One of Wilson's keys to success was his commitment. Once he decided
he wanted to be a producer, he refused to accept any work as a PA or
coordinator and closed his craft services company. "It was very difficult
financially because through the craft services company, I was making
$10,000 to $15,000 a month. It allowed me to finance the production
company. It was difficult because it meant I had to stand only on my
ability to produce and land jobs. But at some point you have to jump off
and say, `I'm a producer.' This is what I am, period."
Job Overview
The producer manages the total project, balancing the client's needs
and the director's vision. Responsible for devising a financial plan and
ensuring that the production is completed on time and within the speci-
fied budget, the producer is involved in casting, hiring the crew, oversee-
ing postproduction and all other mechanics of the project.
Special Skills
A commercial producer must be organized, possess the ability to
devise a realistic budget, and bring the production in within cost, have
an overall understanding of the filmmaking process, and have contacts
within the industry. "The more educated you are and the more knowl-
edge you have, the more you bring to the profession," says producer
Jane Raimondi. "There are many people that have a wide variety of
majors and backgrounds: English, math, engineering, or history. All of
those things lend themselves to the film industry. You don't have to have
a film education, but an education, in itself, is really valuable."
Advice for Someone Seeking This Job
"Everybody shares the commonality of being a production assistant,"
says Raimondi. "Most people I talk to who are assistant directors or pro-
ducers, directors, gaffers, key grips, people in really good positions,
started out as PAs. There is nothing wrong with that. Take a starting
position, get your foot in the door, and then you can prove yourself and
move up. You will move up if you prove yourself. The good are sepa-
rated from the bad pretty easily . . . The main thing is just love it with
such a passion that you're willing to do anything to get started; dive in
and go for it. Call on people. Be persistent. We get résumés every day of
JOB TITLE: PRODUCER--COMMERICALS
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