Shania Banton Being a Producer and Director
it requires a fairly extensive journey to break into the (film and tv) industry as a Director or Producer. I capitalize on my skills as a producer in the most saturated field out there.
1.) What made you choose to pursue a career in the photo industry?
I work as a Director and Producer within the TV/Film/Digital space. While my passion is to eventually work exclusively in TV and Film Production, it requires a fairly extensive journey to break into that industry as a Director or Producer. In the meantime, I capitalize on my skills as a producer in the most saturated field out there - digital.
We are responsible for creating timelines.
Photo: Courtesy of Shania Banton
2.) Break it down for us. What does a day in your position look like?
A day in the life of a producer is never the same because every project is so different. The one thing that remains consistent, though, is that we are the facilitators of each component of a project, each of which has numerous moving parts. We are responsible for creating timelines, hiring crew for every phase of the project (pre-production, production, and post-production), ensuring we think of everything the production may need, in order to have it on hand, and managing budgeting, scheduling, and reviewing the project at each stage.
I recall working independently when I first started as a producer
3.) How do you define success in your field?
To me, success in this field is as simple as being paid to work in it consistently. I recall working independently when I first started as a producer, which basically means working for free in order to gain credit and experience in the industry. Over time, you will earn the trust of those in the industry, and you can begin earning a rate that you set. Being able to consistently earn what you deserve in this industry is considered achieving success
My ultimate endgame is to say goodbye to working a nine to five
4.) What’s your endgame?
My ultimate endgame is to say goodbye to working a nine to five, and instead work full-time as a Director and Producer. This means that the projects and gigs I take on are credited as Directed by Shania “Just Shania” Banton
Being able to grow an independent project shows them that you can do it yourself, which enables a “yes” to come your way much more easily.
5.) What’s one resource that you wish you had right now?
Unfortunately, to make anything at the scale I am at, requires money. With the ability to fund projects yourself, you don’t need to wait for a “yes” from networks or studios. Being able to grow an independent project shows them that you can do it yourself, which enables a “yes” to come your way much more easily.
https://www.youtube.com/@JustShania
I knew that I could land a job in this field when I started getting booked to produce other people’s projects.
6.) What was your “aha” moment where you realized that you could actually work in the photo industry?
I knew that I could land a job in this field when I started getting booked to produce other people’s projects. Once people were willing to pay my rate, it showed me that my skills were undeniable and that if I sought out projects at a salary I selected, someone would hire me and pay it.
I wish I had recognized that there are so many others like me out there and that it is okay to collaborate and learn from each other.
7.) What was something that you wish you would’ve known sooner?
I wish I realized sooner that it is okay to ask for help. I have always been so independent and such a self-starter that I didn’t tap into the resources and advice of those around me, instead, I insisted on learning from trial and error. I wish I had recognized that there are so many others like me out there and that it is okay to collaborate and learn from each other.
Just Shania LLC