Hello,

I'd like to be a Producer one day, possibly with my own independent production company.

So I was reading about the different ways to get into the TV/Film Industry, and the common consensus is that you should start as a runner (aka general skivvy/tea boy/grunt) or production assistant (one step up, you're in an office/cabin, doing IT, reports and filing).

I've heard that the production assistant works closely with a producer and/or production company and can be offered work on other projects.

Is this the right way to go or should I try a different way?

(Please bear in mind I still am in a 9 to 5 office job at the moment and am researching this type of job)

One of my daughters is a production assistant with an independent, and has been for a couple of years.

It's good for exposure, as so much of getting on in that world is about being seen in the right place at the right time. If you're starting at ground-floor level, you have to be able to stick with it for as long as you can. Problem is that tends to suit those who can afford to live on a small salary, if any at all - which is why production companies so often wind up being chock-full of braying Sloanes whose parents fund their lifestyle.....

Beyond that, a period of study wouldn't hurt at some stage - plenty of uni's offering degree courses in media production - if you're intending to set up a company, having some idea of the technical end of the business is pretty important, especialy the way technology is developing.

If you want to go that route, you have to be really, really, really sure that you wantit and clear about why.Anything less than this and I wouldn't bother - not because you aren't good enough, but that that's what you'll be competing withso unless you can match that you'll lose out. In the meantime, keep an eye on how the industry is developing, especially how what's being called 'Web 2.0' might shape things.

Hope this helps. niceone.gif