Expert: Phil Nemy - 11/28/2007

Question
QUESTION: Hey Phil,
My name is Max. I am currently attending a college in Santa Barbara. I am
majoring in Film Production. My dream is to work for Disney Channel or on
Disney Productions such as movies or television. I was wondering what are
the steps I should do to make this happen. I will pretty much do anything. I
have had some experiences on sets but not much. I would be willing to be a
PA. I thought since you worked for Disney you would know. Thanks a lot and I
hope to hear from you soon!
Max

ANSWER: Max,

Thanks for writing. The most important thing for you to concentrate on is not working for Disney, but deciding what type of career in film you seek. Do you want to be a director, producer, cameraman, designer, grip, gaffer, etc. What do you want to do? You need to decide this, and be as specific as possible, before you can even think beyond that.

So, what specifically do you want to do for a career in entertainment?

Phil

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QUESTION: Lately I have been interested in becoming a producer for television shows. But, I am not quite sure what exactly a producer does. What do they all do? Thanks again

ANSWER: Max,

There are three types of producers in the film and TV business: Money Producers, Creative Producers and Line Producers. They are all free-lance jobs which means they only get paid when they are hired to produce a project, unlike studio or network executives who are staff employees of major corporations whi receive a weekly paycheck.

Money producers put up the financing for a film or TV project to be made. They usually aren't involved in the day-to-day stuff of producing.

Creative Producers find material that can be produce as either film or TV product. They convine independent money producers and/or studios and/or networks and/or production companies to put up the money to make the project. Some creative producers then shepherd the project all the way through. Others just like to put the project together and then leave the day-to-day to others.

Finally, the Line Producer is like the COO of a major corporation. He/she is responsible for the day-to-day management of the production, controlling the schedule and budget, approving all the days, making all the tough decisions. A Line Producer is a manager of other people's expectations, to quote a colleague of mine.

Phil

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Alright now that makes more since.....I think the one I am more geared to in the Line Producer. What classes do you think I should take and what is the next step that I should take in order to reach this goal of become a line producer? Thanks a lot I really appreciate it!

Answer
Max,

You should study the physical production of a film. Take classes in film scheduling and film budgeting. Get to understand the IATSE, DGA, SAG, WGA, and AFTRA union regulations inside and out. Read Ralph Singleton's books FILM SCHEDULING and FILM BUDGETING. Become as conversant with the EP Budgeting and EP Scheduling software programs as you can as they are the industry standard.

Then to gain set experience, go to work as either an assistant to a Line Producer or a Key Set PA. Work your way up the ladder on the set starting as a 2nd 2nd Assistant Director, then to 2nd Asst Dir, then to 1st Asst Dir, then to UPM then to Line Producer.

Read the section on getting into the DGA in my book GET A REEL JOB.

Hope this helps. Good luck!

Phil