Above the bottom line: understanding Australian screen content producers

• Published in: Media international Australia incorporating Culture & policy Vol. 136; no. 136; pp. 90 - 102
• Main Authors: Cameron, Allan, Verhoeven, Deb, Court, David
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London, England SAGE Publications 01.08.2010
• Subjects: Attitudes to work; Australia; Australia: Culture; Australians; Content analysis; Film industry; Film producers and directors; Media studies; Motivation; Producers; Vocational education and training
• ISSN: 1329-878X; 2200-467X
• DOI: 10.1177/1329878X1013600112

The recently completed Australian Screen Producer Survey provides the most current and detailed picture of the culture, motivations and aspirations of a highly influential sector of the content production industries. Drawing upon the results of the survey, this article reflects on the historical and theoretical difficulties entailed in defining the producer as a professional category, before outlining some of the survey's key findings. In particular, it examines producers' demographic and sectoral profile, analyses their attitudes towards the relative importance of education and experience, and explores their underlying motivations. Amongst other findings, the survey reveals a tendency towards idealism among Australian producers that would appear to be at odds with the financial realities of the business. It therefore offers a variety of stakeholders (including government and educational institutions, as well as producers themselves) with the opportunity to reflect upon the future shape and direction of the Australian media industry.