How well do you know TV production?

The Five Stages of TV Production

• TV production involves five stages: project development, preproduction, production, post-production, and wrap-up and distribution.
• In the project development stage, a producer originates or finds material, evaluates the project for initial costs and likely markets, develops a proposal and story synopsis, and pitches the project to secure financing.
• The preproduction stage involves breaking down a script or treatment, consulting with the director and other key personnel, hiring essential crew members, negotiating with unions, and preparing contracts and deal memos.
• During the shooting stage, the producer is generally on set or available on call at all times, consults with the writer(s) and supervises any changes, works closely with the line producer and production designer, and screens the dailies with the director.
• In the post-production period, the producer often screens and logs all footage, supplies the editor with a "paper cut," selects and books post-production facilities, supervises all audio sessions, and works closely with the graphics designer(s) on show titles, in-show bumpers, opening and end credits, special effects, etc.
• The wrap-up stage involves paying and reconciling all outstanding invoices, finalizing all legal contracts and other outstanding issues, reconciling all budget issues, and submitting a final report to the client.
• The producer may also be involved in advertising and promotional campaigns, such as on-air promos and print ads, and may consult with the network or production company on publicity and securing international broadcast, ancillary rights, licensing, etc.
• The producer must also coordinate press activities by keeping careful control of what material is appropriate for release to the press.
• The producer evaluates the project for initial costs, funding sources, and likely markets.
• The producer oversees the development of the idea, which for television might include the overall Bible that includes the plotlines and character sketches for a season of shows in a continuing series.
• The producer supervises the completion of the shooting script, scouts and approves all locations, and consults with the production designer on sets, construction, props, and the overall look of the production.
• The producer may be hired by a production company as a staff producer and assigned to projects in which he or she may not have a vested interest.
• The producer may organize and conduct focus groups or audience testing and supervise any editorial changes that could result from their responses.