Becoming a Producer.?

Question

I live in Vancouver, Canada, and I want to become a producer when I get older. I was wondering how I would go about becoming one. There is a large movie studio right by my house. Should I apply for a job there?

Answer 1

No you shouldn't.  What kind of Producer do you want to be?  If you want to be the kind that follows orders and has an enormous amount of work load slammed on their sholders then don't go the work my way up route.  

Or would you like a nice office where people come to you and pitch their ideas and beg you to work on their projects.  You get to hire other people to do the hard work for you and you get to make all the major desicions like pick the director etc.  

If the latter applies then you need money.  Lots and lots of money.  A business degree would be good as well.  That's it.  Once you have money you just start telling people that you're willing to produce their piece of c**p and they come flocking.  

If you do it from the bottom then by the time you get anywhere you just grab hold of the first taste of power and stagnate and when looking back you'll see that your still just a order taker.  The real producers are executive producers.  They have the money either with their own means or know of someone else's.  

Try volunteering for a few film sets here in Vancouver and you'll quickly learn that the producers here are chumps that can only dream of being an executive producer.

Answer 2

Absolutely.  Work your way up within the studio.  I found the following information online:

Movie Producer: Education for a Career in Film Producing

A movie producer is the behind-the-scenes decision maker. There are no specific education requirements to become a movie producer, but employers are looking for particular characteristics. Read this article to find out what employers are looking for in a movie producer.

What is a Movie Producer?

A movie producer is an entertainment business professional who remains completely behind the scenes. Producers are considered the decision makers on a set. Here is a list of a producer's duties:

Select Scripts

Approve Developmental Ideas

Arrange Financing

Determine the Size and Cost of the Endeavor

Hire and Approve Directors, Main Cast Members, and Important Production Staff Members

Negotiate Contracts, Collective Bargaining Agreements

Guarantee Payment of Salaries, Rent, and Other Expenses

This list of responsibilities is from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, www.bls.gov. Since many business decisions are left to the producer, individuals interested in movies with a business background may be best suited for this profession.

Educational Requirements for a Movie Producer:

There are no specific education requirements for a movie producer. It does help to have knowledge about movies and the entertainment industry. A producer must also have strong communication and leadership skills. Those at the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report employers looking for talent, experience, and business insight when they are looking for a producer.

Occupational Outlook for Movie Producers:

For the upcoming years, the Bureau reports that job growth for movie producers is expected to increase as fast as the average for all careers. Even though this field is highly competitive, experts note that many producers leave their positions because of the demanding scheduling and stress.

Salary Information for Movie Producers:

In 2004, the median salary for producers and directors was $52,840, as recorded by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.