Film Producer
There's this great line in a song from the Broadway Play and Film, The Producers, and Matthew Broderrick belts it out... " I want to be a Producer!" It kind of lightens up your mood when you realize that there is such a huge mountain to climb in order to become one. So doing the research on how to actually get myself into the position and really walk the walk led me to some great advice.
The funniest, and truest form was on the getinmedia.com web cite hosted by Full Sail University. It is a real world-entertainment industry career based advice source that is clear, concise, and doesn't beat around the bush. Therefore, I looked into "Film Producer," and it starts off by saying unless you're neighbors with The Weinstein Brothers or Stephen Spielberg, or unless you have the unlimited funds to put up yourself for the projects, you will need to start off as a "Production Assistant."
Production Assistant
I am determined to accomplish this career goal through all necessary means. So it's a big risk, but getting through to Mr. Harvey Weinstein, my industry hero, is my first task on my goal sheet. Also, I am working on a project where I do have to come up with the funding for the film, method number 2. But method number 3, getting a position as a Production Assistant is my current task at hand as well. And it really does help reviewing the Production Assistant information within the getinmedia.com web cite, so that I have a deeper understanding and I am prepared for what it demands and how it helps bridge the gap from where I am professionally and where I want to be ultimately in Producing Films.
Building my worth or any film producer's worth in this industry is understanding the finances and what is going on with how films are being shot, where, and what it is doing to the economic workforce as it is now becoming more dispersed outside of Hollywood due to financial benefits mainly decrease in costs and increase in overall value to get quality pictures made. This is so interesting because it affects everything involved in film production from tax breaks to Production Assistant job availabilities outside of Los Angeles, California. The main benefits are the tax credits that states such as Louisiana, Georgia, and others, offer to Producers. By offering these credits to make movies in their states this augments the corresponding states' economies-because the film industry is considered a "Base" industry, therefore it brings money into a place and will need to utilize the local services or pump money into local business structures. Hence the tax credits given are substantial enough to enable the Production team to remain within their designated budgets. I have to be honest with you, that is music to this new comer's ears. Examine this article from the Wall Street Journal further. I have included the link.
As Movie Production Scatters, So Do Tinseltown's Hired Hands
It seems as if the two of us share a similar goal: we both want to be producers! I’ve spent years researching the film industry and found out, just as you have, that the best way in is through landing a position as a Production Assistant. You’ve got your “goal” sights set on Mr. Harvey Weinstein and I’ve got mine set on Ms. Oprah Winfrey. Landing P.A. jobs for these industry “heavy-hitters” would no doubt give us just the boost we need to get into the industry. Even though some of us would like to think they can make it on their own, not everyone can just magically manifest a flourishing career as a producer just by his or her own sheer will. To brush up on the skills that I would need to obtain an entry-level job as a Production Assistant, I read this article on MAfilm.org (http://www.mafilm.org/so-you-want-to-be-a-production-assistant/) and it gave me a really in depth look at what it takes to make it. The article discussed the different types of Production Assistants, the job requirements and what it takes to be successful at what they do. The job can be pretty overwhelming but, I also found a lighter side to the position.
ReplyDeleteHere’s a comical look into the life of a Production Assistant:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EH8RvV9Af0E
Awesome, because I was feeling alone in our sea of accomplished Sound Moguls. Oprah is the quintessential queen, and I love her work and her world soul. There is a beautiful picture that I have as a montage of her and Harvey kissing on the cheek. He produced "The Butler," which she co-starred in with Forrest Whittaker, and he also produced "Mandela." He moves me because of the works he thrusts into the world even if they are inconvenient truths about the stories and struggles of people. Oprah does that really well also, she tells stories and she evokes the call to action and a sense of urgency! I could cry, it just moves me. Thank you for your articles. You may want to look into get in media.com's page on Unit Production Manager, and Line Production Manager-it's pretty awesome. I knwo that Full Sail is offering a pretty cool spot as a production assistant on transpiring verses from the Bible into media that People who can't read can listen to in a visual and audio medium. The company is "Cru," and it is on our Full Sail connect homepage.
DeleteAll my warmest regards Lovetta,
Michelle
Wanting to become a movie producer is very intriguing! Your journey of course will be an uphill like everything else in the industry, but I believe you and I share one of many things in common. We're determined to succeed in the wake of it all, failure is not an option. I can recall wanting to understand film more while residing in Canada. I would travel to all the local access television stations to get hands on training or experience of that nature, just to understand the life of a producer. I'd recommend the same perhaps even starting a nonprofit organization on your own to do shorts or local films for artists in the area you reside. I would even go as far to recommend volunteering for a Mayors position to get to know some of cites shakers and movers. With aligning yourself with a non-profit it allows more access to your material and perhaps that's were your funding will begin to come from for future projects to come. I would love to assist in anyway with more information, just let me know how I'm able to assist on your journey!! Great job in following your dreams, until they become reality!
ReplyDeleteC. Mason II
One of the most important things is networking. If you just make your way to finding the right people and connecting, then that will be a major help in getting you a step closer to where you want to be. Try to find events around your area like RAW artists is a great way to network with people from all artistic professions and if they can't get you directly to the person, then they know a person who knows a person. This will be your biggest asset.
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