How To Become a Development Assistant Producer

How To Become a Development Assistant Producer

What is a Development Assistant Producer?
Development Assistant Producers (or Development APs) are part of the team that comes up with the ideas that get transformed into TV programmes. They research and flesh out briefs given to them by the Development Producer, using their contacts and industry knowledge gleaned from several years’ experience. They have lots of ideas themselves and a nose for a good story.

What is the Job?
Development APs help condense diverse ideas into a communicable pitch. Depending on the type of programme they are developing, they may be responsible for filming and editing ‘casting tapes’, which are short interviews with potential contributors, including experts, presenters or members of the public. They may also be asked to shoot and edit a short ‘taster tape’ (also known as a ‘sizzle’) to give the commissioner a taste of the content, style and tone of the show they are hoping to get commissioned. If they are working on the development of a new quiz show, they may have to write questions and test games or rounds to see if they work.

Read More

How To Become a Casting Assistant Producer

How To Become a Casting Assistant Producer

What is a Casting Assistant Producer?
A Casting Assistant Producer (Casting AP for short) is an individual who assists in the casting of actors or other contributors for film and TV productions.

What is the job?
The role of Casting Assistant Producer involves assisting with the process of finding actors for a film or TV drama, or on the factual side, contributors or interviewees who will be featured.

When working on drama, comedy or entertainment productions, it is the job of a Casting Assistant Producer to help Producers and Directors to cast actors that fit the character brief, who have the relevant skills and experience, and who are available for filming. It’s also important to ensure that the actor’s fees aren’t over the production’s budget. The role of a Casting Assistant Producer will vary depending on the size and budget of the production that they assisting on.

One of the main duties that a Casting Assistant Producer does is reading the script and creating a list of possible actors for any roles. It is then their job to call agents and check for actors’ availability and whether they would be interested in the role. In addition to this, a Casting Assistant Producer will help out with screen tests, operating the camera and providing other help throughout casting sessions.

Read More

How to Become an Assistant Producer

Become an Assistant Producer

What is an Assistant Producer
Coming from widely different backgrounds, Assistant Producers are experienced professionals hired by Producers and Executive Producers to help them in a variety of tasks. Often referred to as the AP, Assistant Producers responsibilities are varied, ranging from script editing to finance raising.

Assistant Producers are commonly found working on productions and are perhaps one of the most well-known roles in the industry. They can be found working across a range of mediums to include radio, film and television. In this article, we will discuss the responsibilities which fall under the remit of the Assistant Producers, the skills they possess and what it’ll take for you to become one.

Read More