Film producer

A film producer oversees and delivers a film project to all relevant parties while preserving the integrity, voice and vision of the film. They will also often take on some financial risk by using their own money, especially during the pre-production period, before a film is fully financed.

The producer is often actively involved throughout all major phases of the filmmaking process, from inception and development to completion and delivery of a film project.[1] However, an idea or concept for a film can originate with any individual, including a screenwriter, a director or a producer.

Role

A producer begins by obtaining the rights to create or co-create a feature-length screenplay. The producer oversees the process, which includes coordinating, supervising and controlling major aspects of the project. This includes fundraising and hiring key roles such as the casting director or film director. They will also influence the hiring of other personnel such as the UPM or line producer and accountant. [2]

“ From the first draft script, through all stages of production, to the final dub, success or failure rests largely in the hands of the producer. Experience in this field does not come overnight. Rather it is born out of long years of creative and technical know-how, and above all a love for the job and all that goes with it, together with the ability to choose the right talent with which to surround himself. ”
 
— Julian Wintle, [3]

Comparison to other producer roles

An executive producer is usually a person representing a financial investor in a film project, such as a film studio or a distributor, but who is not directly involved in the day to day production. It can also be someone with other special interests in the project, such as the author of the book that the film is based on, or one of the film's key actors who has been instrumental in persuading the studio to do the film. In such cases, the executive producer credit is mainly honorary.

Associate producers and co-producers are also separate from the role of producer. They also support the producer to some degree, although not to the extent of an executive producer.

A line producer is a hands-on role which controls the day-to-day financial and production concerns and is there to support the vision of the director during production.

References

Notes
  1. ^ "Summary Report for: Producers". ONET Online. http://online.onetcenter.org/link/summary/27-2012.01. Retrieved 17 December 2010. 
  2. ^ "Actors, producers, and directors". US Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition. http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos093.htm. Retrieved 07 November 2010. 
  3. ^ The Avengers Forever: Julian Wintle Retrieved 2011-09-10
Further reading
  • The Producer's Business Handbook by John J. Lee, Jr., Focal Press (2000)
  • From Reel to Deal by Dov S-S Simens, Warner Books (2003)