ADD ADVICE TO FAVRadio / TV producer
Radio / TV producers work for television or radio companies or for independent production companies.
What radio / TV producers do
- oversee a project from conception to completion
- initiate original ideas for projects
- sell these ideas to commissioning editors and manage the technical and creative team
- plan and schedule productions
- keep the project on budget
- negotiate contracts
- in smaller companies may be responsible for research and interviewing
- in local and commercial radio, or in independent companies may also act as presenter.
Key skills
- good knowledge of the industry
- excellent communication skills
- creativity
- good networking skills
- ability to inspire others
- patience
- stamina
- ability to work under pressure
- numeracy
- IT skills
- good technical skills
- problem-solving
- dedication.
Training to be a producer
Most training is on the job. The BBC runs a trainee programme-making scheme, but does not recruit every year. Some independent companies also have graduate schemes.
The organisation Film and TV Freelance Training provides training for those wishing to pursue a freelance career.
Salaries
Salaries vary tremendously depending on the size of the company and the scale of the project. They can be very low to start with, £20,000 to £22,000 being the top rate. Freelance rates for experienced staff can be high.
