Television Production Jobs Key Terms

Find the services you need by understanding television production jobs key terms

By Nikki Wheeler

It takes a staggering number of talented and dedicated professionals to successfully produce television shows. There are many areas of technical and creative expertise that come together behind the scenes before, during and after television production. Whether looking for a career change, seeking out the service of production professionals, or expanding a current business into the TV business, the first step is understanding some basic television production jobs terminology.

Producer

The producer is an important position that takes on many responsibilities, including making creative decisions, resolving legal issues, and securing finances. More specific producing positions with more specific job functions include executive, supervising, senior, coordinating, segment, field and associate producers.
Try: Explore the Producers Guild of America to find a more detailed explanation of what a producer might do.

Director

A director overlooks all technical and artistic aspects of television production to achieve a unified vision. Additional directing positions in television production include art director and creative director.
Try: Read more about what a director does at Salary.com.

Production management

Stage manager, production manager, media production manager and editing manager are all important positions in the production management process. Each plays a part in the day-to-day business aspects of television production, including organization of schedules and facilities.
Try: Find an in-depth guide about a career in television production management from JobMonkey.

Pre-production jobs

Jobs in television pre-production fulfill responsibilities required prior to the filming of a show or broadcast of a live show. These jobs include positions in design, script writing, reporting, researching, financing, casting and legal matters.
Try: Learn more about the pre-production process from the Find Your Voice on Community TV blog.

Production jobs

Television production jobs encapsulate the tasks required while filming or broadcasting a show. These positions include camera men, stage managers, lighting crew, set crew, wardrobe, directors and technicians.
Try: See some listings of television and film jobs that are done during production at ProductionHUB.

Post-production jobs

Post-production television jobs are done after the filming of a show, in preparation of the broadcast. Post-production positions include film editing, sound editing and music direction.
Try: Visit Gateway to learn more about the post-production process.