Careers in Television and Video: Producing a Video Project and Script Development

Although producing an entire project is beyond any entry-level position in a film, television or video career, in this segment we will concentrate on producing a small budget (if any) project. In terms of a local market, these projects would be safety, corporate, instructional, informative and promotional productions of more than three minutes in length. Let us imagine that you are the manager of a public information department wanting to produce an informational video, highlighting what the corporation does. You are given a small limited budget to complete the project, as usual. After researching prices of local video production companies, it becomes apparent it would be too expensive to pay them to fully produce the video. This will require a more hands-on approach on your part to stay within your budget.

You decide to use the in-house A/V department to keep costs down, and you will also direct the actual taping. The undertakings and responsibilities of a producer will vary, depending on the project. The producer is the person that makes it happen. They usually conceptualize the idea, and manage the project from inception to finished product. Sometimes grants are available for additional funding, which means a producer may have to write several grant proposals, or hire a grant writer. For this project, you only have your limited budget to work with, oh well. Depending on their resources and how much time the producer has to devote to the project, they may delegate tasks like script writing, obtaining talent releases, music rights, etc. to others. Sometimes a producer has to roll up their sleeves and do everything themselves, a notable requirement in your case. Having fun so far? Here are some tips to help make it easier on you, keep costs to a minimum, and stay within your budget.