From Day Player to Producer: Building a Lasting Career in the Media Industry
What Does a Producer Do?
“That is a loaded question”, Jon jokes.
Within the documentary industry specifically, “you’re given a story, and you’re given a layout of what…[the episode] could look like. Sometimes, it’s a one-sentence pitch and it’s your job to put together an entire outline of what the episode could potentially look like.”
Producers ultimately own the end-to-end logistics of a show: they handle everything from scouting and booking the people for an interview, managing production timelines, to securing locations, all to ensure that everything is ready on to shoot seamlessly. On larger sets, the producer’s job is to ensure that everything stays on track with the overarching creative vision. On smaller sets, the producer often becomes the director, guiding camera operators on shots, maintaining team momentum, and briefing the crew and interviewees on the story arc so that everyone works toward the same goal.
For entry-level production assistants support means picking up wherever anyone needs a hand. Running coffee, driving crews and tools around town, taping down cables, and setting up cameras and lighting are all essential responsibilities when starting out.
Above all, producing requires strong collaboration. “It’s not all on you.” Jon added. When unexpected set challenges arise, leaning on the team ensures the creative vision stays on target and the story gets told effectively: “You now have six other producers who are coming at you with ideas of what you could do.”
How Does A Producer ‘Break Into’ The Industry?
As Jon points out, “There’s no conventional way to get started in this industry, really.”
Landing that first breakthrough in television and documentary production often requires a mix of persistence, practical adaptability, and peer connections. After starting out in lighting and sound tech post college, Jon moved to New York in hopes of landing an opportunity. A connection made through a college friend led to a freelance gig at Bravo during his very first week in the city. Jon was able to supplement his income by working as a stagehand and lighting technician for Broadway shows. Over time, the network built through those freelance roles helped him to keep working continuously.
Building these early connections often starts with simple humility and curiosity on set. When faced with unfamiliar terminology or logistics—like learning that a “honey wagon” refers to the set bathroom as André jokes—asking a fellow production assistant is the best approach. Most peers are willing to help one another and the benefits are mutual to a lasting career network: “everyone who’s a production assistant is looking to make it in the industry, make an impression…and that’s all about building friends at the bottom.”
Ultimately, combining that peer network with strong work ethic and a positive attitude is what turns temporary gigs into long-term careers. “Work hard, because when you’re working hard people want to reward it.” André advises. “If you work hard, if people feel like you’re someone that wants to be there and if you’re likeable, it makes a big difference.”
What is “Day Player Freelance”?
In the film and television industry, working as a freelancer or contract-for-hire is standard practice. A “day player” specifically is freelancer brought in on a temporary basis to step in wherever a production crew needs an extra hand.
Building momentum in these entry-level day player roles often comes down to pure availability and enthusiasm. As Jon recalls: “I just said ‘yes’ to absolutely everything…it didn’t matter what I had going on, I just said ‘yes’”
That relentless reliability paid off. By consistently showing up and delivering as a go-to sub, Jon eventually turned his temporary freelance gigs into a full-time position with one of the production crews.
Producers Are Sometimes Writers
Creative boundaries on set are often fluid, and producers frequently find themselves taking on writing responsibilities. As Jon reflects, “Writing is another thing I never thought I’d find myself in, but I have quite a bit throughout the years.”
While working on A Perfect Match, Jon and his colleague were working together to come up with funny ideas for the show’s cold open when they hit on something brilliant. Just for fun, Jon decided to write up a draft.
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Scriptwriting of that nature typically falls to executive producers, but Jon’s colleague encouraged him to pitch the draft to leadership anyway. The executives loved the pitch and greenlit the script on the spot: “And I was like, oh, sick! And before I knew it, we were doing it.”
Production Takes you to Unexpected Places
Working on film and TV sets will can bring you into environments and communities far outside the realm of a typical career. Over his time in the field, Jon has shot in high-stakes locations ranging from jails and conflict zones, to dilapidated buildings in abandoned cities.
While filming on location on the South Side of Chicago for Real Life with Lisa Ling, Jon and André spent time meeting and interviewing local gang members. Despite this intense backdrop, the experience proved deeply human.
Filming on location in Chicago for Real Life with Lisa Ling
“Actually,” André reminisces, “it was a really beautiful day, because those guys really opened up.”
Both production crew and the interviewees shared a clear, unified purpose: to understand the underlying history of violence in Chicago through authentic storytelling. For the gang members themselves, the shoot offered a platform to “be spokespersons for their communities.” André explains.
Jon added that “It was just a testament to how special this job is, this industry is, to put you in places that I would have never dreamed up, growing up in Central Florida in a tiny town…that [someday] I’d be hanging with gangsters in the South Side of Chicago.”
Putting It All Together: The Day-to-Day Life of a Producer
Working as a producer means navigating long hours, unpredictable schedules, and frequent travel. Shoot blocks often keep production crews on location for extended periods. “You spend a lot of time in and out of hotels”, Jon explains. “it can take anywhere from 2-3 months.”
André agreed adding, “you’re living out of your suitcase in a hotel and trying to find a meal in some small city at 9 o’clock when everything is closed at 8 o’clock.”
Standard TV and film schedules typically run on 12-hour days spread across multi-week shoots. During production, producers must capture every potential angle, sound bite, and piece of coverage so that the post-production editing team has everything they need to complete the narrative vision.
To keep these shifts structured producers create a call sheet, which is the master schedule breaking down the full 12-hour day, complete with call times, shoot locations, key contact information, and scheduled breaks. “The call sheet keeps us honest to make sure crew isn’t being overworked.” Jon explains.
Jon on set
Even with meticulous planning, flexibility remains the single most important asset on set. Production conditions shift constantly, forcing producers to troubleshoot with contingency plans on the fly. “You’ve really got to be able to pivot…stay on your toes.” Serving the story is always the ultimate goal, and narratives naturally evolve as filming unfolds.
“That’s a part of what I love about this industry, every day is different…” Jon admits. “I wanted to be able to tell stories and travel the world, and that’s what I’ve gotten to do and it’s probably one of my favorite parts of the job.”
Key Takeaways for Aspiring Producers
If you’re looking to break into film and television production, Jon Myers’ path offers a practical framework for building a sustainable career on set:
- Say “yes” and build friends at the bottom: Early in your career, availability, enthusiasm, and work ethic set you apart. Say ‘yes’ to every freelance opportunity that you can, step up wherever help is needed, and form genuine connections with fellow entry-level crew members as they will become your lifelond professional network.
- Master the art of the pivot: Production schedules, weather, and logistics shift constantly. Treat the call sheet as your foundation, but always remain adaptable and come prepared with Plans A, B, and C when on-set conditions change.
- Step beyond your formal job description: Producing if a fluid role. If inspiration strikes for a script, scene, or cold open, take the initiative to write it down and pitch it. Stepping outside your defined responsibilities can unlock major career opportunities.
- Embrace the team and ask questions: No producer managers a show alone. When unexpected set challenges arise, lean on your crew for creative ideas, and never hesitate to ask questions when you are unsure about logistics.
- Approach subjects and communities with empathy: Documentary media will place you in unfamiliar environments with people from all walks of life. Focus on listening deeply, establishing mutual respect, and giving subjects the platform to share their authentic stories.
Build Your Portfolio With Us
With various program levels available, students are able to build out their own education journey.
- Begin with the 24-credit Undergraduate Certificate in Digital Media.Learn the fundamentals of digital media production and begin building a body of work along the way.
- Advance to a 72-credit Associate Degree in Digital Media.Build advanced skills in filmmaking, video, and motion graphics, learn to market your skills, and finish with a guidance-backed portfolio.
For information on more Live Events from Sessions College, visit our Sessions Live page.
Jessica is the Lifecycle & Content Manager at Sessions College. Whether she is producing live online events, managing the Discord community, or designing helpful email communications, her focus is always on enhancing the student experience. Read more articles by Jessica.
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