lets define a producer's role
- Thread starter victorian
- Start date
A producer can vary from someone who does only one little thing, like getting an actor on board to someone who's there every day on the set, taking care of any problem that comes up.
I THINK a producer is the person who organizes a project. It's the person who finds/hires everyone (i.e. Director, writer, actors, cameramen, etc.). A producer oversees the project, not from a creative perspective, but from a time/worker management point of view. A producer will have jobs like: setting up schedules, making sure everyone shows up on time, making sure the production runs smoothly and efficiently.
I've heard a lot of definitions of what a producer does, but I think that covers them all and might be the best definition.
I've heard a lot of definitions of what a producer does, but I think that covers them all and might be the best definition.
Line Producer
Technically that's a line producer, who works underneath a producer and completes tasks set by the producer.donald gregory said:
The producer is the head of a film from a business point of view. The producer's job is normally a thankless task that has little or no creative input. S/he is the guy who assembles the foundations for the production of a film.
Shot Renegade said:
That's the best definition right there.
Think of it this way, it's the directors film creatively and the producers film financially.
Poke
On indie shoots the roles tend to get a bit blured. More often than not, the writer/director will also take on the role of producer as well. This is one of the reasons that the producer's role is so often misunderstood.
The Producer is the person with overall control and responsibility for making the project happen. As such they are often the first person to attach to the project and the last person to leave; taking the project through development, doing the initial budgets, raising finance and then controlling the hiring of the creative team. Once into principle photography they will take overall responsibility for keeping the production on track and to budget. In post production, they are often the person who takes the role of playing devil's advocate with the editor and director, trying to ensure that the film stays true to the original commercial intentions.
The idea that the producer's role is not part of the creative process and is merely administrative, just isn't true. In effect, a good producer, more than anyone else on set, will determine the creative outcome of the whole project. The first thing I ever learnt in this business, is that the person who controls the money, controls the project. If they hire in the right people good stuff happens, if they don't, it don't.
The Producer is the person with overall control and responsibility for making the project happen. As such they are often the first person to attach to the project and the last person to leave; taking the project through development, doing the initial budgets, raising finance and then controlling the hiring of the creative team. Once into principle photography they will take overall responsibility for keeping the production on track and to budget. In post production, they are often the person who takes the role of playing devil's advocate with the editor and director, trying to ensure that the film stays true to the original commercial intentions.
The idea that the producer's role is not part of the creative process and is merely administrative, just isn't true. In effect, a good producer, more than anyone else on set, will determine the creative outcome of the whole project. The first thing I ever learnt in this business, is that the person who controls the money, controls the project. If they hire in the right people good stuff happens, if they don't, it don't.
That's not neccesarily creative. There's a difference between being 'part' of the creative process and doing what the director asked for and making the creative desicions yourself. Hiring the right people isn't necessarily a creative process...
Ok then. Lets talk about the indie producer. You're excited cause you just finished your script. The next move is to start the prepro. You discover that the prepro is mainly business, not creative. You get discouraged. How does one get motivated? In my case, the next step was to get a domain name for my company. I then asked around on how to register a production company. Had peers recommend LLC. Very expensive for me which leads to another reason to be discouraged. Then someone recommended that I do a prospestus. Consulted with the people in the know, very expensive to get one done. Another reason to be discouraged. That's where I got stuck. Any suggestions for me?
I found a great place to break down the roles of different types of producers.
http://www.producersguild.org/pg/about_a/faq.asp
http://www.producersguild.org/pg/about_a/faq.asp
Hiring the right people can most definitely be a creative process. And just because the word "business" is used does not rule out creativity. Creativity abounds in all forms in everyone's lives every day. Some of the most successful "business" people achieved their status through being creative with their business ventures.
My producer right now is highly involved in all aspects of our movie, and if I didn't have her creative and business abilities on board, this project would be futile. If anything, the producer can insure that the entire endeavor will live beyond the end of post. The art of making a movie from start to completion can find a director boxed up in his/her own little world, absorbed in the process, and in my opinion, the producer is an invaluable person in keeping things running - keeping a sense of sanity to the seemingly endless amount of tasks that need tending to. And the amount of creativity a producer can utilize is highly underrated. I personally feel the more creative a producer is with what he or she can do, the much better chances the production has for success.
And to Victorian - I have a suggestion for getting motivated when the business side gets depressing:
Start creating. Forget about the business stuff for awhile. It's like Dory said: "Lust keep swimming, just keep swimming..." Keep doing what you know how to do. Not having a registered LLC cannot stop you from making a movie. Make the movie. That's the most important step.
And while you're doing that, keep your eyes and ears open for anything that may come your way regarding pesky business aspects. Life answers when you have a genuine question. Sometimes you just have to be patient and tend to other matters until the answer arrives.
My producer right now is highly involved in all aspects of our movie, and if I didn't have her creative and business abilities on board, this project would be futile. If anything, the producer can insure that the entire endeavor will live beyond the end of post. The art of making a movie from start to completion can find a director boxed up in his/her own little world, absorbed in the process, and in my opinion, the producer is an invaluable person in keeping things running - keeping a sense of sanity to the seemingly endless amount of tasks that need tending to. And the amount of creativity a producer can utilize is highly underrated. I personally feel the more creative a producer is with what he or she can do, the much better chances the production has for success.
And to Victorian - I have a suggestion for getting motivated when the business side gets depressing:
Start creating. Forget about the business stuff for awhile. It's like Dory said: "Lust keep swimming, just keep swimming..." Keep doing what you know how to do. Not having a registered LLC cannot stop you from making a movie. Make the movie. That's the most important step.
And while you're doing that, keep your eyes and ears open for anything that may come your way regarding pesky business aspects. Life answers when you have a genuine question. Sometimes you just have to be patient and tend to other matters until the answer arrives.
The Trick
The trick to sucessful indie film making is understanding just one thing:
You don't have to do everything yourself.
There are thousands of people out there who would love the challenge of pulling together the business side of a film, who would wake up every morning excited about doing the part of the process that you find tedious.
All film making is a collaboration and you can achieve anything if you are smart enough to surround yourself with people who not only know what they are doing, but who love doing it.
Why not put an advert on this site asking for the help you need, the person you need may already be here.
The trick to sucessful indie film making is understanding just one thing:
You don't have to do everything yourself.
There are thousands of people out there who would love the challenge of pulling together the business side of a film, who would wake up every morning excited about doing the part of the process that you find tedious.
All film making is a collaboration and you can achieve anything if you are smart enough to surround yourself with people who not only know what they are doing, but who love doing it.
Why not put an advert on this site asking for the help you need, the person you need may already be here.
Clive, you nailed it with that piece of advice.
That's a great start. There's a web site devoted to local (New England, I'm in Boston) productions. They have a job listing section - free to post openings.
I put up an notice for cast & crew for our production. I made sure to say there was no pay involved, just copy & credit. The response was overwhelming!
From that one advert, I've got a good number of actors auditioning. I found a composer/musician who wants to score the short. Several editors have expressed interest. Local college students have volunteered to be PA's, camera operators, handle lighting and sound, etc.
The point I'm trying to make is that Clive's reminder that "you don't have to do everything yourself" is spot on. Simply asking for help can go a long way!
Alright, I know what a producer is...but what exactly is a line producer's job?
A Line Producer performs the Producer functions involved in supervising the physical aspects of the making of a motion picture or television production where the creative decision-making process is reserved to others, except to such extent as the Line Producer is permitted to participate.
http://www.producersguild.org/pg/about_a/faq.asp
http://www.producersguild.org/pg/about_a/faq.asp
Producer
AKA: Prod
The chief of a movie production in all matters save the creative efforts of the director. A producer is responsible for raising funding, hiring key personnel, and arranging for distributors.
Production Manager
AKA: PM
Reporting to the film's producer, this person supervises the budget, hires the crew, approves purchase orders & time cards, and generally makes sure all departments are doing their respective jobs within the parameters of the budget.
Unit Production Manager
AKA: Unit Manager, UPM
An executive who is responsible to a senior producer for the administration of a particular movie. Unit Production Managers only work on one film at a time
Line Producer
A producer who is responsible for managing every person and issue during the making of a film. Line producers only work on one film at a time
Associate Producer
An individual who performs a limited number of producing functions delegated to her/him by a producer, under the direct supervision and control of that producer. The term may also refer to a person who would qualify as an executive producer of a project, but for the fact that (s)he acts on behalf of a production company which is subordinate to another one on that project.
Co-Producer
A producer who performs a substantial portion of a creative producing function, or who is primarily responsible for one or more managerial producing functions. A co-producer has less responsibility than a producer for the completion of a project. Note that if a project has more than one producer, it doesn't mean that these individuals are "co-producers" in the technical sense of that term.
Executive Producer
AKA: Executive in Charge of Production
A producer who is not involved in any technical aspects of the filmmaking process, but who is still responsible for the overall production. Typically an executive producer handles business and legal issues.
FROM THE INTERNET MOVIE DATABASE
AKA: Prod
The chief of a movie production in all matters save the creative efforts of the director. A producer is responsible for raising funding, hiring key personnel, and arranging for distributors.
Production Manager
AKA: PM
Reporting to the film's producer, this person supervises the budget, hires the crew, approves purchase orders & time cards, and generally makes sure all departments are doing their respective jobs within the parameters of the budget.
Unit Production Manager
AKA: Unit Manager, UPM
An executive who is responsible to a senior producer for the administration of a particular movie. Unit Production Managers only work on one film at a time
Line Producer
A producer who is responsible for managing every person and issue during the making of a film. Line producers only work on one film at a time
Associate Producer
An individual who performs a limited number of producing functions delegated to her/him by a producer, under the direct supervision and control of that producer. The term may also refer to a person who would qualify as an executive producer of a project, but for the fact that (s)he acts on behalf of a production company which is subordinate to another one on that project.
Co-Producer
A producer who performs a substantial portion of a creative producing function, or who is primarily responsible for one or more managerial producing functions. A co-producer has less responsibility than a producer for the completion of a project. Note that if a project has more than one producer, it doesn't mean that these individuals are "co-producers" in the technical sense of that term.
Executive Producer
AKA: Executive in Charge of Production
A producer who is not involved in any technical aspects of the filmmaking process, but who is still responsible for the overall production. Typically an executive producer handles business and legal issues.
FROM THE INTERNET MOVIE DATABASE