A Day in the Life of a Producer for News Channel & ABC Radio | Roles, Skills, Advice

Have you ever considered becoming a producer? Or perhaps you’re not too sure what a producer actually does?

Well you’re in luck! We’ve interviewed a radio producer to find out all the little insights to this career.

So keep reading to find out what a producer does!

Meet Hannah

What is a Producer?

Steps to Becoming a Producer

Future Outlook

Best Thing & Worst Thing

Advice for Aspiring Producers

Meet Hannah

Hannah Kwon is a Producer for News Channel and ABC Radio. One of her current focuses are building news streams for smart speakers alongside curating daily news updates.

How did you end up in this role?

Hannah took up essentially any opportunity that came her way, to make sure she got experience in various areas of media and producing. From volunteering at her university’s student radio station, 2SER, and taking on a mentorship program with SBS, Hannah was exposed to different roles in media.

“I was lucky to be in the SBS Media Mentorship Program that Macquarie was running, because that program highlighted culturally, and linguistically diverse students.

“It provided a lot of different workshops, so that was quite a launching pad for me.”

Ending up at the ABC

In terms of Hannah’s role as a producer, she was introduced to the ABC through a digital internship which led to being hired as a news operator’s assistant. 

“I actually wanted to be the editorial intern, but it turns out being a digital intern led me to where I am now!” Hannah said.

As a news operator’s assistant, Hannah was in charge of scrolling the auto-cue (the script followed by the news reader), printing scripts, loading the supergraphics to ensure that the news headlines were accurate before going live. Although this is considered a low ranking role, it built the foundations for Hannah to get into her current position as a producer!

Studies and Experience

Hannah studied a Bachelor of Media (Journalism and Non-Fiction Writing) at Macquarie University. She completed a range of internships and placement opportunities throughout the degree.

Learn more about the Bachelor of Media and Communications at Macquarie here!

What made you want to work in this industry?

“I’ve always been drawn to writing and creative pursuits. I loved watching and analysing movies as a kid, and always liked to think about the behind the scenes of different creative projects!” Hannah explained. 

What is a Producer?

A producer is someone who works with media content and current news to coordinate different interviews and opinions into a segment for TV, news, radio, websites, or other online platforms.

Roles and Responsibilities

The jobs of a producer are limitless! From coordinating production facilities (like filming and staging equipment), to writing up news announcements and event commentary, you become fast at picking roles up. 

“I do a lot of editing for audio, making sure everything is ready for the stream so it won’t date, because you don’t know when people are listening! 

“As a producer you’re calling a lot of people, and generally I’m communicating with my executive producer, making sure I’ve got what they had in mind for the stream,” Hannah said. 

On a day to day basis, producers are reading through content and stories, alongside gathering different interviews and opinions. 

Hannah said, “I look at different news rundowns from TV to radio, mostly focusing on radio, and look at different stories of the day and see which ones are most relevant. I then submit it into another program to make sure it goes through to the stream.”

Which industries can this career be found in?

Producers are mostly focused within the media and arts industries. Producers can also be involved in performing arts, advertising and marketing, and public relations!

Characteristics and Qualities 

As a producer you need to be an allrounder, with skills in writing, speaking, working both independently and collaboratively, researching, and creative thinking.

Producers work in such dynamic, and often high pressure, environments, so having adaptable and widespread skills are definitely important!

Hannah also mentioned a number of skills that you develop and become better at as a producer:

• Being hardworking
• Making sure you are punctual!
• The ability to work under pressure
• Being able to work in a fast paced environment
• Having a good attitude and a willingness to learn

Steps to Becoming a Producer

What should you study?

The main area of knowledge that is required for a career in producing, is communication and media across visual, written and oral platforms!

English is also vital, alongside some knowledge in technology and computers. 

Although there are no qualification or certification requirements, most producers will complete some level of tertiary education in media, journalism, production, communications or arts. 

Check out some of the different media and communications degrees you can study:

• Bachelor of Communications at UTS, major in Journalism or Media Arts and Production
• Bachelor of Media at UNSW
• Bachelor of Communication at WSU
• Bachelor of Media and Communications at Macquarie
• Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Advanced Studies (Media and Communications) at USYD
• Bachelor of Communication at UQ

How long does it take to become a Producer?

Depending on the course you take, you can expect to spend anywhere from 3 to 5 years studying in the field of media and communications. 

However, becoming a producer is not often a career you can enter straight after completing your studies. As it’s a fairly high ranking position, you could anticipate working in media for up to 5 or more years before becoming a producer.

But don’t let that deter you from seeking a role as a producer — the hard work will pay off!

Industry Knowledge

There are a number of different programs you have to use as a producer, but these will vary among different companies and types of producers. 

For Hannah, who focuses mostly on radio production, she uses ENPS to gather news rundowns, Radio-Assist to edit sound (which is like Adobe Audition), and CoreMedia and Webster.

What will this career look like in the future?

How in-demand is this career?

As there are only a couple producers within every domain of a company, like Hannah’s position in ABC as a radio producer, there isn’t a great deal of demand for the job.

JobOutlook also highlights a moderate level of future growth for producers, so you can expect there to be competition for a role like this.

Are there opportunities to grow or specialise?

Getting into a producer role is already a level of growth in itself! 

Nonetheless, Hannah said, “When you’re in the corporate industry there’s always a ladder to climb. When you achieve something there’s always the next thing, like going from producer to executive producer.”

Salary

The average salary for producers (or Artistic Directors, Media Producers and Presenters) sits at $109,000+ annually.

Influential Trends

Although a lot of roles within the media and production industry are being automated, the position of a producer is still valued as it’s a job that requires collaboration and the management of content. 

The Future of this Industry

Hannah said, “I do feel like with everything I’ve seen, the future of the industry is heading online… I think everything will stay as we know it, but it’ll transition onto different platforms.”

As the projected growth for Producers is moderate, we can look at the changes in production, from print and TV to online platforms!

“We will evolve to find new and even more creative ways of storytelling, and I think that’s pretty exciting… and I see the future of the industry becoming more diverse too,” Hannah added.

Best Thing & Worst Thing

What do you enjoy most about this job?

“I really enjoy the variety and being able to consume all the different news stories of the day. I think my favourite part about it is just the creativity of being a producer. I love the collaborative process of it — seeing something start from an idea that then turns into a finished product!” Hannah explained 

What do you feel is the worst part of this job?

“The lack of diversity that I see in the newsroom, or even when I’m watching TV… of course there are major efforts being done to change that. I would also love to see more women, and more young people in the industry,” Hannah said.

Advice for Aspiring Producers

“My advice would be, if you really want to do it, then you can do it!”

Generally speaking, you need a hardworking and diligent approach to work as a Producer, as you’re put into a fast paced environment where you need to perform efficiently under pressure. 

However, getting into the media industry has its own obstacles.

“Even if you get rejected, finding other pathways is really important… Just volunteer wherever you can, show initiative,” Hannah said. 

What do you wish you had known before you started working in this career?

“I would’ve liked to know what the work environment is like within the media industry… There are a lot of times when you’re put into unfamiliar environments. Uni was a lot of writing… I would’ve liked to experience the real work environment a little more, and even gain more practical skills through uni,” Hannah said.

So if you really want to know what you’re in for before graduating from uni, put yourself out there! Try to get as much experience in the real world before you leave the safety net that is university.

Why should people consider taking on this career?

If you have an interest in media and digital communication, a career as a producer would keep you stimulated and invested in the industry.

Being a producer is all about handing the information and content that is distributed to various audiences and platforms. So as a producer, you’re given the power to curate this!

Of course, it can be a demanding job in a rather high pressure industry, but Hannah said, “In any career there will be times where you question if this is the right thing for you. Whenever you’re having a bad day, remember how you felt when you first got the job.”

Job Flexibility

Hannah spends most days at the office, but works from home occasionally due to COVID restrictions.

“I find that I work better in an office environment… I like working around others and forming connections with people!” Hannah said.

What is the workplace culture like? 

“It is a really cool environment, in the sense that the news is happening right where you are! It’s great to be surrounded by people that love what you love, and are so invested in the news.

“However, I’d like to see less barriers to employment for women, people of colour, and younger people, as the workplace can be hierarchical at times,” Hannah concluded.

Nandini Dhir is a Content Writer at Art of Smart and is currently studying a Bachelor of Arts (majoring in Marketing) and a Bachelor of Advanced Studies (Media and Communications), as a Dalyell Scholar, at Sydney University. She enjoys covering local issues in her area and writing about current events in the media. Nandini has had one of her pieces published in an article with the Sydney Morning Herald. In her free time, Nandini loves doing calligraphy, ballet, and sewing, or is otherwise found coddling her cats.