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Degree Gimbal, Walvis Bay, Namibia, Feature Film ‘Flight of the Phoenix' /
Photo Credit Bruce Bisbey
What does a Segment Producer do?
A Segment Producer is a Television Producer who
specializes in “reference book” television, as it’s his or her job to develop
the various “entries” in a segmented TV program. You see, most TV shows —
comedies and dramas, for instance — are made up of “scenes.” Some, however —
reality TV shows, game shows, talk shows, and news programs — are made up of
“segments,” instead. It’s like the difference between a novel — which tells a
continuous story — and a reference book, which features a series of discrete,
subject-specific entries.
A Segment Producer is a producer that is the jack of all
trades in dealing with their assignment at hand. They must work with all
aspects of the need of the core production and maintain a consistent continuity
with between their segment and show over all.
Examples of segments include “Stupid Human Tricks” on the
“Late Show with David Letterman,” a cooking demonstration on “Good Morning
America,” an interview with the President Of The United States on “60 Minutes,”
the bonus round on “Wheel of Fortune,” and the “Quick-fire” challenge on “Top
Chef.”
No matter what the segment is, when you’re the Segment
Producer, your job is to create, execute, and own it. Typically, that means
meeting with fellow Segment Producers to brainstorm and delegate ideas,
researching selected topics, booking guests and contributors, then writing and
producing scripts, graphics, and rundowns. You also interview sources, in the
case of news segments, and collaborate with Television Producers and crew
members — including the Stage Manager, Gaffer, and Grips — to set up the segment,
coordinate it, engineer it, and actually execute it on camera.
Many Segment Producers work with Video Editors. In the
absence of one, however, you may be required to edit your own footage as well —
usually under extremely tight deadlines.
Whether it’s for a live TV news show or a taped reality
competition, you’re the Seamstress of television, stitching individual
vignettes into program-sized quilts!
SOME OF THE POSSIBLE JOB REQUIREMENTS AND DUTIES (That may
apply or be required)
- Comprehensive knowledge of production management and
production techniques…
- Excellent knowledge of handling administrative functions
and managing staff…
- Strong communication, interpersonal and relationship
building skills…
- Handling the tasks of creative production and development…
- Responsible for budget performance, content quality, and
overseeing market share of assigned project… Familiar with applications such as Microsoft Word, Access,
Excel, Adobe Photoshop, After Effects, Illustrator, and Final Cut Pro…
- Excellent knowledge of operating production equipment like
cameras, microphones, manual filming cameras, lighting equipment, ladders, and
audio equipment…
- Handle tasks of writing, shooting, and editing
contemporary programs and feature stories for various shows…
- Responsible for providing training sessions to segment
staff in areas of shooting television segments and special features…
- Perform tasks of tapping on-site or off-site television
programs and events…
- Handle responsibilities of editing video tape assignments
using various editing software programs such as After Effects, Adobe Photoshop,
Final Cut Pro and illustrator…
- Perform complete responsibilities of traveling to various
locations for filming on-site events such as crusades and other special
assignments…
- Assisting associate producers, producers, and production
assistants in all aspects of the production… Tracking and reporting on
production schedules and budgets for news shows…
- Planning, directing, and managing the creation and
content…
- Assisting subordinates and conducting performance reviews…
- Coordinated the work of producers and created a unified
end result…
- Tracked and met deadlines for projects, adjusted
production schedules, and ensured projects are delivered on time…
- Maintained and updated content in master schedule and
database…
Other responsibilities may include:
- Responsible for gathering and maintaining records of all pre-production
details…
- Assigned tasks of assisting segment producer in script
development and approvals…
- Handle tasks of shooting and directing interviews, casting
and recording voice over talent…
- Responsible for managing all final deliverable's, schedules
and budgets…
- Coordinate with account managers, designers and editors in
organizing various shows…
- Perform tasks of overseeing the management and creation of
video shooting…
From top to
bottom, the chain of command runs:
- Executive
Producer
- Co-executive
Producer
- Line
Producer
- Supervising
Producer
- Producer
- Co-producer
- Coordinating
Producer
- Consulting
Producer
- Associate
Producer
- Segment
Producer
- Field
Producer
- Edit
Producer
- Post
Producer
Sources,
References & Credits: Google, Wikipedia, Wikihow, Pinterest, IMDB, Linked
In, Indie Wire, Film Making Stuff, Hiive, Film Daily, New York Film Academy, The
Balance, The Numbers, Film Maker Magazine, Media Match, Quora, Creative Skill
Set, Investopedia, Variety, No Film School, Daily Variety, The Film Agency, Best
Sample Resume, How Stuff Works, Career Trend, Producer's Code of Credits, Producers
Guild of America, Film Connection, Entertainment Careers
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Very interesting.
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