Career Snapshot: Become a Television Producer

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Television Producer: Darren Woolsey

Darren Woolsey is a professional television producer. Although he's only been in his current job for 2 years, he has nearly 8 years experience working in the entertainment industry. Read on for a description of the television producer job in his own words.

What is your current project?

I work on a prominent reality show—I can't disclose the name of the show for legal reasons—helping to direct cameramen on location, and then producing segments of the show in postproduction in Los Angeles.

What was your career path to becoming a television producer?

I graduated with a degree in media production and then moved to Los Angeles. After a few months, I got a job working for a production company as a PA (Production Assistant). I continued to climb the ladder from there.

What skills does someone need to do a television producer job?

You need to have good people skills, be able to multitask and, perhaps most important, be a good storyteller.

What is a typical workday like for you?

On location, I'm usually up by 6:30 a.m. for a meeting about the day's shoots. Then, it's back and forth to various locations for those shoots. I'll then return to the office to watch the dailies (what was shot that day) and hopefully get to bed before midnight.

In Los Angeles, the pace is slightly less arduous. I go between an office and edit bays for 10 hours. I get most weekends off in postproduction, so that's where it's a bit easier.

What's the best part of a television producer job?

I get to go to some pretty cool places around the world, so that's a good perk. It's also a job in which I can be creative. And working with other creative people always keeps you on your toes.

What's the most challenging part of your job?

Trying to tell a specific story that may not always have been captured by the cameras. Telling a good story is not always easy, and when you don't have certain elements to support a story, it makes it even harder. Especially when you have a limited amount of time to tell the story. I like making it all work.

Do you have any advice for a student who wants to become a television producer?

Don't come into the business with a sense of entitlement. If you keep your eyes and ears open, you'll learn from people with tangible experience, which is going to make you that much better in the long run.

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