How to Get a TV Production Job
TV production jobs are highly competitive but definitely not impossible to get. The key to getting a TV production job is to dream big but aim low. Your first job most likely will be at a small TV station or a local production company. Pay will be based on the market size, and unless you are able to get a large-market job, it will be low. Experience is often more important than education in production work, so get experience where you can and increase your odds of landing a TV production job.
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Instructions
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Research production jobs. The term "production" covers many TV jobs, such as lighting, sound, graphics, studio camera operator, field camera operator, video tape operator, editor and teleprompter operator. Find out as much as you can about different production jobs and figure out which one you would most enjoy doing.
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Assess your short- and long-term goals. If you want to get a production assistant job, but one day you would like to work in programming, you'll need to get a degree in communications or a related field. If you want to be a news-camera operator, education is not as important to some hiring managers. Assess where you want to be in the future to decide whether you need to get an education first or whether you are ready to start your career today.
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Get experience. If you are in college, get a position on the campus news show and ask your professors about internships. If you are heading straight into the production field, volunteer at the local TV station or a production company. If possible, get a paid position.
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Prepare a resume DVD. When you have a good show, edit a perfect clip or do exceptional camera work, record it on a DVD. Collect as many samples of your work as possible and then prepare a DVD of your best work. It's likely that only the first 30 seconds of your tape will be viewed, so make the first 30 seconds your best work. Don't try to be too creative with your resume tape. If you are applying for a news production job, include clips of news stories. If you are applying for a commercial production job, include clips of commercials. Tailor your resume DVD for the job for which you are applying. Don't expect to get your resume DVD back unless you send a self-addressed, stamped envelope.
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Search production companies and TV stations in your area. Search the web or look in the yellow pages under commercial production, television stations or television production. Research the stations and companies to decide whether you might be interested in working for them. Make a list of places you are interested in working.
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Search for jobs online. The best source is the actual company's or station's website. Many will have an employment opportunities page. Another option is online TV production job databases. Some require a subscription to get the full service, but there are some good free sites, too.
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Send your resume DVD to any companies or stations for which you are interested in working. You do not have to wait for an actual advertised job. When you do find jobs advertised, follow the directions for applying. Make sure your DVD is labeled with your name, address and telephone number.
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Prepare for interviews. Research the station or production company at which you are interviewing. Know the market size and the audience demographics if you are interviewing for a TV station. Know the station's reporting style and find a way to show that you are a good fit for the station. If you are applying at a production company, know their clients and their work. Production companies routinely place their work and list their credits on their websites.
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Be open to a variety of production jobs. Don't dismiss a news production job opportunity because you would rather work in a more creative field or vice versa. Production experience is valuable regardless of where you get it. Most TV stations have a commercial production department and hire from within. It's important to show that you are eager to learn and to be professional. Do that, and you will end up in exactly the job you want.
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References
- Photo Credit tv nyc image by The Russian Negresco from Fotolia.com
