San Francisco

What is an average salary for main show producers at the big 3?

I am entertaining an offer, but am not really sure what to expect; to be honest, the tentative offer seems like a whole hell of a lot of cash for just being a producer.

BTW, I obviously know that San Francisco is a very expensive place to live.

John -- Check your PM

I cannot believe you're asking such a question on a public internet site.

Do your homework. Check the union scales. And if it's a personal services contract, beware.

[Another side]

Assuming you still have an offer. That wasn't very bright.

[Produce man]

God, this is too easy.

[facts]

Originally posted by upandown:
I cannot believe you're asking such a question on a public internet site.

U&D, you should probably also explain to the fellow why you feel that way.

No, thanks.
Nor you, please.

Must be a fake post. When was the last time any of you said, 'You know, that's a lot of money. I don't think I should be making that much. Maybe I should ask around to see if I can make less.'

Thanks for the flaming jackasses.

I have never worked for a union shop; thus I don't know where to look for accurate union pay scales.

The offer is tentative. I am curious about the cash, because it is more than three times what I am making now; and am more worried about getting seriously in over my head.

[Spike]

Originally posted by john_galt:
I am curious about the cash, because it is more than three times what I am making now; and am more worried about getting seriously in over my head.

Then you already are. You should turn down that offer.

[McCovey Cove Returns]

Smells like KRON...

Originally posted by john_galt:
Thanks for the flaming jackasses.

I have never worked for a union shop; thus I don't know where to look for accurate union pay scales.

The offer is tentative. I am curious about the cash, because it is more than three times what I am making now; and am more worried about getting seriously in over my head.

John Galt -- if you are serious about getting the offer, congrats. But look at it from a different angle: if you were offered(even tentatively) the job, that means you applied for it. If you apply for a job, especially in San Francisco, you should what to expect in responsibilites and salary. Now, if your post had been, 'I think I'm being lowballed,' everyone here would have understood. But instead you are concerned about getting too much. That rings a lot of warning bells.

[Stack It]

Originally posted by Spike:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by john_galt:
I am curious about the cash, because it is more than three times what I am making now; and am more worried about getting seriously in over my head.

Then you already are. You should turn down that offer.</font>[/QUOTE]I'll echo that statement and elaborate. If you think you're not up for the job, then don't take it. While it's a hell of a career move, burning yourself out is not worth it. I've seen this happen to producers, they make a huge jump and burnout. Last case I saw was a few years ago, someone went from Reno to Phoenix. Said person then quit because of burnout. Friend of mine got a main gig in DC, got tired of the stress and BS and quit after about one year.

As far as money goes, what you think are "BIG" dollars aren't in the Bay Area. You need 70,000-80,000 to get by on your own, renting a place. I know a few folks who can do it on 60,000, but they have one heck of a commute to work.

[Union Label]

Base pay for writers at KGO-TV is in the upper $70K range and jobs are covered by ABC/NABET-CWA contract. Producer positions are no longer covered by union contract.

Educate yourself on how much it costs to live in the San Francisco Bay Area before you sign on the dotted line. Trust me, it isn't cheap! Any decent home within a reasonable commute of San Francisco will cost over $600K.

[miss hap]

John G

I've seen that market chew up producers from other states.

Not knowing how your personal life stacks up, I'd suggest getting a gig in that shop as a freelance or full-time news writer. That move allows you to get to know the market (which is really 6 markets in one: oakland is not atherton)and the shop that's interested - then go from there.

I worked in the market for a couple of years and the producers who made it bubbled up from the ranks, while the ones who rode in from other markets rode out with their heads handed to them. (And you would hate to be fired after slapping down first month's rent, last month's rent and the deposit on a year lease for an apartment renting at $1800/month).

That's my two cents.

Nevermind U&D, he's just going through serious Hap withdrawl.

[Sultanosurf]

You guys are nuts. Boise to SF is a great move. Plus union perks.

So you commute from Walnut Creek (Or Sacramento)

Good luck.

[McCovey Cove Returns]

Sultano: producers aren't in the union, at least at KGO and KTVU.

U&D has decided to be a self-righteous jerk and policeman of this entire website apparently..

WHATEVER.

[Sultanosurf]

Oh, so in that case, they should stay in Blase and make their fortune betting the nags at Le Bois. ('Guess the union deal has changed, my bad)

Now, a serious answer for JG. The real consideration on moving to The City is your family size. For somebody single, it's a no-brainer, despite the expense. But if you have family, maybe you can pry more money out of the folks on the Bench to stay there. There are lots worse places to grow up.

As for you being in over your head, only you can answer that question. If you come in to produce one of the evening shows, you'll likely be getting the gig over a resentful applicant from in-house, which can always be fun. But if the offer is legit, wouldn't you kick yourself if you passed on working top 5 in the world's most beautiful city?

[Spike]

Originally posted by Sultanosurf:
Boise to SF is a great move.

It's a great move for somebody who realizes it's a great move. It's not a great move for someone who is afraid he might get paid too much. That person obviously has no idea what he's getting into and would be in over his head. Therefore he should not take the job and should try for something smaller until he's more sure of himself.

Not to mention the stupidity of posting such a thing on a message board in such a manner that he would be so easily identifiable to the managers involved. Even if that's not his real name he used, they'll still recognize the situation. I agree with AS: I wonder if he'll still have an offer after people at the station in question read this.

And I can't blame upandown for his response, either. He has probably come to expect a certain level of experience, professionalism and common sense among the people with whom he works. Given the possibility that Galt might be talking about HIS shop, I can understand his apprehension.

Hey John, you should delete this thread. Seriously.

[Stack It]

One more thing, I wouldn't be using the term "Big 3" when talking about SF. You just eliminated KTVU, which is one of the strongest FOX affiliates in the country when it comes to doing news. A Big J shop, but not quite as much any more now that the consultants have much more input.

[Stack Away]

Originally posted by Stack It:
One more thing, I wouldn't be using the term "Big 3" when talking about SF. You just eliminated KTVU, which is one of the strongest FOX affiliates in the country when it comes to doing news. A Big J shop, but not quite as much any more now that the consultants have much more input.

How do you know the poster was eliminating KTVU? I think it's perfectly acceptable to use the term "Big 3" in the Bay Area... KGO, KPIX, and KTVU!

Yeah, I know this will start a flame war... but I *had* to throw it in.

[ December 13, 2006, 07:47 PM: Message edited by: Stack Away ]

[quote]Originally posted by Head Janitor:

John Galt -- if you are serious about getting the offer, congrats. But look at it from a different angle: if you were offered(even tentatively) the job, that means you applied for it. If you apply for a job, especially in San Francisco, you should what to expect in responsibilites and salary. Now, if your post had been, 'I think I'm being lowballed,' everyone here would have understood. But instead you are concerned about getting too much. That rings a lot of warning bells.

I never applied for the position I have. They called me, made me an offer and I accepted. You don't always have to apply.

[Stack It]

Originally posted by Stack Away:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Stack It:
One more thing, I wouldn't be using the term "Big 3" when talking about SF. You just eliminated KTVU, which is one of the strongest FOX affiliates in the country when it comes to doing news. A Big J shop, but not quite as much any more now that the consultants have much more input.

How do you know the poster was eliminating KTVU? I think it's perfectly acceptable to use the term "Big 3" in the Bay Area... KGO, KPIX, and KTVU!

Yeah, I know this will start a flame war... but I *had* to throw it in.</font>[/QUOTE]It's easy to figure out. Especially, when you work at a station in the San Francisco market. In fact, I know exactly what job the original poster is up for.

[The Mockingbird]

This thread should be a giant object lesson to anyone who is in the phase of getting a new contract.

When the fish is about to hit on the line, that's probably a bad time to shout, "WOO, A FISH IS ABOUT TO HIT THE LINE!"