Have you ever watched a film?
Duh! Of course, you have! Any individual in any part of the world is not isolated from the cinematic experience that films offer. But have you ever wondered how a film gets money to do those extravagant things?
I have always thought about that and wondered if I will ever have so much money to just go on a road trip without planning or having a destination wedding.
Anyway, ignoring my overthinking self, answering the question of how a film/tv/ads get money is that they have an individual for this job. They are called the producers who get or provide the funding for the film. There is also so much more to their role. Read further to know about what they do, how to become a producer, the education and skills required, and much more!
Who is a Producer?
A producer is a person who manages the making of movies/TV or commercials. Producers plan and organize many aspects of filmmaking, such as choosing the script, coordinating writing, directing, editing, and securing funding, whether they are employed by a production company or working on their own.
Learn more: How to become a Film Director – A complete educational guide
How to become a Producer? [4 Step Guide]
Step 1: Stream Selection
The specialized training to become a Producer is usually imparted in undergraduate degree programs. Therefore post 10th grade, you can pursue any stream that you like. One of the unsolicited pieces of advice here would be to either choose subjects you like studying or take up Humanities as it will expand your way of thinking
Step 2: Certificate Course and Project Courses
If you’re not sure about a career as a producer, you may test-drive it by enrolling in a variety of online courses, which are typically affordable and time-efficient. You can enrol in them after receiving your 10th grade because there is no eligibility requirement for them.
Certificate Courses | Institute offering the course | Duration |
Write a feature-length screenplay for films and TV | Michigan State University | 3-6 Months |
Getting your film off the ground | Michigan State University | 1-3 months |
Producing for film and TV – Master Course | Film Skills | 15 hours |
Film Production Online Certificate Course | Vancouver Film School | 8 Weeks |
Become a Film Producer | LinkedIn Learning | 17 hours 42 mins |
Make a Short film: Start to finish | LinkedIn Learning | 4 hours 52 mins |
Step 3: Educational Qualification
How to become a Producer after the 12th?
A) Undergraduate/ Diploma Courses in India
There are certain undergraduate courses that you can pursue to become a producer.
Undergraduate Course | Duration |
B.A. in Journalism and Mass Communication (Film Making) | 3 Year |
B.A. in Film Production | 3 Years |
B.A.(Hons.) in Film Making (Cinematography) | 3 Years |
B.A. in Film Making and Mass Communication | 3 Years |
B.A. in Multimedia (Film Production and Management) | 3 Years |
BMM (Bachelor of Mass Media) | 3 Years |
The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Filmmaking | 3 Years |
BSc in Film Making | 3 Years |
There are also certain diploma/ certificate courses that you can pursue if you don’t want a conventional path to your career. These courses are designed in such a way that you specialize in a particular field of your interest. Some of them that you want to check out include:
Diploma/ Certificate Courses | Institute offering the course | Duration |
Certificate Course in Film & Video Editing | Alagappa University | 6 Months |
Certificate in Photography and Videography | Pondicherry University | 6 Months |
Certificate in Acting and Direction | Punjabi University | 3 Months |
Certificate in Digital Film Making | Amity University | 1 Year |
Diploma in Screen Writing | Whistling Woods | 1 Year |
Diploma in Video Production & Editing | Pondicherry University | 1 Year |
Diploma in TV Production & Basics in Film Making | Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University | 1 Year |
B) Top Colleges in India:
- Whistling Woods International
- Symbiosis School of Visual Arts and Photography, Pune
- Amity University, Mumbai
- SHUATS – the Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology, and Sciences, Allahabad
- Global Indian Institute of Filmmaking, Mumbai
- VELS Institute of Science, Technology and Advanced Studies, Chennai
- University of Mumbai [MU], Mumbai
- MIT School of Film and Television, Pune
- Ramesh Sippy Academy of Cinema and Entertainment, Mumbai.
A) Undergraduate/ Diploma Course abroad to become a Producer
There are several courses abroad in film production/filmmaking that you can pursue. Some of them include:
Undergraduate Course | Estimated Duration |
BA (Hons) in Film and Television Production | 36 Months |
Film (Film and Media Production), BA | 48 Months |
BA in Cinema & Media Studies | 48 Months |
Film Production BA (Hons) | 36 Months |
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Film & Television | 48 Months |
BFA in Image Arts: Film Studies | 48 Months |
You can even pursue some diploma courses if you don’t want to invest so much time and money in such courses. Some of them that you might want to check out include:
Diploma Course | Institute offering the course | Duration |
Advanced Diploma in Broadcasting – Film, Television, Digital Media, and Radio | Centennial College | 36 Months |
Diploma in Broadcasting – Television and Video Production | Canadore College | 24 Months |
Diploma in Indigenous Filmmaking | Capilano University | 24 Months |
Diploma in Film & Television Production | Trebas Institute | 12 Months |
Diploma in Digital Film and Video | LaSalle College- Vancouver | 18 Months |
Want to boost your chances of getting admission abroad? Sign up for the Clever Harvey JuniorMBA Advertising Course and add a real industry project to your student portfolio.
B) Top Colleges abroad
- Teesside University
- Arizona State University
- York University
- Coventry University
- New York University
- Ryerson University
- The University of Sydney
- McMaster University
Also read: How To Become A Film Critic? Detailed Guide
Step 4: Job Preparation required for becoming a Producer
Your title of “Producer,” may come to you in your early years or it might take you to work in a few production houses before you start as a producer. Whatever the case, you can take into account a few preparation recommendations while you are looking out for your first gig:
- Get Internships:
Internships with film production businesses can be beneficial in terms of experience and industry knowledge. Interns have the opportunity to network and learn about the inner workings of production, distribution, and publicity.
- Gain some industry experience:
Gaining employment as a movie producer requires experience. Working one to five years in the sector constitutes experience.
Producers can have a variety of backgrounds, including performing, working in PR, writing for the film, or casting. Many producers gain essential expertise by working as production assistants or in other entry-level positions when they first enter the field.
Focus on building a reputation and making a good first impression while working in an entry-level position. It may aid in job advancement.
- Be up-to-date with industry trends:
Another crucial stage of being a movie producer is remaining updated with current business trends. You can hone your abilities by going to events like seminars and film festivals. A producer’s understanding of their audience can be improved by keeping up with current trends, ultimately helping them pick the right film that suits their audience.
Skills required to be a Producer
- Planning
- Organizing
- Scheduling
- Leadership
- Financial budgeting
- Creativity
- Networking
- Delegating
- Time management
- Flexibility
Salary of a Producer
Salary in India for a Producer
The salary of a Producer depends a lot on what kind of film they are producing, who are the actors, how much the film did at the box office, what kind of producer you are, the platform where the film is being released- OTT or Theatre and much more. However, according to glassdoor, the national average salary of a producer is 9,21,833 INR/Year.
Salary Abroad for a Producer
The scenario abroad remains the same. However, a general overview of how much a producer earns depending on various film industries are given below:
Country | USA | UK | Canada | Australia | Spain | France |
Average Salary/ year | $83,194 | £39,918 | $74,428 | $78,162 | €46,293 | €41,988 |
Read more: How to become a Music Director
Top Recruiters in India
- Viacom 18
- Times Internet
- Zee Entertainment Enterprise ltd.
- Disney + Hotstar
- Network 18
- Sony Pictures Networks
- Hindustan Times
- Pocket Aces
- Radio Mirchi
- Walt Disney Company
Top Recruiters Abroad
- NBC Universal
- CNN
- Universal Pictures
- Warner Bros
- Paramount
- Nexstar Media Group
- BBC Studios
- Rogers Communications
- Marvel Studios
Being a Producer is not an easy task. They typically work under a lot of pressure to complete their work on time. Their tasks could be brief and last anything from a day to several months. They frequently travel to several locations depending on where the production is taking place while working in a fast-paced setting. Thus, if you are keen on becoming a producer, be warned that it requires a lot of hard work.
FAQs about how to become a Producer
How do you become a producer?
To properly manage a creative project, a producer needs at least a bachelor’s degree in a related field. Most producers have degrees in acting or film. Degrees in business and in journalism or communication are related to producing.
How do producers earn money?
Producers receive 50% of any movie’s box office revenue. The sale of the satellite and digital rights to a network covers the majority of costs. Prior to a movie’s release, the price of these rights is decided and is based on the film’s budget and star power.
What does a producer do?
The producer is in charge of everything, from securing funding to promoting the movie. In all matters and plans pertaining to the film’s production, he has the last say. He is in charge of overseeing the technical and creative resources.
Is it challenging to work in the film industry as a producer?
It is both tremendously simple and incredibly difficult to become a movie producer. Without any formal schooling, anyone can claim to be a movie producer, but only those who are successful can have their name listed as a producer on a film credit next to the title.
Are producers employed by studios?
Young filmmakers have the option of working with studios or independently as independent producers. There are a lot of large production businesses as well as a tonne of independent production companies.
What three categories of producers are there?
The following are examples of the various industries in which a producer could work: Executive producer, Associate Producer, and Producer.