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Field producer vs freelance videographer/editor

The differences between field producers and freelance videographer/editors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-12 months to become a field producer, becoming a freelance videographer/editor takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a field producer has an average salary of $49,364, which is higher than the $48,481 average annual salary of a freelance videographer/editor.

The top three skills for a field producer include video production, booking and reality. The most important skills for a freelance videographer/editor are training videos, video content, and video production.

Field producer vs freelance videographer/editor overview

Field ProducerFreelance Videographer/Editor
Yearly salary$49,364$48,481
Hourly rate$23.73$23.31
Growth rate8%12%
Number of jobs54,7565,409
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 85%Bachelor's Degree, 75%
Average age4037
Years of experience126

What does a field producer do?

A field producer acts as a coordinator between studio personnel, field crews, and actors. They are responsible for scouting the best location for the interview or production to happen. Field producers even work on other details, such as working with editors to create the best video for the best interest of the company. They monitor and make sure the video created is high quality based on standards set forth by the media companies. They make sure that the film is submitted on time, find solutions, and provide compensation if there are delays.

What does a freelance videographer/editor do?

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.

Field producer vs freelance videographer/editor salary

Field producers and freelance videographer/editors have different pay scales, as shown below.

Field ProducerFreelance Videographer/Editor
Average salary$49,364$48,481
Salary rangeBetween $30,000 And $80,000Between $34,000 And $67,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between field producer and freelance videographer/editor education

There are a few differences between a field producer and a freelance videographer/editor in terms of educational background:

Field ProducerFreelance Videographer/Editor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 85%Bachelor's Degree, 75%
Most common majorCommunicationPhotography
Most common collegeHarvard UniversityNew York University

Field producer vs freelance videographer/editor demographics

Here are the differences between field producers' and freelance videographer/editors' demographics:

Field ProducerFreelance Videographer/Editor
Average age4037
Gender ratioMale, 55.9% Female, 44.1%Male, 80.0% Female, 20.0%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 7.8% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 14.3% Asian, 6.3% White, 65.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%Black or African American, 6.6% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 17.9% Asian, 7.1% White, 62.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage14%10%

Differences between field producer and freelance videographer/editor duties and responsibilities

Field producer example responsibilities.

  • Hire national and international crews, lead on-site location scouting, conduct on-site interviews and determine b-roll to be shoot.
  • Manage all production activities for fast-pace popular daytime reality series.
  • Manage the QA process including test/debug cycles and platform compliance/compatibility testing.
  • Hire nationally to cover NFL, MLB, NBA and NCAA breaking news.
  • Coordinate with external agencies, including the NHL, NFL, MLB, STX, UMMS, & MSP.
  • Assist in coordinating and booking events for daily entertainment news.
  • Show more

Freelance videographer/editor example responsibilities.

  • Provide right-hand executive assistance to the editor-in-chief; manage all aspects of professional life.
  • Upload the video to YouTube and make some DVD copies for them to hand out to customers.
  • Experience in using DSLR cameras and HD video camcorders such as: Sony EX3, and Sony PMW 350K and others.
  • Edit and post the footage to the association's Facebook page.
  • Establish an online presence through the use of a Facebook page.
  • Authore and convert documents to HTML on a daily deadline-driven basis.
  • Show more

Field producer vs freelance videographer/editor skills

Common field producer skills
  • Video Production, 21%
  • Booking, 9%
  • Reality, 6%
  • Video Content, 5%
  • B-Roll, 5%
  • Facebook, 5%
Common freelance videographer/editor skills
  • Training Videos, 38%
  • Video Content, 6%
  • Video Production, 4%
  • Camera Operation, 4%
  • Video Projects, 3%
  • Video Shoots, 3%

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