Field producers manage the production of material outside the studio, coordinating stories and liaising between the studio, crew, and subjects. They determine equipment needs, hire personnel, and conduct interviews, requiring quick thinking and problem-solving skills.
A field producer is a member of a film and television production team responsible for managing the production of material in the field. Field producers coordinate stories filmed outside the studio. They usually work in areas of production such as documentaries, reporting and reality television. These crew members have extensive training to be ready to handle a variety of situations. Some are graduates of film and television production programs at colleges and universities, while others learn on the job, serving in various positions on film crews to familiarize themselves with different aspects of production.
An important aspect of a field producer’s role is to act as coordinator and liaison between people in the studio, the field crew and the subjects or actors. Coordination involves everything from arranging filming locations to edgy interview subjects. Depending on the nature of the production, the field producer may write and film the story, or may work with another producer to bring that producer’s written story to life.
These professionals determine equipment needs, hire and manage field personnel, and oversee the packing of production vehicles to ensure that everything needed is accomplished in the field. They work with people like scouts to select suitable locations for filming. This production crew member may be responsible for lining up people to shoot, obtaining permits, and organizing food and lodging for the film crew. Other special needs must also be met by the field producer.
Field producers can conduct interviews as well as coach the subjects so they are comfortable on camera. The field producer can provide tips and tricks that will make the subject livelier in the movie. Subjects can also be trained to avoid rambling, repetition, or other problems that can ruin an interview. Similar organization is needed for animal affairs. The field producer must find animals and handlers, organize health and safety safeguards, and attend to needs such as using special lighting or camera techniques to avoid disturbing the animals.
It is important to be able to think quickly in this job position. Things can go wrong quickly on filming. A resourceful field producer can anticipate some problems and act to resolve others quickly so that time is not wasted. Time is money in field production, and a producer who can consistently keep productions on budget or under budget is more likely to be hired again.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
