Have you ever wondered what it takes to be a part of creating the latest hit streaming series? Or, maybe you’d love to be working behind the scenes of a fast-paced news program, your favorite reality TV series, or an iconic weekly drama. With a wide variety of TV and film production jobs to choose from, there’s a myriad of opportunities to turn the TV into your career.

What is TV Production?

Even though the actors and hosts of your favorite TV programs are the faces you know well, the production team deserves just as much credit for what you see on-screen. TV and film production jobs include all of the essential individuals involved in creating, distributing, and promoting a TV show or movie.

Types of Jobs in TV Production

So, what kinds of TV production jobs are there? You might be surprised at how many different people it takes for a show to be transformed from a basic idea to actual, on-screen production.

Here are just a few of the positions you might consider for your future career:

• Videographer/cinematographer: Use video equipment to record and edit content, tackling both the technical and creative aspects of the role
• Audio technician/sound engineer: Utilize an array of specialized equipment to capture and record sound, as well as edit it to create a specific audience experience
• Switcher/technical director: Manage the technology used to air specific graphics, camera shots, animals, replays, and the like during live events and broadcasts
• Floor director: Instruct the talent in regards to where to face, when to speak, etc., based on information from the director and producer
• Production assistant: Support the production team by taking on a broad range of responsibilities (a great way to build a plethora of experience)
• Executive producer: Lead the production team/department, supervising script-writing, talent, and other supervisory roles, making key decisions that affect the final result
• Writer: Conceptualize, create, and edit scripts for filming

How to Get Into TV Production

Qualifications for a TV production job depend primarily on the position and your long-term career plans. As you would imagine, the job requirements to become a sound engineer are different from those to work as a director.

But how do you get a job in TV production, to begin with? There are a few key qualifications you’ll need to fulfill first.

Education and Training

There is so much specialized knowledge involved in working in TV production; securing a career virtually always means getting a media-centric education first. Even for entry-level positions, such as production assistant, education gives you a far better chance of standing out among your competition.

A high-quality film and video production program will cover key topics such as:

• Principles of visual aesthetics
• How to use equipment such as cameras and lighting
• Shooting
• Pre-production processes such as screenwriting and storyboarding
• Post-production processes such as editing and FX
• Understanding roles and responsibilities on-set
• Industry trends

Ultimately, TV and film production classes aim to prepare you with the knowledge and practical skills you need to succeed in the industry.

An Internship

While spending time in a classroom is an important step in the learning process, you also need to be able to put your new skills to use. TV production internships are an invaluable opportunity to connect classroom content with real-life experience, placing you in a professional environment where you can learn even more.

Depending on the media school you choose, you may be connected with internships (for course credit) at a variety of companies and studios in your area.

Experience

Once you have education and an internship under your belt, it’s time to start building up your resume with professional experience. Like any industry, the world of media and entertainment has many entry-level positions that usually serve as your way to get your foot in the door. You can work your way up and advance to new positions, eventually securing your dream job.

Get an Education and Internship in TV Production

If you’re ready to start your journey towards a TV production career, our media schools can be where it all begins. At the Beonair Network of Media Schools, with campuses located in Miami, Chicago, Colorado, and Ohio, students in our Film & Video Production program spend time in the classroom and on-set to learn the skills they need to dive into the industry. Additionally, we help students find the internships they need to gain experience and discover new career opportunities.

For more information about how to get a job in TV production, contact us today!

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