21 Things You Learn Working In TV Production

    It's not as glamorous as you'd think.

    Amy Pay
    by Amy Pay

    BuzzFeed Contributor

    1. Most people don't understand what a producer actually does.

    Comedy Central

    "So, you're the person at the end of the credits who's not the director?"

    2. The truth is, a producer does EVERYTHING.

    Viacom International / Nickelodeon / BuzzFeed

    From planning show content, coordinating schedules, stepping in to interview people, prepping guests, organising on-screen staff, carrying kit, sorting out public liability insurance, and whatever else falls between.

    3. Most of these skills don't get taught to us in journo school.

    20th Television

    So we've got to learn new talents pretty damn quickly while also being a multitasking whizz.

    4. It's a huge help if we're good at talking to everyone, even better at listening, and shit hot at getting a vibe off people quickly.

    20th Television

    5. We have to get used to having several meetings a day.

    Bravo

    We plan as much as possible, all the while being fully aware that things will probably have to change last minute.

    6. We often find ourselves breaking down all time into units because we're glued to rundowns.

    7. We do a lot of walking on the job.

    Paramount Pictures

    You have to be in good shape to keep up with all the running between locations, speaking to colleagues, and sourcing supplies – all usually done while juggling emails and phone calls.

    8. Everything becomes a potential source for a story, plot line, or location.

    9. We learn everything about the on-screen regulars.

    HBO

    From their schedule, their likes and dislikes, how they look when they're happy, and especially how they look when they're pissed off.

    10. Our typical meals aren't as glamorous as our on-screen coworkers'.

    commons.wikimedia.org

    While on-screen talent hit fad diets and gross detox juices, the off-screen team's food mainly consists of caffeine, quick meals, and nasty Prosecco at press launches.

    11. We often have to improvise at locations.

    imgur.com

    Most locations don't have an elaborate make-up studio or cupboards of glamorous free outfits, so the toilet becomes a makeshift salon before recording.

    12. If shit hits the fan, we have to be there.

    20th Century Fox

    It doesn't matter if it's your best friend's baby shower that day or you have killer flu.

    13. Things are rarely broadcast true to life.

    New Line Cinema

    Whatever the programme, things get cut out, rearranged, or re-recorded all the time.

    14. Recording with animals really is hard work.

    15. Being a drama queen gets you nowhere.

    Passion Distribution

    It just puts people off working with you again.

    16. There's little time to relax as a producer.

    Twitter: @Channel_Mike

    17. We often get the blame when the on-screen talent messes up.

    Universal Pictures

    Meanwhile they often get praised for something that we made happen.

    18. A lot of producers are freelancers, so we basically live on a student budget.

    Twitter: @1followernodad

    But without as much of the discounted booze.

    19. You end up working with so many weird and wonderful people who know all sorts of strange stuff.

    20. If you spot another camera crew, a satellite truck, or someone rigging up a location during your downtime, you can't just walk past.

    Twitter: @LynsFrostee

    21. Every day at work is completely different to the next, and that's amazing.

    NBCUniversal

    Note: This post is based on one person’s experience of working in the industry.