Professional Job Roles

Types of producers

Producer

Responsibilities

Producers have overall control of a film’s production, bringing together the screenwriters, director, cast, finances and production team. Their primary responsibility is to foster an environment in which the creative talents of the cast and crew can flourish- Producers are therefore ultimately accountable for the success of the finished film. The producer’s responsibilities span all four phases of production.

 Research and Development- Producers are often responsible for coming up with the underlying premise of a production, or for selecting the screenplay. Producers secure the necessary rights, select the screenwriter and story editing team, and raise the development financing, and supervise the development process.

Pre-production- Producers typically bring together the key members of the creative team, including the Director, cinematographer and principal cast. They assist the executive producers to raise finance for the production. Once this is in place, they select other key personnel, such as the Line Producer, associate producer and production manager, as well as the remaining heads of departments, such as production designer, editor and composer. Producers also participate in location scouting, and approve the final shooting script, production schedule and budget.

Production- Producers are responsible for the day to day operations of the producing team, though many practical functions are delegated to the line producer and any associate producers. Producers are also in constant communication with the Director and with other key creative personnel, on/off set.

Skills

They must be good businesswomen/men with the ability to spot and deal with potential problems before they materialize and the drive to do whatever it takes to get the film made. The Producer's primary role is to oversee and deliver a film project to all relevant parties while preserving the integrity, voice and vision of the film. A film producer or movie producer begins by attaining the rights to, creating or co-creating a feature-length screenplay, thus initiating the role of producer in the process of narrative feature film making. The producer oversees the process, which includes coordinating, supervising and controlling major aspects of the project. These areas include fundraising, hiring key above-the-line roles (such as the casting director, film director), influencing the hiring of some of the below-the-line personnel (such as the UPM or line producer, accountant, etc.) and arranging for distribution. From inception through development to the completion and delivery of a film project, the producer is often actively involved throughout all major phases of the filmmaking process.