What does an assistant producer do?
In the entertainment industry, an assistant producer is in charge of overseeing production operations and coordinating staff, ensuring efficiency and smooth workflow. They typically manage the schedules and hiring procedures, write and edit production materials, arrange meetings with internal and external parties, procure supplies, and develop strategies to optimize production operations. They may also perform clerical tasks such as preparing and processing documentation, obtaining permits, and even disseminating information. Furthermore, an assistant producer may also participate in establishing policies and regulations for a safe and efficient work environment.
Assistant producer responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real assistant producer resumes:
- Facilitate and manage CNN weekend editorial team of freelance editorial producers.
- Research relevant theme source b-roll video and book relevant interviews and shoots.
- Used information to compile competitive quarterly reviews using Microsoft PowerPoint.
- Collaborate with production to streamline and track internal booking calendars.
- Negotiate copyediting, proofreading, typesetting/layout, and art rendering services at substantial cost savings to the company.
- Develop story ideas and create highlights and feature packages for specialty shows including SportsCenter, NFL PrimeTime and NBA2Night.
- Institute university Livestream strategy and production for streaming live events.
Assistant producer skills and personality traits
We calculated that 17% of Assistant Producers are proficient in Video Production, Web Content, and Audio Clips. They’re also known for soft skills such as Communication skills, Creativity, and Leadership skills.
We break down the percentage of Assistant Producers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Video Production, 17%
Provided assistance on video production and editing.
- Web Content, 10%
Produced web content for NWPR.org and social media content, print and video, for NWPR's Facebook page.
- Audio Clips, 7%
Edited daily audio clips for on-air play including TV audio, YouTube audio, commercial spots and guest liners.
- Production Schedules, 7%
Produced commercial according to client needs, target market, and tight production schedules.
- QA, 5%
Lead the QA Team and generated test plans that corresponded with milestones and the overall development of the game.
- Facebook, 5%
Produce & maintain the official website and oversee Twitter, Facebook & blog disaster-recovery campaigns.
Most assistant producers use their skills in "video production," "web content," and "audio clips" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential assistant producer responsibilities here:
Communication skills. One of the key soft skills for an assistant producer to have is communication skills. You can see how this relates to what assistant producers do because "producers and directors must convey information and ideas clearly in order to coordinate many people to finish a production on time and within budget." Additionally, an assistant producer resume shows how assistant producers use communication skills: "utlized adobe audition cc software operated technical communications equipment including the sound board"
Creativity. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling assistant producer duties is creativity. The role rewards competence in this skill because "because a script may be interpreted in different ways, directors must decide on their approach and on how to represent the script’s ideas for the production." According to an assistant producer resume, here's how assistant producers can utilize creativity in their job responsibilities: "directed production and creative efforts for the world-famous elvis duran and the morning zoo on nyc's z100. "
Leadership skills. This is an important skill for assistant producers to perform their duties. For an example of how assistant producer responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "directors instruct actors and help them portray their characters in a believable manner." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of an assistant producer: "prepared weekly briefing packet for production of pbs television program critiqued and edited live taping for post-production editing leadership".
The three companies that hire the most assistant producers are:
- Giant Eagle5 assistant producers jobs
- Kroger4 assistant producers jobs
- WarnerMedia
2 assistant producers jobs
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Compare different assistant producers
Assistant producer vs. Camera operator
A camera operator is responsible for operating various technical equipment to support technical operations, such as media productions and live events. Camera operators must have extensive knowledge of different camera features to select the appropriate device and manage the production's overall visual presentation. They also deliver the perfect footage on different angles for easy editing techniques alongside the technical crews and director's supervision. A camera operator should be communicative, as well as having excellent time-management and multi-tasking skills to adhere to the demands of production and schedules.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of an assistant producer are more likely to require skills like "web content," "audio clips," "production schedules," and "qa." On the other hand, a job as a camera operator requires skills like "camera equipment," "camera operation," "audio equipment," and "cctv." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Camera operators tend to reach similar levels of education than assistant producers. In fact, camera operators are 4.2% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.1% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Assistant producer vs. Photographer, editor
A Photographer, Editor selects, edits, and positions photos in print and web publications. They work for newspapers, magazines, websites, or other publications.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that assistant producer responsibilities requires skills like "web content," "audio clips," "production schedules," and "qa." But a photographer, editor might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "video cameras," "digital photography," "adobe premiere," and "eng."
Average education levels between the two professions vary. Photographers, editor tend to reach similar levels of education than assistant producers. In fact, they're 2.7% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Assistant producer vs. Freelance videographer/editor
A freelance videographer/editor is responsible for processing and editing video contents, usually on a project basis. Freelance videographer/editors create their footage using their shooting equipment, utilize various design and editing software, and finish the project based on the clients' specifications and deliverables. They should also have a good grasp of digital marketing to produce impactful videos to the target audience. A freelance videographer/editor must be detail-oriented and have excellent communication skills to coordinate with the production team for content plans and perform adjustments as needed.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from assistant producer resumes include skills like "web content," "audio clips," "production schedules," and "qa," whereas a freelance videographer/editor is more likely to list skills in "training videos," "camera operation," "video projects," and "audio equipment. "
Most freelance videographer/editors achieve a similar degree level compared to assistant producers. For example, they're 3.3% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Assistant producer vs. Audio visual technician
An audiovisual technician is responsible for operating and monitoring audiovisual equipment and systems used for various events such as live public events and business conferences. Audiovisual technicians' duties include repairing technical issues, running diagnostic tests before actual use, identifying and resolving malfunctions immediately, assembling system components, installing and arranging equipment on their proper positions, instructing clients on how to operate the systems, and ensuring the safety of the equipment. An audiovisual technician must have a broad knowledge of the technology industry and system procedures to perform setups and installment accurately.
Types of assistant producer
Updated January 8, 2025
