Jake Seal Talks About What Every First-Time Producer Should Know

In this podcast episode, Jake Seal dives deep into the world of first-time film producing. With real stories, expert advice, and hard-earned lessons, he breaks down what it truly takes to bring a film to life. From budgeting to team building, Jake shares the must-know truths every aspiring producer needs before stepping onto a set.

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Jake Seal talks about what every first time producer should
know how. I'm Jake Seal, and if you're reading this,
you're probably stepping into the world of producing for the
very first time. First of all, congratulations. Producing can be
one of the most rewarding roles in the entire film
making process, but I won't sugarcoat it. It's also one

(00:22):
of the toughest. I've made plenty of mistakes in my
early days, and now I'd like to share a few
insights that I believe every first time producer should know
before jumping in. The first thing I always tell newcomers
is this, know what you're getting into. Producing isn't just
about calling the shots or putting your name on the credits.

(00:43):
It's about being the person who brings every piece of
the puzzle together. You're responsible for securing financing, hiring the
right team, keeping the production on track, and seeing the
project all the way through to distribution. It's both creative
and logistical, and you will often be the one solving
problems no one else even sees. Coming relationships matter more

(01:06):
than you might think. I can't stress that enough. In
this industry, your network is your power. Whether it's the director,
the script writer, the cinematographer, or even the guy running
cables onset. How you treat people will follow you from
one project to the next. Be someone others can trust.

(01:26):
Respect goes a long way, especially when tensions rise and
you need your team to pull together. One of the
biggest challenges new producers faces balancing creativity with reality. Everyone
wants the best cast, the most scenic locations, and all
the fancy equipment, but you have to work within a budget.

(01:46):
That means making tough decisions. I've had to say no
to scenes I loved simply because they weren't feasible. It hurts,
but it's part of the job. A smart producer knows
how to keep the vision alive while still protecting the
production financially. You should also expect things to go wrong,
and I mean really wrong. Weather delays, tech issues, schedule conflicts,

(02:10):
They're all part of the game. What sets a great
producer apart is how they respond. Don't panic. Be the
calm one in the chaos. Your crew will look to
you for guidance when things start to unravel. Keep your cool,
think fast, and be ready to adapt. That kind of
leadership builds trust and loyalty, and lastly, always remember the

(02:35):
job isn't done when you call that's a wrap. You
need a plan for what happens next. Who's going to
see your film, how are you going to get it
into the hands of an audience or a distributor. To many,
first time producers focus only on making the film and
forget about selling it. That's a big mistake. Think about

(02:55):
your audience and distribution from day one. Being a first
time and producer is no small task, but it's also
an amazing opportunity to learn, grow and leave your mark.
Stay curious, stay humble, and above all, stay passionate. You've
got this