Video and motion picture producer

About this occupation

Video and motion picture producers supervise the entire production of a movie or television programme. They select the scripts that will be turned into motion pictures or series. Video and motion picture producers find the financial means to make a movie or television series. They have the final decision on the whole project, from development and editing to distribution. During large-scale productions, video and motion picture producers can be part of a team of producers and may be responsible for some of these tasks.

A specialisation of producer.

• Plan details such as framing, composition, camera movement, sound, and actor movement for each shot or scene.
• Communicate to actors the approach, characterization, and movement needed for each scene in such a way that rehearsals and takes are minimized.
• Direct live broadcasts, films and recordings, or non-broadcast programming for public entertainment or education.
• Research production topics using the internet, video archives, and other informational sources.
• Review film, recordings, or rehearsals to ensure conformance to production and broadcast standards.
• Study and research scripts to determine how they should be directed.

Typical education (US)

Bachelor's Degree

Preparation

Job Zone 4 of 5

Interests

Artistic, Enterprising, Conventional

Top skills: Active Listening, Reading Comprehension, Speaking, Critical Thinking, Monitoring, Social Perceptiveness

US median pay: US$90,360 a year (2025), 143,120 employed. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.

Subjects this work relies on

How important each subject's knowledge is in the job itself, rated by people doing it (1 to 5).

• Media StudiesO*NET: Communications and MediaExtremely important (4.7)
• English or Literature in EnglishO*NET: English LanguageVery important (3.9)
• Computer StudiesO*NET: Computers and ElectronicsVery important (3.6)
• Business Studies or EntrepreneurshipO*NET: Administration and ManagementImportant (3.4)

O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.

Preparation needed

Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed

Most common education (US)

Bachelor's Degree

Education

Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.

Experience

A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.

Training

Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.

O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.