Special Skills
A basic knowledge of filmmaking and the ability to hire and work
with directors appropriate for each job. Wilson also considers persever-
ance to be an important trait for a potential producer: "Always believing
in what you can do and sticking to it."
Advice for Someone Seeking This Job
"If you want to be a producer you should probably go to film school,"
says Wilson, "but you don't necessarily have to graduate. Just get the
basics down, and find work as a PA or an assistant from the day you
enter film school. You should work for free if you have to and do any-
thing you can to work on a production. If somebody says they have a
spec job--a free job--just do it; anything you can to get experience. If you
want to be a producer, start as a PA, become a coordinator, a production
manager, and a producer. Work your [butt] off and push constantly. Ask
for opportunities and don't be afraid to take any offer that comes."
Professional Profile: Stuart Wilson, Executive Producer
and Owner of Right Brain Films
You might say that Stuart Wilson got into the television commercial
business because Harvey Weinstein was always late ordering dinner.
Wilson was injured on the job while working as a terminal superinten-
dent for an oil company. While he recuperated, he tried to decide upon a
new career while managing a nonprofit beach and tennis club on
Martha's Vineyard where Weinstein was a member.
"You had to call in your
dinner order by a certain time
so the chef could go shopping.
Harvey always called in late,
so I would have to go to the
chef." The two became friendly
and Weinstein suggested
Wilson should look into televi-
sion or film. Subsequently, he
introduced him to a few people
after Wilson relocated to Los
Angeles.
His first industry job was as
an assistant to a producer of
reality programming, eventu-
ally developing and working
What do you like
least about your job?
"What I like least is man-
aging the company; the
day-to-day business oper-
ations."–Stuart Wilson
What do you love most
about your job?
"What I like most is that I have the freedom
to pursue projects that I want to do. I also
like developing and working with the direc-
tors, and having input creatively into how
they approach each project."–Stuart Wilson
VOICES OF
EXPERIENCE
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