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| CAREER GUIDE | Friday, July 19, 2002, Chandigarh, India |
| CAREER
PROFILE The charm of being a television producer IT would not be an exaggeration to say that nothing can be incorporated in a television programme without the producer’s consent. Besides being in complete overall control of the programme, the producer also conceptualises or contributes to the idea on which the programme is based. QUERY HOTLINE |
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CAREER
PROFILE
IT would not be an exaggeration to say that nothing can be incorporated in a television programme without the producer’s consent. Besides being in complete overall control of the programme, the producer also conceptualises or contributes to the idea on which the programme is based. Besides managing the programme budget, scheduling of rehearsals, recording and shooting, the producer also has a say in the selection of actors, participants and members of the production team. As in the case of films, every programme on TV, and even radio, has a producer, who, over a period of time, ends up specialising in a particular genre of programming. For example, a programme on current affairs needs a producer who has a good grasp of the subject combined with sound political judgement. A wildlife feature, on the other hand, needs a producer who can organise a large production team and expensive equipment and get them across to outdoor locations for shooting. Producing a programme is an expensive affair — anywhere from Rs 2.5 lakh to Rs 5 lakh per episode depending on the format (VHS or Beta) on which the film is shot. Historical and mythological serials may even shoot over Rs 10 lakh per episode because of their elaborate sets, costumes and use of animation. You must not, however, confuse the producer with the director, though in some productions the same person takes on both roles. There are three major attributes that you must possess if you want to really make your way to the top: good organisational skills, decisiveness, and dollops of experience. Of course, you need a good head for business (to identify winning topics and maintain a strict eye on runaway budgets) and the ability to inspire and sustain team spirit. As a veteran director puts it: “The really good producers are the invisible ones. You tend to be more aware of them when things are going wrong.” To become a producer, you would need to work under one for a few years. ‘Learning the ropes’ and acquiring relevant experience are mandatory. A professional course would help give you a basic grounding which in turn may facilitate your access to a production job. Alternatively, sign up as a production assistant/assistant producer and work your way up in 3-4 years. In fact, if you were to scratch below the surface of any successful TV producer, you would be sure to find that he/she started out as a PA. Working under the supervision of the producer, it is the PA’s job to ensure that everyone is where he/she needs to be. Actors and crew have to be transported to the sets on time, the reams of paperwork signed, make-up and costume fittings done and the last-minute changes taken care of — in short, the perfect hands-on entry-level job for those who would like to move into the production end of the business. The money you’ll
make As a producer, senior/executive producer, you would be paid approximately Rs 35,000 p.m. Independent professionals earn much more depending on the projects handled - as much as Rs 50,000 to Rs 1 lakh p.m.
Training and experience in production techniques and ability to handle a wide variety of subjects for production of TV programmes like features, interviews, etc, including outdoor work is, desirable. DD also offers slots for producers who have specialised in particular areas like drama, music and dance, rural programmes, educational programmes, children’s and women’s programmes and sports. However, these posts require specialised qualifications in the respective fields. Recruitment is done by the head of the Doordarshan kendra. The mode of selection is through interview and the probation period is generally for two years. The best and worst bits Work in this field means long hours — no fixed timings — you could be working for several days at a stretch without a break. You need to be 100% alert -anything can go wrong, at anytime. You also need to be able to think on your feet and plan in advance for any emergency. The best bit is the feeling of complete charge from beginning to end. The immediate reward of seeing your well-orchestrated and polished production on screen. Completing a project is a new and satisfying feeling each time. Further reading “Guide to Careers in Television & Broadcasting” (Vision Books). Packed with information for aspiring professionals, the book lists all exciting opportunities in this medium and shows you what it takes to make it in this field. Pervin Malhotra |
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QUERY
HOTLINE Q I am doing my CS. Can you please tell me about the Indian Civil Accounts Service? Avtar Gill A
The Indian Civil Accounts Service is part of the Group A of the Indian Civil Services. Officers in this service are responsible for establishing ethnically sound accounting systems in the departmentalised accounting offices. Your first posting will be as Assistant Controller of Accounts in a ministry of the Government of India. As a probationary officer you will be trained up at the LBS National Academy of Administration, Mussoorie, Indian Audit & Accounts Service Staff College, Shimla, National Institute of Financial Management and will undergo in-service training conducted by the Controller General of Accounts. Your next posting will be as a Dy. Controller of Accounts, and in the Selection Grade as Controller of Accounts. The senior most post in this service is that of the Controller General of Accounts on a scale that is higher than that of an Additional Secretary in the GoI. Admission is through the Civil Services Exam conducted by the UPSC. For complete details regarding exams and choice of subjects, preparation etc. read CARING's Guide to "Careers in the Civil Services". Packaging industry Q
I am an engineering graduate and would like to join the packaging
industry. Please advise A Packaging
encompasses numerous disciplines from science and engineering to
printing, marketing and graphic designing. Broadly, the areas cover
design, manufacture and marketing. Packaging Technologist chooses the
right packaging material, and right shape from the preservation as
well as the production point of view based on his knowledge of
chemical and mechanical engineering. Designers and artists who can
innovate and design attractive eye-catching packaging that stands out
on the shelf are always in demand. Graduates in Chemistry, Food
Sciences, Engineering, Microbiology, Electronics and related studies
can take courses in Packaging Technology. There are limited training
options as of now. Graduates with an additional qualification in
packaging technology are offered jobs, in the areas of production,
purchase/marketing and research & development. In leading
packaging industries, including MNCs, with good remuneration. Those
with a PG diploma in packaging technology as well as those who have
done the 3-month certificate course. Certificate courses and
Postgraduate diploma in packaging technology are offered by:
Hotels Q
I have
been hearing that hotels have started outsourcing housekeeping
operations. Is that true? Can you throw some light on the real
situation? Sandeep Kundu A Housekeeping operations
are undergoing a tremendous change today, as more and more hotels,
particularly in the West, are opting for outsourced professionals. As
a result a number of hospitality professionals are venturing into the
business as outsource housekeeping providers. In fact, most of them
have carved a niche for themselves in the corporate sector as well as
in the hotel industry. And with India playing host to more and more
hotel properties, opportunities available to enterprising
professionals and students with a flair for housekeeping are plenty.
On the flip side, while leading outsourced service providers do find
the hospitality industry a potential market, the non-co-operative
attitude of the hotel staff is causing service providers to rethink
the potential of this market. Some professionals also feel that while
most of the hotels want excellent specialised services, many are not
willing to pay the price. They also feel that many in-house service
departments consider outsourced service providers a threat to their
jobs and, therefore, put unnecessary pressure on them. MCA Q What
would be the difference between doing MCA through correspondence or
regularly as far as jobs are concerned? A As far as the course content is concerned, there is no difference between a regular and correspondence MCA. However, a full-time course would definitely give you far more practical hands-on experience. Hence, given a choice, employers, too, tend to prefer those who have passed out of a full-time course from a good university. A distance MCA is meant for working people who wish to enhance their qualifications on the side or for those who are already pursuing some other regular course of study. Also, some of the better F/T MCA departments offer campus placement on completion of the course - a facility that is not available to those studying through the distance mode. With the overall whittling down of job opportunities for newcomers, this means that you will have to scout around on your own for your first job. What really matters in software jobs is your live hands-on project experience over and above your formal qualifications. Even if you can get to intern at a very low or no salary, grab the opportunity. While there are nearly hundreds of institutions and university departments offering regular MCA courses, the competition is very stiff because the number of seats in each programme is limited to 30-35. This compels a large number of students to opt for the distance alternative. MFC Q I wish to study Master
of Finance & Control (MFC) through correspondence. Can you please
tell me which institutions offer this course through correspondence
and if there is any other correspondence course equivalent to MFC? A There is only one university offering MFC through correspondence: Jiwaji University, Institute of Correspondence Studies, Gwalior 474011: Duration: 3 yrs; Eligibility: Graduation with 45% aggregate. However, Master's in Financial Management (MFM) which is equivalent to MFC is offered by Pondicherry University, Directorate of Distance Education, University Campus, R Venkataraman Nagar, Kalapet, Pondicherry 605014. It is a 2-yr correspondence course and the eligibility is graduation. Please send in your query preferably on a postcard along with your name, complete address and academic qualifications to: Editor, Career Hotline, |
