5 Tips for Becoming a Successful Movie Producer
Few careers come with as much glitz and glamour as that of the movie producer. Of course, much of this happens behind the scenes. Not all movie producers are what might be referred to as household names, but plenty of them have enjoyed long and storied careers, and have helped to create some of the most incredible and well-known films that the world has ever seen. If you’re thinking you want to get into the movie industry, there are a lot of ways that you can go about doing it. Few jobs have as much to do with the important parts of creating a film, however, as the producer’s.
When you’re the producer of a movie, you get creative control in a lot of ways. In fact, most of the time the producer is very closely connected with the financial backer of the film, which results in a larger degree of creative control than most people realize. Working as a film producer is a great way to leave your mark on the industry. It’s a very tough job, though, and if you’re thinking about giving it a shot you’re going to want to be prepared. With these tips in mind, you’ll be that much closer to starting your career as a successful movie producer.
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1. Know the Industry
Make sure you immerse yourself into the film industry as much as possible. It can be very complicated, and is very much a world all of its own. You should make sure that you’re plugging yourself into the film industry in every way possible — read blogs, subscribe to magazine, and visit events as often as you can. This way, you’ll be able to start meeting people and making connections that will hopefully help you down the line in a serious way.
2. Network with Investors
Networking is a huge part of getting movies made, and if you’re not a wealthy individual yourself, you’re going to need a lot of help in the way of investors when it comes to actually getting those movies produced. One of the biggest jobs that a producer faces is securing the financial backing for a film. This means you’re going to want to make sure you know a lot of investors who trust your vision and respect your judgement.
3. Start Your Studio (or Find a Job at One)
If you’re looking to seriously make your mark on Hollywood, you’ll want to start your own production studio. You can begin on a smaller scale and eventually expand your operation. You can also simply get a job at an existing studio and begin working on your producing career that way. Either way, a studio is the place to start.
4. Understand Storytelling
The producers of the best movies have always had something of an impact upon the films they’re producing. As a producer, you get to have a lot of influence over the films that you’re producing. It’s going to help if you can have a good understanding of things like storytelling and what makes a good movie work.
5. Be Prepared to Work A LOT
Film producers have incredibly tough jobs. You will almost definitely work more than 40 hours per week, and will almost never be only working during normal office hours. If this is OK with you, however, a job as a movie producer might wind up being a great line of work.
