I have found two producers from CH31. I had quick research on their background and what they have been doing…

Alison Murphy was an Executive producer of community television program ‘the Sauce’. The sauce is a youth current affairs program with sport, entertainment, science and music. She is 20 years old and has been volunteering in community media since 17yrs old at SYN (the Student Youth Network) working in a range of areas such as radio producing and presenting, television and most currently guest coordination.

Laura Kelly was an assistant Producer on C31’s national youth current affairs program, “The Sauce”, during 2005. She has only worked in TV/Video production since beginning of 2005 (hence she could not have an overview of what the last decade has been like). Currently, during 2006, she works as producer and co-creative director of Captivate Productions with Sally Biasiutti. Captivate is a very small DVD production house, specialising in creative and commercial projects such as promo DVDs, filming events and running media workshops.

My Questions & their Answers….

KIM: How has the production business changed in a low budget environment over the past ten years?

- Ally Murphy: I have only been involved in community radio and television for 3 years and in those three years the reception from community and government has grown exponentially in quite a positive direction.

KIM: Is it more difficult to finance a project today than it was ten years ago?

- Ally Murphy: I think it is easier these days because of all the grants and sponsorship you can acquire. I believe that each year we become more of a consumer society and companies love the thought that our program has a demographic of 14-26yrs of age (disposable income earners).

KIM: What strategies do you employ to deal with these issues?

- Laura Kelly: The main strategy I have used as a producer facing these challenges is strong organisation. I make sure that before each project, we get a thorough brief from a client on what they expect as an outcome, what budget they are looking at, and what timeline they would like to work on. As a small business, another strategy that is useful in sourcing work is networking, creating relationships with other people working in the media, community TV and film sector.

- Ally Murphy: We hit people that like to squander money to promote products that a relevant to our integrity and audience market.

KIM: What has been the impact of new technologies like HD cameras & desktop editing systems….?

- Laura Kelly: Again, I can’t comment on what it was like working in production before the advent of these technologies. But I can say that desktop editing systems such as Final Cut Pro or Adobe Premier make it possible for small companies like C31 to exist and operate without enormous outlay costs. We can create professional outcomes from home nowadays.

- Ally Murphy: The new technology that impacts community television is DIGITAL!!! It’s shocking! Hehehe you should check out channel 31뭩 site it got some info about it there also the CBAA are a great resource for information about community media.

KIM: What would be the most advantage and disadvantage working in low budget production compare to high budget production?

- Laura Kelly: I worked as an assistant producer on C31’s youth current affairs show, The Sauce. There was basically no budget, and we relied on money from our own pockets to fund the building of the set, buying mini DV tapes, transport, phone calls and website development. The advantage to having a small budget was that we were in total control of our own production. Because the show was voluntary, we also had no trouble attracting enthusiastic crew and cast. Working on a low budget tests you a lot, and you have to prove yourself more.
Disadvantages of the low budget included strain on time and finances.

- Ally Murphy: I have never worked on a high budget production before but from what I have seen it’s a lot less stressful. Working with no money really takes it toll. All the crew working on the sauce have had to juggle part time jobs, uni and a whole heap of other commitments. Also whist being a student you don’t have much extra cash to just go out and buy mini dv tapes or batteries or random bits to get stories together or to help out with the set etc.

KIM: Given a choice, would you rather work on low or high budget production? why?

Laura Kelly: I would like to work on a high budget production to gauge the differences between low and high budget productions.

- Ally Murphy: High budget for sure. I feel I have earned my stripes working on low budget programs and its time to move up and experience life with functional equipment available studios, resources, contacts, industry credentials whilst getting paid a decent wage!

-End of Interview-

Now I have some thought how hard would it be working in low budget production as student. However, the low budget production producers are very possitive about their production although they struggle with their tiny budget. I should think that working in low budget productions (in community TV/short films/promo DVDs, such as those created by Captivate Productions) are great because there is a lot of energy, most people are quite young and looking to gain experience in the industry. This could mean that everyone goes above and beyond what is expected of them, because they are eager to learn and to add to their portfolio. I suppose working in low budget production is as great as working in high budget production as long as you have the passion to make something beautiful…