1. Employment Profile: What exactly does a Writer/Director, Founding Partner do? |
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 What field is your job in?
Entertainment
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What is your job title?
Writer/Director, Founding Partner
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Please provide a brief description of the firm or organization that you currently work for
(size and general description of what type of organization it is)
I work for a firm that employs 49 people. We develop and produce new programming for television. We started with 3 partners who each had a background int the film and television industry. We wanted to try and do TV a differnt way. We decided to capitalize on the Reality trend and came up with shows that spun a classic idea with family values and \"heart\".
We do our best to nurture each other in an industry that can often be cold. We now help produce pilots that get sold to networks all over the world and we do it with integrity.
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How long have you been employed in this position?
10 years
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How many hours do you work a week on average?
40 to 60, depending on project or TV season
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Please provide a BRIEF description of your duties and responsibilities. (job description)
I, along with my collaborators, develop television shows for an international audience. We do this in one of three ways:
1. We develop our own projects in house, either with staff or with freelancers we bring in for a projsect we have created.
2. We purchase existing ideas from freelance artists and develop them on our own.
3. We are hired by a network to develop a show based on criteria thay set, due to a need or desire of the network.
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What was your gross income last year? Please include any bonuses or incentives received.
280000
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What is your expected gross income for this year? Please include any bonuses or incentives you expect to receive.
200000
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Please
list any benefits you have (Please include number of weeks vacation,
sick leave and type of health insurance, retirement plan 401k)
None,
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Do you feel you are under/well/over compensated at your current position?
Well compensated.
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2. Work environment! |
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Does
your job entail you working with others on a daily basis? Is this
something you like/dislike about your job? Explain
Yes, every day I work with creative and talented people. This is one of the best things about my job. For me, there is nothing like having a creative conversation with my peers. I love brainstorming and being able to create something out of nothing. I like sharing feelings and opinions with others. I like the idea of creatively plaing with my peers. It is also gratifying to help others with problems or situations they need help with. Creative collaboration is what I thrive on.
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Do you work collaboratively with supervisors/managers?
Yes
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Do you work collaboratively with your co-workers?
Yes
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Describe
your work location (e.g., office, home, theatre, in the field) and what
you like/dislike about working in it
It varies. Sometimes it is my hom eor in the homes of others. Somtimes it is in production offices on location where shooting occurs. If we are hired by a netwrk and they want us on site, that is where we go. When we are out in the field shooting, a set is often where we work. It all depends on the project. I like this because I don't get bored. The downside is that I am away from my family and can often get lonely!
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Please rank in order of importance from 1-8 (1- most important 8- least important) Assign each number once.
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2 Income
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3 Work Environment - co-workers
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4 Work Environment - supervisors
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8 Benefits
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5 Hours
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6 Level of responsibility
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1 The actual "work" you do at your job
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7 Job Title
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3. How should someone new to the workforce get a J-O-B like yours? |
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If someone wanted to go about getting a job similar to yours, what would you recommend for him or her to do?
You must be educated, you need to know exactly what you want to do. You must be persistent, there is a TON of rejection in this business. You must be creative and passionate about any project you bring to the. Study the media artform you want to break into. Then, create a project you are passionate about and can explainto others WHY you are passionate about it. Identify people that can help you create your vision and get it into the hands and hearts of those that can help you relaize it. Create a team of supporters who will help you network. Keep going, even when you feel you can't any longer. Call leaders in the field and ask to speak with them. Develop a powerful pitch and work until you find someone who will hear it. Enlist anyone you can to be on your team!
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What
skills do you think a person should have if they want to pursue a
position like yours? Please be specific and explain why (e.g., social
skills, organization skills, technical skills)
First, creativity! Passion! Drive! Ambition! Social skills that will allow you to network and express yourself appropriately and clearly. You must be able to clearly convey your vision to others. You must also be able to be flexible and roll woth the punches when things don't go your way. You must be able to adapt to new situation. You need to think on your feet and be cool under pressure. You must also be able to surround yourself with a strong group of supporters. You must be able to type! You need computer skills. You need to have a basic cultural background.
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Do you feel that you need a certain level of education or training to be successful in your job?
Yes. I think even if you don't have a college education you must be well read and informed about the world as well as a good judge of people. I have an MFA> it is useful, but not required.
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What advice would you give to someone who was about to start work in your position/ line of work?
Be passionate. BE patient. KNOW YOURSELF AND YOUR PRODCUT!!!! Make sure that whatever you are pitching, you love. BE friendly with everyone. Listen to what everyone has to say and consider it. Do not lose your inner voice. As everyone to help you. Work harder than you think you need to and then work even harder than that! Do not pass up an opportunity to tell people about your project and ask how they might help you. If you have no experience, take ANYTHING offered to you so you can learn, but get out before you are identified with a specfici job in the industry if that is not the title you want. Make creation your job and keep pushing your project no matter what menial day job you need to take to get on set or into a production office. Make sure to constantly polish your pitch or project. You never know when opportunity will knock. Be generous with your time and be gracious. Be humble and thank thos ethat help you. Don't lose sight of who you are and make sure to cultivate a support network you can rely on. Do not make enemies. Love yourself.
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