Film and TV drama
Studio executive
What does a Studio Executive do?
A studio executive is a senior leader in a film studio such as Warner Bros., Paramount Pictures or a Bollywood studio in Mumbai. A group of studio executives lead and manage the studio. Studio executives receive pitches from agents who are selling their film scripts. In some cases, ideas are pitched in-house from a producer who already works for the studio. The studio executive then makes decisions about which films go into production and are responsible for the financing, producing, marketing and distribution of them.
A studio production is a film produced through a system in which the studio usually owns both the production and the distribution arms. Once the studio executive has decided to develop a project, they appoint a development producer who will work on the screenplay, create budgets and schedules and possibly some concept art. The project may then be “green lighted” and go into production.
The studio executive will oversee several projects with multimillion budgets at the same time. They may work in studios across the world.
What's a studio executive good at?
- Leadership: strong leadership skills and the ability to make clear decisions
- Business knowledge: watch a lot of films, know the trends and current topics across the international market and be aware of the gaps in the market and the projects in development across the industry
- Editorial judgement: Have a strong knowledge and understanding of what will work, be able to problem solve, know when to take risks and fight for ideas that will be successful
- Understanding of production: understand how films are made, production schedules, timelines, distribution and marketing and the decisions which need to be made throughout the process of production and distribution
- Communication: be able to work collaboratively and foster creativity in others; have strong leadership skills and create a good workplace environment
- Legal and finance: understand the legal processes behind intellectual property and rights, have the financial knowledge and ability to handle large budgets and meet deadlines
How do I become a studio executive?
Studio executives are at the top of their game. typically involves progression through any or some of the script roles - reading, writing or editing roles. Many also have prior experience of working in other areas of film and TV production. You can to apply to ScreenSkills’ Trainee Finder
At school or college: If you want to go to university, A-levels or Highers in drama and theatre, English, film studies and media studies are useful. Or you might want to take a Level 3 vocational qualification such as a:
- BTEC National Extended Diploma in Creative Digital Media Production.
- Aim Awards Diploma in Creative and Digital Media
- OCR Technical Diploma/Extended Diploma in Business
- OCR Technical Diploma in Digital Media (Moving Image and Audio Production)
- BTEC National Diploma in Film and Television Production
- BTEC National Extended Diploma in Creative Digital Media Production
- UAL Diploma/Extended Diploma in Creative Media Production and Technology
Build a portfolio: Create work that you can show off to admissions tutors or employers. This is essential. Go to build your writing portfolio to learn how.
Get a degree: Degrees in English or psychology are relevant, or you might be interesting in screenwriting courses. Have a look at ScreenSkills’ list of recommended courses and select one in film and TV or search for one in screenwriting. We recognise courses with our ScreenSkills Select award where they offer training in the relevant software, dedicated time to building a portfolio and have strong links with the film and TV industries.
Take a short course: Hone your skills and develop your insight into screenwriting by taking a specialist course such as:
Go to the list of training courses recommended by ScreenSkills and see if there is one in screenwriting.
Network: Go to ScreenSkills’ events like Open Doors to meet people working in development departments. Show them your portfolio and give them your contact details. Go to how to network well for some tips.
Network online: Create a LinkedIn profile. See if there are Facebook pages or other social media groups for people making films or TV in your area. There might even be groups for runners and trainees. Join them. Create a ScreenSkills profile. There are a lot of crewing agencies that will charge you to be on their books. Sign up to the free ones initially. Wales Screen, Northern Ireland Screen and other areas offer free crew databases. Find a film office near you and get connected. If you do sign up to paid sites, make sure they specialise in the areas in which you’re interested.
Get business skills:
The National Film and Television School offers some courses related to business that help you to learn skills to make a transition from screenwriter to development producer.
