Fake it ’til you make it… as a TV promo producer
In a feature that first appeared in Encore, Ten’s Ed Holmes tells us how to make good promos.
What does a promo producer do?
A promo producer is responsible for promoting television shows on air with the aim of enticing viewers to watch programs. In 30 seconds, you try and tell a story which excites, entices and intrigues a viewer to sample or try a show. A promo positions a TV show in an audience’s mind. Day-to-day you are conceptualising ideas for television shows. You write, edit and produce spots which promote programs. You are also reinforcing the brand of a network, helping to increase ratings and ultimately profits.
What skills do you need to be good at the job?
How can something be a cliché if no one’s ever heard it before?
Give the guy a break its a good piece. Good on you Ed.
Fake it til you make it? Sounds like that’s how he got through this interview!
Sounds to me like he works pretty hard
There’s an art to this. Just watch the current promos for The Block. The comic timing in the edit is brilliant – especially the way the voice-over gets answered by the visuals.I honestly don’t know who’s responsible but they deserve mention here.
Funny you should mention voice overs Peter, because Ed doesn’t even list them as someone he works with! Neither does he mention audio engineers who record them and create the soundtrack to promos!
Now ask a TV producer what promo producers do (to their show)…