Hi! At its heart of AVS Screen Sdn Bhd, I am Karen Ang the project director of the company and I am  sharing some knowledge with the world.

The topic that you are about to read is WHAT DOES A VIDEO/ FILM PRODUCER DO? At this point, writing about this topic appears to be quite a vibrant untap topic other than all the digital marketing and e-commence tips that are hyped out in blogs and social. My followers are millennials, currently aged 20-35 (born between 1980 and the end of 1994 with some more generous definitions taking in those born up to 2000).They are called Generation Y, because they follow on from Generation X (born 1965-1979), and off course this article is also for the less flattering names who happens to be my corporate clients:)

The media has focused a lot on millennials in recent years, but it’s time to turn some of the attention to the millennials’ future co-workers within the digital industry.I must say I am genuinely giving my best in this topic, and hope my passion will shine through and keep you readers out there interested.

A video/film producer is a person who oversees video/film production. Either employed by a production company or working independently, producers plan and coordinate various aspects of video production, such as selecting the script; coordinating writing, directing, editing; and arranging financing. Some scripts are written and produced by the producer themselves too including directing if the capabilities have reached with a certain level of portfolio trained and groomed along the individuals course of work exposure.

A producer is the person responsible for making sure an appealing, high-quality video is produced on time and within budget. That means supervising and packaging the project from conception to distribution to TV/ YouTube/ Facebook /Instagram / social media platforms, right  up to the movie theatre if it is a movie the producer is contracted with.

The producer interfaces with the studio and managing the work of 5-10 member team for video production usually, and many other 3rd party individuals/talents. A movie producer may need to deal with hundreds and even thousands of other people. As you can see, producers do indeed have to wear many hats during video production. And more so if he/she is doing a movie production.

Starting at the beginning of the process, here are some of the main producer responsibilities:

Pre-Production

• Find material from a book or script.
• Get the script into good enough shape to attract a director (and studio, if this is not a studio-initiated production).
• Secure financing for the film, if it is not being made for a studio.
• Choose the director and other parts of the creative team.
• Cast the actors/actress , working with the director.
• Determine locations and budget.
• Decide on videography style and special effects.
• Hire a production team including crew and technical team.
• Develop a shooting schedule.
• Create a detailed plan of action for production.

Production

• Offer creative suggestions to the video/film director.
• Handle problems with actors or creative staff.
• Monitor production timetable and video/film budget.
• Review video/film dailies, the video/ film shot each day.

Post-Production

• Discuss order and selection of scenes with the director.
• Review the fine cut of the video/ film after it is edited.
• In some cases, polish, revise and restructure the video/ film to create the video/ final cut.
• Work with a social media partner to secure an effective social media campaign or work with a distributor film company for distribution of the film.
• Showing client/ distributor the final cut of the video/ film for approval before media placement or broadcast.
• Review the client’s / distributor’s advertising campaign for the video/ film.

You may be wondering where video /movie producers find the material or come up with a video/ film concept?? In some cases, actors, writers or editors approach producers with a completed script. In other cases, company or big corporations are presented with a storyboard and script for their buy in productions at a specific price for a specific purposed like producing corporate videos or short story for their digital marketing campaigns.

Coincidence or serendipity has led to successful movies. The animated feature “Bee Movie” (2007), for example, started with an offhand comment by comedian Jerry Seinfeld to producer Steven Spielberg during dinner. “Wouldn’t it be funny company they made a movie about Bees and called it ‘Bee Movie’?” Seinfeld mused. Spielberg liked the idea, and Seinfeld found himself with a deal and the need to write a movie to go with his title. That took two and a half years.

“Rocky” (1976) started with a casual comment from an actor. Producer Robert Chartoff arranged to meet Sylvester Stallone after seeing him act in the “The Lords of Flatbush.” Stallone mentioned that he had an idea for a script about a boxer and asked Chartoff if he would read it. Six weeks later, the actor brought in the first draft of the script for the film that earned him an Oscar nomination for best writing and was followed by five sequels.

Obviously there’s plenty to learn if you want to be a producer plus many bucks to make if you are dedicated to this role that takes your purpose and paycheck balance and a brilliant entertaining product to a huge audience!!