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Jason Sirotin talks about his career as a producer and media content creator.  You can find and his businesses at the websites below and on his Twitter feed in the sidebar of this interview. 

What do you do for a living?

I own two businesses. One is a film and television production company called ECG Productions http://www.ecgprod.com and the other is a web design & development company called Brain Bytes Creative. http://www.brainbytescreative.com

How would you describe what you do?

I am a creator of all things media. I am a content creator in the film, television, and web space. I love connecting with different audiences across different platform.

What does your work entail?

Because of all the different things I do my work entails long days. Typically I work 16 hours a day five days a week and 8 hours a day two days a week. As a small business owner there is no such thing as a weekend. My main goal each week is to develop qualified leads for both of my businesses, then it’s a lot of creative writing and conceptual design as well as shoots and edits.

What’s a typical work week like?

See above.

How did you get started?

I got my first job in TV at 15 at a local cable access station in the small town of Noblesville, Indiana. I always new I wanted to make TV and movies and after that I never turned back. I worked in news, then ran a television network called XY.tv, and then I worked for media giant Howard Stern before I started these latest endeavors.

What do you like about what you do?

It’s never boring and it’s always exciting. I like creating things.

What do you dislike?

Paper work and technical writing.

How do you make money/or how are you compensated?

I get paid many different ways. Typically it’s per project. Sometimes it’s on a day rate. Over the years my directing day rate has gone from 500.00 a day to now which is 1800.00 a day.

How much money do Commercial Producers make?

Commercial producers can make in the high six figures if you are doing big brand work.

How much money did/do you make starting out as a Commercial Producer?

28,000 a year as a new videographer.

What education, schooling, or skills are needed to do this?

None!!! Go get a job. A recent study showed that film and television degrees were in the top five worthless degrees to have. You learn so much in the field. School for this is a waste of money. You are better off spending the money on gear and computers.

What is most challenging about what you do?

The hours and time commitment.

What is most rewarding?

Seeing your product in a theatre, on TV, or online.

What advice would you offer someone considering this career?

Learn as many different skill sets as possible. A good producer knows what every role on the set entails.

How much time off do you get/take?

None. But I’m an Entrepreneur and business is what gets me off. I have not had a vacation in five years.

What is a common misconception people have about what you do?

It’s glamourous. It is not!!!  There’s no denying what we do is cool and I have had the opportunity to work with some amazing people, but the days are long, hard, and it’s super stressful.

What are your goals/dreams for the future?

Make great media for the world to see.

What else would you like people to know about your job/career?

It’s a great way to make a living. It’s not easy though.


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