Television Survival Tips (Part II)

By Debbie Mitchell

When I wrote the first post Television Survival Tips at the beginning of summer it started out as a way for me to share a few of the many lessons I learned during my 20 plus years in television. The plan was to continually update you with these lessons overtime.  However, my summer series  Tell me..."How Did You Get Into Television?" gave me the opportunity to share and learn from others in the industry a few lessons that I think will help anyone pursuing a career in television.  I have said this before and will say it again... I have found that working hard can take you far, but there are a few other important tips for survival in any business, but mandatory in the television business. So, here are the latest tips for television survival.  These tips are courtesy the professionals who have worked and succeeded in the challenging and sometimes crazy business of TV.  They all answered this question.... What are your top three tips for television survival?

Lora Wiley-Lennartz- National/International Executive Producer

Less drama- more output – Stay out of office politics. Don’t get dragged into other people’s gripes and grudges. The time you spend getting sucked into other people’s problems is less time you are spending being productive in your own work.

Make it happen – No excuses. Your supervisor does not want to hear why things won’t happen. If you can’t get it done one way be creative and find another.

Always have a backup plan. Even when your plan works perfectly, at some point in their career, a TV producer ALWAYS get the rug pulled out from under them at the last minute at least once. 6 Hours to taping and your guests all cancelled? Always have some ideas you can run with in a few hours time in case that happens.

Patrick Riley- Independent Personality/Producer/Writer

Don’t lose yourself - while giving more than 100% percent sometimes to your client or employer (even if it means losing sleep to achieve a step in your passion lane).

Don’t take it all so personally - Often, when you are working for a media shop, the direction is owned by the respective media shop. Learn how they want it done; identify how you can slide your influence into the mix; get the project done under deadline.

Stay up on the technological advances – whether computers; mobile gadgets; research engines; etc.

Matt Kugelman-Video Editor, CBS: This Morning Show

Learn to fix many problems- There’s always going to be issues with the footage that’s handed to you.  Whether it’s shaky, the microphone wasn’t turned on, or there’s simply not enough to work with.  Learn to fix as many problems as you can and never throw anyone under the bus.

Never miss a deadline- When you realize your deadline is less than thirty minutes away, start throwing footage into your timeline as fast as you can.  Go back and make it perfect later if there’s time.  Uneven audio and a sloppy edit are better than a giant black hole on TV. 

Don't be a grouch- Obviously, it’s important to be really creative and really fast, but I’ve learned it’s equally important to be easy to get along with.  No one wants to work with a grouch. 

Thanks guys!

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TV/Social Media Producer Debbie Mitchell is an Emmy nominated producer who is a member of the Producers Guild of America (PGA)  and  is currently a member of the James Beard Broadcast and New Media Awards Committee.  If you are a brand interested in blogger outreach campaigns, a blogger or personality interested in television placement follow Debbie Mitchell @TVProducerDeb or contact TheBloggerConnection.com.

More Ready4Air: (Summer Series)

Tell Me...How Did You Get Into Television?  (Cameraman)

Tell Me...How Did You Get Into Television? (Video Editor)

Tell Me...How Did You Get Into Television? (Broadcast Writer)

Tell Me...How Did You Get Into Television? (Freelance Producer)

Tell Me...How Did You Get Into Television? (Executive Producer)

Tell Me...How Did You Get Into Television? (National and International Producer)