PRODUCERS BY C.J.

DESCRIPTION OF THE OCCUPATION INCLUDING MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES. Producers are entrepreneurs who make the business and financial decisions involving a motion picture, television show, or stage production. They select scripts, approve the development of ideas, arrange financing, and determine the size and cost of the endeavor. Producers hire or approve directors, principal cast members, and key production staff members. Large productions often have associate, assistant, or line producers who share responsibilities. The number of producers and their specific job duties vary with the size and budget of each production; however, all work is done under the overall direction of an executive producer. Together the producers coordinate the activities of writers, directors, managers, and agents to ensure that each project stays on schedule and within budget.

WHAT ARE THE EDUCATION AND TRAINING REQUIREMENTS FOR THE OCCUPATION? Producers and especially directors need experience in the field, either as actors or in other related jobs. Formal dramatic training, either through an acting conservatory or a university program, generally is necessary for these jobs, but some people successfully enter the field without it.

LIST OTHER REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS SUCH AS LICENSING, CERTIFICATIONS, ETC. There are no specific training requirements for producers. They come from many different backgrounds. Actors, writers, film editors, and business managers commonly enter the field. Producers often start in a theatrical management office, working for a press agent, managing director, or business manager. Some start in a performing arts union or service organization. Others work behind the scenes with successful directors, serve on the boards of art companies, or promote their own projects. Although there are no formal training programs for producers, a number of colleges and universities offer degree programs in arts management and in managing nonprofit organizations. Like actors, directors and producers need talent and creativity. Directors need management ability because they are often in charge of a large number of people in a production. Producers need business acumen.

WHAT IS THE AVERAGE WAGE OR SALARY FOR THIS OCCUPATION? Salary range goes from $30, to $112, Annually

LIST THE PLACES WHERE PEOPLE IN THIS OCCUPATION MIGHT WORK. Although many actors, producers, and directors work in New York or Los Angeles, far more work in other places. They perform, direct, and produce in local or regional television studios, theaters, or film production companies, often creating advertising or training films or small- scale independent movies.

WHAT IS THE EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK FOR THIS OCCUPATION? In May 2008, actors, producers, and directors held about 155,100 jobs, primarily in the motion picture and video, performing arts, and broadcast industries. This statistic does not capture large number of actors, producers, and directors who were available for work but were between jobs during the month in which data were collected. About 21 percent of actors, producers, and directors were self-employed.

WHAT ARE THE OPPORTUNITIES FOR ADVANCEMENT? Advancement. As the reputations and box-office draw of actors, producers, and directors grow, some of them work on bigger budget productions, on network or syndicated broadcasts, in more prestigious theaters, or in larger markets.

LIST OTHER OCCUPATIONS THAT ARE SIMILAR OR RELATED. Set and exhibit designers Top executives Announcers