GET ME THE PRODUCER!
BACKGROUND
JOBS IN TELEVISION
As a basic rule, the work of making television programmes, as with films, can be split into five areas:
- Pre-production – planning, casting, researching, writing, set designing and costume designing
- Production – managing the people making the film in the studio, and operating cameras and sound
- Gallery/control room – directing the film, and operating vision-mixing and other equipment
- Post-production – editing the film and sound, designing the title sequence, and composing any music
- Specialist services – organising special effects.
For a costume drama there would be the full complement of people in all or most of these roles. In a small scale production there are likely to be far fewer roles, with some people undertaking more than one role, for example combining producer and director, or sound and camera work.
The roles we saw in Get Me The Producer included:
Camera operator – senior member of the camera crew who films as instructed by the director. Responsible for ensuring the action is properly filmed in frame and should have a feel for following the action.
Commissioner – often called commissioning editor, this person is responsible for commissioning programmes, usually from independent production companies. They will set and agree the budget and may have a role in the final edit, which shapes the look and content of the programme.
Director – responsible for directing the actors, presenters and any other filmed items.
Floor manager – on the studio floor, keeps in close touch with the director in the gallery. Responsible for giving instructions and directions to the crew, presenters and actors.
Make-up artist – applies make-up to all the artists in the programme, on the face and head as well as the hands and arms. Responsible for producing the right look for the role including making the actor look the appropriate age.
Presenter – working at the frontline of television, they will introduce and host the programme. He or she may read the news or host a quiz or chat show, and they will work closely with other team members to ensure the programme runs to time. They may need to follow detailed instructions from the director whilst on air. The personality of the presenter is often deemed an important factor in the success of a programme.
Producer – in overall charge, but will stand back from the operational detail and try to see it from the viewer's perspective. Plans the artistic and technical resources needed, controls the budget and staff, and may supervise the script. This role may be combined with that of director.
Producer's assistant – provides clerical assistance, arranges artists' rehearsal times, assists with preparing the music, photographs, etc, that will be included in the film, and keeps records of what's been filmed so far.
Researcher – researches the project in advance – facts, ideas, background information – and informs the director, producer and writer, to ensure the film is accurate and authentic.
Runner – fetches, carries and does whatever small jobs need doing for the production department.
Set designer – responsible for the visual appearance of the production. He or she will design, plan and organise the look required, which will usually have been discussed and agreed with the director.
Studio director – similar to the role of director but with the sole focus being on what is filmed in the studio (as opposed to outside elements such as interviews and location shots).
