advantage of these opportunities (Rees et al., 2011).

Hierarchical structure of a producer in a film department

The executive producer is the most senior member of the film department in any film/television production company. However, it should be noted that the producer may be the head of the department and hire an executive producer during a film or television program production. The producer is usually in charge of the entire film production process and works closely with the director and the head of the department. The director of photography, sound engineers, production designers and editors with their teams take the lower ranks in the hierarchy of film department (Lewis, 2015).

Production Process

The film production process starts with the development of the script for the film. Pre-production follows where all the planning of the film takes place. The production process follows and here effective communication, and resource allocation takes place (Mamer, 2013). The next stages involve the actual filming. Upon the completion of the shooting, post-production process starts. A review of the footage takes place; editing and final evaluation of the film take place. The final stage is the distribution part of the film (Honthaner, 2013; Kooperman, 2009).

Roles of a Film Producer

A film producer who has graduated from a film school knows that the producer is in charge of the entire film production process. The producer selects the script for making the film. The producer also supervises the writing process of the script according to the idea of the film. Directing, editing and financing of the film are also managed by the film producer (Rees et al., 2011). The producer also hires the film project staff. The producer has an obligation of controlling the budget and allocating resources during the film production. It is also the duty of the producer to prepare the contracts for various stakeholders during the film production. The issues to do with copyrights are also done by the producer. This information shows that there are many opportunities for producers in film or television production (Lewis, 2015).

Methodology

Primary and secondary data sources have been used in this evaluation. Secondary data sources used in this evaluation are the available data in the form of documents, press releases, annual reports and publications of various film and television companies in the United Kingdom (Kuada, 2012). An in-depth review of the secondary sources was done to ensure that all the information collected contributes towards the realisation of the objective of this report. Primary data sources used in this study is observation and interviews with different stakeholders in various film companies. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics of analysis (Kuada, 2012). This method is used so that the evaluation could present its findings effectively. It was also important because I was able to identify the similarities and differences that exist between my findings from the secondary and primary data sources.

Examples of Film Producers/Companies in the UK

As stated earlier, there are many companies and stakeholders that a fresh producer graduate can approach for an opportunity in production. The companies offer great opportunities which recent graduates can utilise for the growth and development of their careers (Lewis, 2015). They can also use these opportunities to create strong and solid networking and support systems for the advancement of their career. These companies include; BBC, Seesaw, Hammer, Esosse Films, Big Talk Pictures, Channel 5, Cloud Eight, Number 9 and British Sky Broadcasting Group among others (Great Britain, 2010). There also great film producers I can learn from for the growth of my production career. Some of the great film producers that graduate producers can work with to gain experience, knowledge and sharpen their skills include; David Heyman, Mark Herbert, Eric Fellner, Edgar Wright, Danny Boyle, Andrea Calderwood and Joe Wright among others (Kelly, 2014). Graduate producers can also great effective networking systems with these producers and rise to become the next biggest film and television producers in the United Kingdom. Working with these great companies and producers can also motivate and inspire them towards creating their films and television programs.

Obstacles in film producer career growth and development

There has been a stiff competition in film and television career opportunities. One needs extra skills and knowledge to be able to stand out from the other film producers. A producer can learn all the skills and knowledge associated with film production to be in a position of multitasking. Technological skills can also be used in ensuring that a film producer deals with the obstacle of competition (Battista, 2013). Funding is another key obstacle in film production. The best way to address this as a new producer is to work with other companies in the film industry before embarking on a solo film production career. Lack of experience is another obstacle that many graduate producers face in their film production careers. This can be addressed through part time jobs, internships, and film related training and workshops. Lack of sufficient knowledge on legal rights of producers and access to government grants can also be an obstacle for graduate producers (Dickinsom & Harvey, 2005). Distribution of films and other digital products of the graduate producers can be a challenge. These can be addressed through sufficient training and interaction with key stakeholders in the film and television industry.

Strategies/the path of becoming a Film Producer

There are many strategies that graduate producers can develop or implement in creating an effective path to becoming a successful film producer. Some of the most successful film producers kick start their careers as actors, directors, script writers and others as film editors. A graduate producer is someone who has the knowledge and skills required for undertaking a film or television production job. The only aspect of film production that they lack is the experience which is significant for film production success (Lewis, 2015). Many fresh graduate producers have all the knowledge which they require, and some even have some field experience in production. The internship is always the best way of kick starting a career in the film production. It enables the graduate producer to gain insights and the experience required to manage the entire film production process. The internship also gives the new film producers an opportunity to interact with key players in the film industry. Solid relations and networks are created, and the graduate producers can now seek other opportunities of enhancing their careers in the film industry (Mamer, 2013).

Another strategy that graduate film producers can use is seeking employment opportunities in film and television companies. Numerous junior opportunities are available in many film companies (Stradling, 2010). For example, one can apply for the production assistant post in a film or television of company of his/her choice. One can also apply for the other posts which are closely related to film production such as assistant director, editor or production assistant designer post. These posts sharpen the skills that the graduate has in script writing and supervision, pitching, budgeting, and scheduling, contracting, shooting and editing. One is also able to master the entire film production process from initiation to completion stage. The graduate producer can also start off as an independent film maker (Honthaner, 2013). This gives a producer the opportunity to contract other producers and directors in film making. Their interactions offer many learning opportunities for the producer. These offer learning opportunities for the producer and experience is gained with time on film and television production (Kooperman, 2009).

Issues in the Film Industry

There are very many issues and obstacles that pose challenges to film producers in the film industry. Globalisation and technological advancements have made it easier for people to connect and compete in the global film market. There is a rise in film producers in the world, and this has increased competition in the films and television programs. Competition can be addressed through the production of more innovative and creative films and television programs. Lack of ideas has also been witnessed in the film industry (Lewis, 2015). This can be addressed through the effective development of stories, storytelling process, and visualisation. According to Battista (2013), funding is another issue that has been affecting the film industry. This can be addressed through effective funding partnerships. Marketing via social media networking platforms is another challenge in the film industry for film producers. It can be addressed through hiring professional marketers in these social sites. Distribution channels of films have also expanded, and this has increased piracy and other crimes associated with film copyrighted materials. The digital distribution channels have also flooded with films and television programs from different parts of the world (Rees et al., 2011). This can be addressed through the production of a genre specific television program or film. The film producer can then sign a contract with various stakeholders to distribute the film using the hybrid distribution strategies. This is a combination of cinemas, television or press releases and the various available online distribution channels. Franchise model can also be used in the marketing of different film products to address the challenge of piracy and poor returns on films and television programs products (Mamer, 2013).

Conclusion

In summary, a graduate producer can use different paths in ensuring that they grow and develop their careers in the film/television industry. Many opportunities are available in the film/television industry. Graduate producers should strive to ensure that they gain the necessary experience in the film industry. They should also ensure that they create strong support and networking systems in the industry. They can also start low by taking junior job positions in different film/television companies. They will gain sufficient skills and knowledge which can enhance their future film production operations. They will also be in a position to start their independent filmmaking careers.