Starting a career as a film producer keeps you in charge of managing the business aspects of a movie from the beginning of development to the end of editing. This career is a crucial leadership position in the film industry that affects every movie production in a big way. Starting a career as a film producer will allow you to perform several roles while a movie is being produced.

There are numerous paths to becoming a film producer. The basic requirement you need is having the right skills and a passion for films. However, there are steps that you can take to increase your potential of succeeding in this career as a film producer.

In this piece, I will guide you through the important steps to start a career as a film producer as well as the various roles you can function in as a film producer.

How to Become a Film Producer

1. Obtain a Bachelor’s Degree

   Firstly, you need to get the right education in this field. You can obtain a bachelor’s degree in areas such as film production, cinema studies or a related field. This degree will give you the foundation knowledge you need in areas such as screenwriting, visual arts, and film editing are all skills that can be learned.

2. Gain Practical Experience

   You can gain experiences through internships, student projects or by volunteering. It is vital to obtain experience in the movie industry while pursuing your career. Therefore, you can gain this experience while studying as an undergraduate and after you graduate. This can help you improve your fundamental skills while also learning from seasoned producers.

3. Get acquainted with movies and production

   You can do this by grasping the fundamentals of movies and their production. This is vital because it allows you to hone your passion for filming. Additionally, It is also necessary to see movies of various categories to understand further the craft of producing movies. This can help you determine the types of movies you would like to produce.

4. Pursue a Master’s Degree

   A master’s degree in film production can give you additional knowledge in this field. Additionally, it can be useful for people seeking higher-level careers in the business. Furthermore, it can enable you to specialise in an area of interest such as screenwriting, directing, producing or cinematography.

5. Work on Small Films

   As an aspiring film producer, you must start producing films even in a small way. This is important for building your portfolio as well as gaining experience.

6. Commit to Continuous Learning

   The film industry is always changing. As a result, staying up to date on new technologies, trends, and techniques is vital. You can do this by attending classes or workshops to continue learning and enhancing your skills.

Job Opportunities for Film Producers

1. Production Companies
2. Advertising Agencies
3. Online Video Platforms
4. Video Game Development
5. Teaching
6. Studios
7. Independent Films

Types of Film Producers

1. Line Producer: The line producer is in charge of supervising every aspect of the production, to guarantee the movie is produced on schedule as well as on budget. Additionally, they oversee the hiring process of the team members in the movie production.
2. Executive Film Producer: The executive producer is in charge of obtaining the money needed for a movie. Generally, they create the movie’s concept and manage the entire production process.
3. Co-producer: The Co-producer oversees the casting procedure as well as planning post-production tasks. This role involves working with the executive producer and line producer to supervise the production process.
4. Associate Producer: The associate producer assists in managing particular areas of the production by collaborating regularly alongside the other producers.
5. Creative Producer: The creative producer is in charge of supervising the production’s creative features. They work with the creative team as well as the film director.

Universities in Africa that Offer Cinematography or a related field

1. University of Capetown, South Africa
2. American University in Cairo, Egypt
3. University of Witwatersrand, South Africa
4. North-West University, South Africa
5. Afe Babalola University, Nigeria
6. University of Ibadan, Nigeria
7. Nelson Mandela University, South Africa
8. University of the Western Cape, South Africa
9. University of Johannesburg, South Africa
10. Rivers State University, Nigeria
11. University of Ibadan, Nigeria
12. Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nigeria
13. University of Uyo, Nigeria

List of Film Schools in Africa

1. National Film Institute, Jos, Nigeria
2. Africa Film Drama Art, South Africa
3. Imagine Film Institute, Burkina Faso
4. Ecole Supérieure des Arts Visuels, Morocco
5. Del-York Creative Academy, Nigeria
6. Kwetu Film Institute, Rwanda
7. Pefti Film Institute, Nigeria
8. African Digital Media Institute, Kenya
9. Lufodo Academy of Performing Arts, Nigeria
10. Magnus Film Academy, Nigeria
11. High Definition Film Academy, Nigeria

In summary, becoming a film producer demands a great deal of work and dedication. Additionally, you need to learn marketing and business skills while pursuing your career as a film producer. This will enable you to market and distribute any movie that is produced during your career journey. A film producer has a very dynamic function in the entertainment business. Therefore, you must possess authority and be approachable to perform well as a film producer.

Good luck!

Click to discover an extensive list of local and international schools offering courses and programs in various career path