We all know that the most effective partnerships involve a creative mind (in this case, we are referring to the director) partnered with an administrative guru – cue the producer! Working alongside the director in every aspect of the film is the front man responsible for project financial structure, scene creation, hiring key personnel and arranging for distribution. Without any one of these, the film would most surely be a bust, so the producer is the glue that holds a film project together from pre-production to the big screen.
Producers are credited with the greatest degree of control throughout the film-making process in current day production. There are several producers on any given set. These include the:
(a) film producer, who oversees everything – even the director.
(b) line producer who is in charge of day to day concerns.
(c) executive producer who might be a major investor, but is the equivalent of a CEO in corporate America.
(d) co-producer who may only provide an investment and assist the executive producer.
(e) associate producer whose title may be given honorarium for a financial contribution but who more often times assists in tasks delegated from the producer.
(f) assistant producer who works under the associate producer.
(g) the administrative producer who advises the board of directors and publicity activities and production management.
Like the director, the film producer will have a hand in the project from pre-production through to completion. Other producers are likely to be in for the long haul as well. Managing the daily activities and responsibilities of every last person you see listed in the movie theater credits is a big task and requires a focus and finesse that only a producer can bring to the table.
What producers do you favor? Do you notice that they seem to be connected with certain directors?
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