How to Establish a Good Rapport with Your Television Executive Producer

Establishing a good rapport with your executive producer is a great way to stay connected in the television industry. Here are six steps to get you started.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

How to Establish a Good Rapport with Your Television Executive Producer

1. Strike up a conversation with your executive producer. Find out their general likes and dislikes. A lot of times, people are not forthcoming with personal information, so focus on topics like the weather then maybe ask, “The weather was great this weekend, did you do anything interesting?”
2. Keep a bright smile on your face. There is nothing wrong with being charismatic. The world of television is filled with miserable, unhappy people. Prove to your executive producer that you are not one of those people.
3. Get to know your television executive producer’s assistant. Assistants tend to be very close to their superiors.
4. Take advantage of every meeting that you can. If you are asked to get something signed by the executive producer, knock on their door and ask for their signature. This gives you the opportunity to compliment them on their style of dress or ask questions about the pictures they may have on their desks.
5. Compliment your television executive producer on a job well done, especially if one of your shows had extremely high ratings. This will prove that you are concerned about the overall integrity of the show. This also shows that you are a team player.
6. Do your job well! The best thing about being a dedicated and effective employee is that your work will speak for itself. Stay late if you have to. Come in early if need be. There is nothing like an executive seeing you in your office, before they get in to theirs!

Tips & Warnings

• Never miss an opportunity to shine. If you have done your research and feel that you can contribute more to your television show than you have, step up and say so. Offer your creative services, whenever you can.
• Do not become a pest! There is a fine line between brown-nosing and pestering. Know your limitations. It is perfectly fine to say, “Hello,” but don’t invite yourself into an executive’s office and take a seat.
• Do not overstep your bounds! If you see your executive producer speaking with someone, do not bother them. Never interrupt their conversations.