How to Be Story Producer - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Feb 12, 2020 / 5 Minutes Read / By Albert

How to Become

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The increased use of technology in the workplace has caused a shift in the way employees communicate with each other. With the advent of instant messaging, emails, and video conferencing, face-to-face interactions are becoming rarer. This lack of physical contact has had a detrimental effect on morale and collaboration, leading to decreased productivity and employee dissatisfaction. As a result, employers have been forced to invest more in team-building activities and communication training in order to encourage collaboration and foster a positive work culture.

Steps How to Become

Earn a college degree. Most story producers have at least a bachelor's degree in film or television production, media production, broadcast journalism, English, or a related field.
Gain experience. Many story producers get their start on smaller productions and work their way up. You can gain experience through internships and volunteer opportunities.
Network. Building relationships with other professionals in the industry can be beneficial in finding job leads and advancing your career.
Become familiar with production software. Story producers need to be knowledgeable in editing software such as Avid, Final Cut Pro, or Adobe Premiere.
Develop the skill of pitching stories. As a story producer, you need to be able to pitch stories that will draw viewers and be interesting enough to hold their attention.
Find a position as a story producer. You can find job postings on industry websites, job boards, and production company websites. You can also reach out to production companies directly to inquire about available positions.

The success of a story producer depends on their ability to identify and develop compelling stories. A skilled story producer must be able to research and identify potential stories, develop them into an engaging narrative, and then assemble all the elements needed to create a finished product. They must also be able to collaborate effectively with other team members, such as directors and editors, to ensure the story is told in an effective and impactful way.

All of these skills require an understanding of storytelling techniques, an eye for detail, and a creative mindset. Without these abilities, a story producer may find it difficult to produce successful stories that will capture viewers attention and emotions.

You may want to check Digital Content Producer, Commercial Producer, and Project Producer for alternative.

Job Description

Scriptwriter: Responsible for writing the script for the show, including dialogue and action.
Research Coordinator: Responsible for researching the topics covered in the show and preparing materials for the story producer to use.
Field Producer: Responsible for managing logistics and crew when shooting in the field.
Director: Responsible for directing the show and keeping it on schedule.
Editor: Responsible for editing the show and creating a final version.
Production Coordinator: Responsible for managing the budget, equipment and crew during production.
Talent Manager: Responsible for hiring and managing talent for the show, as well as negotiating contracts.
Music Supervisor: Responsible for selecting and licensing music for the show.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Story development
Research and analysis
Scriptwriting
Creative problem solving
Team collaboration and communication
Budgeting and scheduling
Supervising production crews
Editing and post-production
Negotiation skills
Audio/Visual production knowledge

Time management is one of the most important skills to have for a successful career. Being able to manage and prioritize tasks in an efficient manner can help increase productivity and reduce stress. This can be achieved by creating a schedule, setting specific goals, delegating tasks, and setting realistic deadlines.

By understanding how to effectively manage time, a story producer can use their resources wisely and maximize their success. effective communication with clients and team members can help ensure that all tasks are completed on time and efficiently. Having strong organizational skills is also beneficial, as it allows story producers to organize projects and tasks so that they can be completed effectively.

having good time management skills can help story producers produce high-quality work within the allocated timeframe.

Reality Show Executive Producer, Senior Development Executive Producer, and Digital Producer are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

How do you ensure your stories are engaging and informative?
What techniques do you use to develop creative stories?
How do you ensure the stories you produce are accurate and in line with the client's vision?
How do you handle difficult situations that arise during the story production process?
Describe a time when you had to make a difficult decision while producing a story.
How have you leveraged technology to enhance the storytelling process?
What strategies do you use to keep the production on schedule and on budget?
Explain how you collaborate with other departments such as research, graphics and editing?
How do you manage multiple tasks at once?
What steps do you take to ensure the story is culturally sensitive and respectful of different backgrounds?

Common Tools in Industry

Final Cut Pro. Professional video editing software used to create movies, TV shows, and other videos. (eg: Avengers: Endgame was edited using Final Cut Pro)
Adobe Premiere Pro. Professional video editing software used to create high-quality videos for broadcast and film. (eg: The Mandalorian was edited using Adobe Premiere Pro)
Celtx. Scriptwriting software used to write and format scripts for film, television, and other media. (eg: Game of Thrones was written using Celtx)
Adobe After Effects. Animation and motion graphics software used to create special effects and motion graphics. (eg: The Lion King was animated using Adobe After Effects)
Avid Media Composer. Professional video editing software used to create feature films, television shows, and commercial videos. (eg: Star Wars Episode VII was edited using Avid Media Composer)
Logic Pro X. Digital audio workstation used to compose, record, and mix music and sound effects. (eg: The Lord of the Rings soundtrack was composed using Logic Pro X)
Pro Tools. Audio recording and mixing software used to create music and sound effects for film and television. (eg: The Walking Dead soundtrack was mixed using Pro Tools)
Adobe Photoshop. Image editing software used to create digital artwork, graphics, and logos. (eg: The Avengers logo was designed using Adobe Photoshop)

Professional Organizations to Know

Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (ATAS)
Producers Guild of America (PGA)
Writers Guild of America (WGA)
Directors Guild of America (DGA)
Motion Picture Editors Guild (MPEG)
International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE)
National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS)
National Association of Broadcasters (NAB)
National Association of Television Program Executives (NATPE)
British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA)

We also have Post Production Producer, Studio Producer, and Industrial Producer jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

Treatment. A written summary of a prospective television episode or series that outlines the plot, characters, and other elements of the project.
Scene Breakdown. The process of analyzing a script to determine how long each scene should be, the number of actors required, and the props and locations needed.
Story Arc. The overall structure of a story, often revealing how the plot develops from beginning to end.
Beat Sheet. A document that summarizes the plot points of a story, including character arcs and plot twists.
Outline. A detailed summary of a script that includes the major plot points, characters, and settings.
Pitch. A verbal presentation of a potential television project used to convince potential buyers to invest in its production.
Logline. A brief sentence summarizing the entire story of a television project.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What is a Story Producer? A1: A Story Producer is a creative professional responsible for researching, developing, and producing content for television, film, and other media. Q2: What skills are needed to be a Story Producer? A2: Story Producers should have excellent writing, communication, and organizational skills. Additionally, they should have an understanding of narrative structure, industry trends, and various production processes. Q3: What are the typical duties of a Story Producer? A3: Typical duties of a Story Producer include researching, developing, and pitching story ideas; collaborating with writers and other production staff; and overseeing the production process from pre-production through post-production. Q4: How much does a Story Producer typically earn? A4: A Story Producer's salary can vary depending on experience and the size of the production. According to payscale.com, the median annual salary for a Story Producer is $69,000. Q5: What is the job outlook for Story Producers? A5: The job outlook for Story Producers is expected to be good through 2029. With increasing demand for new content, the need for skilled professionals to develop stories is expected to continue to rise.

Web Resources

Story Producer: Nerissa Hannink - University of Melbourne pursuit.unimelb.edu.au
Producing Courses | Become A Film Producer | NYFA www.nyfa.edu
What Is A Producer? Everything You Need To Know - NFI www.nfi.edu