The document summarizes an informational interview about pursuing a career in television production. It discusses the roles and responsibilities of a producer, key advice from an interview with industry professional David Pernell including getting hands-on training and being patient, essential classes that provide fundamental knowledge, and Lucille Ball as an inspiration who was influential as the first female studio head. The document concludes that after understanding the challenges, the individual remains committed to pursuing a career in television production.

1. INFORMATIONAL INTERVIEW Ryan Nathaniel Daw
8 November 2014
COM 400
Instructor: David Bollinger

2. PREVIEW OF MAIN POINTS
1. Career Description
2. Interview with David Pernell
3. Essential classes in my academic career at
UNCW.
4. People who inspired me to be a
producer/director
5. The wrap-up (yes or no)

3. CAREER
DESCRIPTION
• “Producers are the main players in the
television, film and video industries. A
producer will oversee each project from
conception to completion and may also be
involved in the marketing and distribution
processes. Work closely with directors and
other production staff on the shoot.”
Tasks include:
• raising funding
• reading, researching and assessing ideas and
finished scripts
• commissioning writers or securing the rights
to novels, plays or screenplays
• building and developing a network of
contacts
If it is a good movie, the sound could go off and the
audience would still have a perfectly clear idea of
what was going on.
~ Alfred Hitchcock

4. INFORMATIONAL INTERVIEW WITH DAVID PERNELL
• What are two pieces of advice you would give to someone pursuing
a career in the field of production?
“My first piece of advice would be to get as much hands on training as
you possibly can. Any type of studio environment. The setting may be
different, but the equipment (cameras, switchers, audio boards, etc.)
are all basically the same. Learning how to frame shots and make
smooth camera movements. This will put you ahead of the curve…”
• “Second, be patient. You will not always get director on your first job.
Most likely entry level job, such as quality control. A lot of turn over,
directing within two years.”

5. INFORMATIONAL INTERVIEW WITH DAVID PERNELL
Do you foresee any changes within the next five to ten years?
• “[Regarding studio production], the trend is already going there.
Doing more with less, we see more productions being produced
digitally. A lot of stations are now using SD cards. I feel this is a good
advance. On the other hand, there is a certain art to the traditional
production crew. As director, you are conducting a symphony,
because you have to make sure everything is working properly. I am
however, concerned with the decreasing number of positions for in
studio people.
•“Today, News 14 Carolina only has a two person production
crew…new software takes the human element out of production.”

6. INFORMATIONAL INTERVIEW WITH DAVID PERNELL
What are the major rewards of this job (besides money, fringe
benefits, travel, etc.)?
• “The adrenaline rush of live breaking news. The sense of
accomplishment when you pull off a tricky show. It did not
matter how many times I directed a live show, when I sat down
in that chair at ten ‘til the hour – the adrenaline was pumping.”
• “If you have a particularly hard show, you sometimes have to
go off script. When something breaks you have to compensate
for it.”

7. ESSENTIAL
CLASSES
• COM 382 – This provides me
with basic fundamental
knowledge of studio equipment.
• COM 272 - I am able to
understand the structures of
different organizations, and
which one will best suit me as
a career.
• COM 200 - After having taken
this class twice, I understand
the importance of good
teamwork.

8. LUCILLE BALL
• Lucy is my biggest influence, because
she was the first woman president in
the entertainment industry.
• She was head of Desilu Studios from
1962 to 1968.
• Responsible for many classic television
shows, including:
• That Girl
• The Andy Griffith Show
• The Dick Van Dyke Show
• And many more…
I am not funny, what I am is brave.
~ Lucille Ball

9. THE WRAP-UP
So, am I still in this field as
a career? The answer is yes!
• I understand that it will
take a while, and a great
amount of discipline
• Patience is a key
attribute, but if I really
work for it, this will be
worth it in the long run!