"What does it take to get to 'Producer' status? Does it take a long list of accomplishments to get that title? Can an 'artist/game addict' get such a position?"

Submitted by: Carlos Granito

Answered by: Rod Fung (producer, Sierra On-Line)

"Sierra Studios producers come from a very diverse background -- some first started their Sierra careers in other capacities such as composers, programmers, or artists. Other Sierra producers have come from the motion picture and television industries.

"All of these individuals have skills in management, as well as experience in the production/development cycle. Looking at our current roster of producers here at Sierra Studios, we have someone with a background in music composition, we have a person with a background as a graphic artist, one is a former television producer for Fox, one a ballet dancer, and myself, a cinematographer.

"As an example of the diversity of our producers here, I can give you a little bit of my own history. I have a BA in Communications and an MA in Cinema Production (film school), I worked as a director of photography in the film industry for a number of years. I came to Sierra (Oakhurst) eight years ago, first working as a video artist in our Creative Services department. I then became the studio director for Sierra's first digital studio. Later, I moved into Development as the lead artist on Police Quest 4: Open Season. I was then fortunate enough to become the art director for Police Quest: SWAT. I transferred to Sierra Studios (Bellevue) a few years ago to join the Phantasmagoria 2 team, filming the Alien World sequences as well as assisting the art department.

"Since that time, I have been the producer for the upcoming Leisure Suit Larry's Casino game, and I'm currently producing (**editor's note: game name removed so that Rod and I don't get shot by PR for leaking an unannounced title**).

"There is no defined path as to how one becomes a producer. You'll just need the required skills to produce a title from start to finish, a complementary background, and a great love for games.

"Thanks for your inquiry!"

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