Wow, great questions guys! It was really cool reading all of your posts and responses and I can tell that you all already know a lot about making media. So the role of a producer was a common question in your posts. It actually totally depends on the show. For instance in a show like Scrubs, which Isilay really likes, a producer would deal mostly with the business side of things like putting together financing, interfacing with the network, hiring other production positions, and managing the project. Usually specific people, like writers, directors, editors, and camera people, deal with the creative stuff. That’s not to say that producers don’t take part in the creative process on fiction, but usually their emphasis is on business.
In non-fiction, like documentaries and news, the producer usually has more of an active role in creating what happens on screen. For instance a field producer in non-fiction (which is what I am) is sort of a combination of a director and a news reporter. So I’ll manage the crew, direct shots, interview subjects, and keep everything going on time. I am primarily out in the field (hence the clever title) while the executive producer—my boss—manages the project from a home office. Tori asked what my favorite part of producing is. This is always a tough question because really I like almost everything. It’s a really fun variety of experiences and it is pretty cool to get to see so much of the world. On this show, I’ll also be writing portions of the program, which is also really fun. But it can also be tough on the body and soul because the work is intense and exhausting and there’s a lot of pressure to succeed.
That’s a really good question Greg about the impact of the climate. Yesterday we were at the Palmer airport north of Anchorage shooting bush planes and it was 20 below zero! Its actually quite dangerous—you can get frostbite just by having your skin exposed to the air. So to answer your question Greg: no, those kinds of discomforts definitely don’t disappear! The mechanics and other folks who work up here in those conditions are really quite amazing. Anyway, everyone had really great questions and those who I didn’t get to today I’ll try to get to in a future entry. In the meantime definitely keep the responses coming. With the projects that you guys have done, what has been your favorite part? The filming? The writing? The editing? What is your least favorite part of making media? A couple people asked about how I became a producer. I'll write about that tomorrow. Can't wait to hear from you!
19 comments:
In the projects we've done my favorite part is the off-scene filming, with all the bloopers and what people do before we start recording on camera. We were watching some of our films yesterday and the stuff we say and do come out to be really funny at times. My least favorite part is probably the writing, because it takes time and effort to figure out what to write about, to make scripts, and then to put it all together to be ready to film. Besides the writing I find everything else such as the editing to be fun, because you get to see what you did wrong, what you did right, what could've been fixed, what's funny, etc.
Hey Joe ! I'm glad to hear that filming in Alaska so far is good. My favorite part in all the projects that is filming. I like being in control of what's being put on camera and being on camera! My least favorite part is writing. I'm not as good as writing scripts then actually working with the cameras. What are you planning on filming next? Hope things aren't too chilly (:
My favorite part of media making has to be the filming. Thats always fun, and always different. My least favorite has to be the beginning of editing. I don't mind editing but getting all the footage onto the computer and laying everything down for a rough cut is always a pain. I think a dream of mine as whatever I am has to be the moment where I can finish a product, watch it, and still like it. Do you ever get that with episodes you film? I'm one of those people where if i watch, listen, or read something I've made I'll just be constantly pointing out in my head things I should've done.
For the projects we've done so far the filming was fun to do, even if you weren't the person the camera was filming everyone had to work together and got to try new things. We're just starting to edit the videos but so far we watched some of them and peoples bloopers. When we wrote the scrips it was hard at times because I didn't know if it was too long or too short or if it's the right information.
I think my favorite project that I have done so far in Ms. Ventura's class is filming in the studio. I like being on camera and also helping out with the studio. I work with the teleprompter and the camera. My least favorite part in the field of media I think is editing. It takes a long time to edit everything and make it perfect but in the end its always worth editing your video so you can feel good watching it and showing it to other people.
Eddie
Well, my favorite part of the projects we've been working on would have to be the filming. I enjoy being in front of the camera and then later seeing myself on the screen. What excites me the most is putting our work up on youtube.com, where others can see it as well.
My least favorite part of making media would be the editing because it takes a lot of patience and a lot of work and it's frustrating at times.
-Kosta
Hi Joe--
"My favorite & least favorite parts of the projects we have done"... A surprisingly difficult decision!
If I had to choose my favorite part, I would have to say the writing. When writing, one can really express the point they're trying to make much better than through extemporaneous speech. For me, I find it much better to be able to plan out what to say, and really spend some time finding the perfect words, rather than stand up and hope for the best.
I really don't have a least favorite part of production; When I'm on camera, I'm the center of attention. When I'm worn down from school and need a break, I can sit down and work the teleprompter. There is really no job on set that I wouldn't absolutely be disgusted with doing.
--Greg
PS - Thanks for your insightful responses to our questions!
With the projects we've done my favorite part was the filming because it was really fun being filmed and filming other people. And when they made a mistake it was always funny. We stopped and recored for a lot of people and one of them was me! I can get very nervous with the camera focused on me only but it's fun to watch yourself look like a fool afterward, embarrassing but fun!
What I liked least with the project was definitely the writing. Coming up with how to start it and end it is all very hard and plus I hate to write so writing wasn't all that fun for me. Well I'm glad your having fun in Alaska! Bye! =]
My favorite part was probably being behind the camera and filming , Ever since I was a little girl I've always loved being in front or behind cameras and its something I defiantly would like to continue doing in the future. And for my least favorite part it would have to be nothing I honestly enjoy learning everything and building skills everyday with Ms.v
-Molly
Hey Joe, this is the first time I'm talking to you, but in media class, we have done a few projects - made our own radio shows, recorded news and stuff, but my favorite would have to be filming. I like being in the studio, and watching the person on camera, or talking to the cameraman through headphones. My least favorite part was trying to make it sound interesting - the information that I had to summarize was all physics, and it wasn't like I could add in random information. I tried making it sound good, but apparently it was really boring - sorry guys! Editing isn't very easy either.
- Ani
In all of the projects that we've done so far, filming is my favorite part. Everything is a little more hands on while filming and that makes you feel like you're in control. My least favorite part is writing the scripts. I've never really enjoyed writing and for me it gets a little tedious, but once done, your project can progress. Other than writing, all other aspects of media are fun such as editing because you can just erase mistakes. Have fun in Alaska!
-Emily
Well in the projects that we've done so far, my favorite part is filming in the studio. Yesterday we were watching some of what was recorded before we were actually doing our section, and it was really funny! I liked seeing the comments people were making. Also I think it is really funny when you see the body language of the person being filmed. For example you would see people playing with their fingers, moving the chair, and different facial expressions which were really funny. My least favorite part is probably the editing. It is the most boring thing to do, just sit there and piece together what you had recorded. Overall the best part of filming is definitely being in the studio and working the camera and stuff like that.
- Carolyn
In the projects we have done so far, my favorite part is filming. Well, editing is not bad either, but I don't prefer writing. I guess its because you have to use your brain.
I liked being a camera man. You feel like everything depends on you... and its fun!
Chris
With all the projects we had the TV one has been my favorite one so far. I thought that was the best one because we got to film other people with the cameras. It was a good way to learn how to use cameras for the future. My least favorite thing is writing and editing. I think those are my two least favorite things because I'm not very good at writing then going back and fixing everything is not very fun. Also good writing takes a lot of good effort!
-Courtney
I enjoy the filming aspect of our projects because it excites me knowing that a huge aspect of the projects success rests on my shoulders. I enjoy writing as well, mainly because it allows a lot of control over the fate of characters and how the viewer perceives your story and opinions. I don't really like editing because it feels so tedious. After a long period of filming and writing and shooting it feels like too much. My question to you is this, now that your in Alaska do you wish you were somewhere else? Has your producing fervor resided? and finally, when you were a child was being a producer your dream?
-PJ
Wow Alaska sounds like a difficult place to shoot. I ski up in northern vermont and sometimes it gets down to negative twenty. I can't imagine filming in that weather! Good luck. Producing itself sounds like a lot of fun though. I can't wait to hear how you started.
My favorite project we've done so far is the one we're working on now, because we got to go in the studio. I really liked filming. I didn't like going on camera much, I felt uncomfortable and couldn't read the teleprompter well. I greatly prefer being behind the camera to it front of it. Writing something that sounded good was pretty difficult too. We haven't started editing, but i think I'll enjoy it.
~Ariana
I haven't had the opportunity to film yet but from what I know about the experience, it is very fun to do. Especially when what your filming is improv. and you get the chance to do things right on the spot much like in the show "Curb Your Enthusiasm." For me, the funnest part about the projects I've done has been the editing. Theres nothing better than being satisfied with your hard work editing while watching your finished product. I have one question for you and that is, as a producer, what exactly is your job on the film? As a producer, how do you differ from the director?
Anthony
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