1st Week, 1st Edit...Done!

My first day as a Producer was May 5th. I spent the first week following around other producers, sitting in on their edit sessions, and learning what all my responsibilities are. I set up my new desk and started to familiarize myself with all the paperwork I have to submit for every show. I also received my assignments for the month of June. So, with my feet wet and a basic understanding of what I'm supposed to do, they set me to work. I had my first solo edit session this past Wednesday (May 14). It went really well!! I formatted 5 shows and revised 4. 9 shows done in one day is good, even for a veteran producer, or so I'm told.

A lot of people have been asking about the specifics of my job. There's a lot of aspects to it and it's not all very interesting but I'll try to explain what I do. A production plan is created by one of the senior producers that includes every show for the month that will need to have something done to it. A producer is assigned to each show. I have to look at the production plan and see what's assigned to me and what I have to do to each show. I then have to request the proper materials (blank tapes, source footage, element footage, etc.) in order to correctly create the show. Most of my time is spent getting ready for my edit session. I have to pre-screen everything to make sure there are no audio or video problems, no swearing, and that the program times out correctly. A 1-hour program should really be about 45 minutes, allowing for 15 minutes of commercials. So, if it's too long, I have to decide what will be cut out. I have to have forms prepared for myself and the editor based on my screening process. The day of edit, I work with an editor to make all the changes to the programs that I decided to make during the screening process. If it's a new program, we have to record it onto 2 video tapes and add any special elements I decided to put in. And more paperwork. Paperwork for the reel telling what show is on the tape, and all the important time codes, and revision paperwork. Then, after the edit session, I have to email all the paperwork to the correct departments and make sure the reels go to the library (where I used to work) so that it can be labeled and prepared to go to air. So, basically, my job is to watch a lot of TV. Sometimes it's really interesting (like when I am assigned to Biographies), sometimes it's really not (like when I'm assigned to Ghost Stories). But I really am enoying it! I have my lunch paid for by A&E when I'm in an edit session. I work on my own schedule and am responsible only for myself. I work really well that way. I have a cubicle with my own little TV. I have a cart that belongs to me with Yankees stickers on it. I sit near other producers who are pretty kick back and easy going, and one is kinda cute too! We go on spur of the moment coffee runs (unfortunately, there's no Starbucks nearby so I have to settle for Dunkin' Donuts) and play Scrabble and Sudoku when we run out of things to do. Oh, and we find a reason to have cake and ice cream at least once a week! I couldn't ask for a better job!

Here are some pictures from my first edit session this week.

My first slate

This is the edit suite

Me, producing!