Television/Film Producer Job Skills List and Examples

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Updated on 12/10/20

Television and film producers are the unsung heroes of movies, TV programs, theatre, commercials, and other performing arts productions.

Some of the tasks producers may handle include managing schedules, coordinating locations, overseeing script rewrites, and arranging financing.

Television / Film Producers Job Responsibilities

Film and television producers and directors create movies, television shows, live theater, commercials, and other performing arts productions. Producers are responsible for making business and financial decisions, including raising money for the project and hiring the director and crew. Producers also set the budget and approve any significant changes to the project.

There are many different potential responsibilities that can be part of the producer role. If there's a problem to solve or a question to answer, producers take the lead.

Job Outlook for Television / Film Producers

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics,159,000 people were employed as producers and directors in 2019; their median annual wage was $74,420. Career opportunities in this field are anticipated to grow by 10% by 2029.

Top Producer Skills

Here is a list of the five primary skillsets producers need to have, as well as examples of related skills used by successful producers.

Organization / Scheduling

Consider the number of people involved in a film-based project. From script doctors to storyboard artists to actors to craft services to editors—the staff required is huge.

Producers are often responsible for hiring. Subsequently, producers need to keep both staffers and the project on track. They create schedules and share information, so everyone knows where they need to be and what they need to do. Organization is vital to this role. Come prepared to interviews with examples of times you've created schedules and kept projects on deadline.

Analytical Skills
Assigning Tasks
Delegating
Flexibility
Planning
Prioritizing
Time Management
Working in Fast-Paced Environment

Budgeting

Once financing is arranged, producers need to ensure that the movie or TV show stays within its budget. Producers help set a budget for every department and then track spending as well. If you're applying for a job, mention the size of a budget you've managed, as well as describing how you successfully dealt with and resolved any budget-related problems.

Critical Thinking
Decision Making
Detail Orientation
Estimating Costs
Maintaining Relationships with Vendors
Securing Financing

Problem Solving

Unexpected problems are common during filming (as well as during the planning stages and post-production). Maybe an actor gets injured, or a location turns out not to work. The script may need unexpected rewrites, or there could even be a transportation strike in the city during filming.

Producers are responsible for removing roadblocks and coming up with new plans that get around problems.

When people have questions or concerns, producers have answers. In interviews, provide clear examples of your problem-solving abilities.

Aesthetic Judgement
Creativity
Leadership
Mentoring
Research
Reviewing Modifications to Screenplays
Working Under Pressure

Multitasking

Because producers wear so many hats and are responsible for many varied aspects of a production, multitasking is an essential skill. A producer may be working on the budget in the morning, then scheduling auditions in the afternoon. Being able to easily juggle many responsibilities, and switch from one task to another, is essential.

Appraising Talent
Closing Deals
Evaluating Screenplays or Scripts
Generating Story Ideas
Managing Teams
Project Management
Recruiting Talent
Securing Rights to Intellectual Property
Selecting Stories
Supervisory Skills
Teamwork

Communication

Producers need to have strong written and verbal communication skills. In your job application, you should talk about your communication style. Share examples of how you've shared information and handled communication break-downs.

Assertiveness
Coaching
Collaboration
Editing
Explaining
Interpersonal Skills
Interviewing
Listening
Motivating Others
Negotiating
Networking
Pitching Concepts to Prospects
Presenting
Social Media
Verbal Communications
Writing

How to Make Your Skills Stand Out

Use Keywords in Your Resume The most important place to incorporate these skill words is in your resume. Try to employ some of these keywords both in your initial summary of qualifications and in the work history section of your resume.

Add Examples to Your Cover Letter You can also use these phrases in your cover letter, mentioning one or two of these skills in the body of the letter. Be sure to provide specific examples of times when you demonstrated these skills at work, as well. If there are specific skills mentioned in the job posting, make a point of echoing and highlighting these in your letter.

Share Your Skills During Job Interviews A third opportunity to mention these skill words is in your job interviews. Make sure you have at least one example of a time you used each of the top five skillsets listed here to share with employers.

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