Producer
Producers are highly self-motivated individuals, who have the final responsibility for all aspects of a film's production. He or she is frequently the first person to become involved in a project; they participate directly in all the main producing phases; and see the project through production, to post-production, marketing and distribution. The Producer's is role to turn story ideas into profitable cinematic entertainment, and to persuade others to share in his or her commercial and creative vision. Producers usually report to the production company, or to the Executive Producers appointed to supervise the production on behalf of the financiers and Distributors.
Responsibilities
Producers have overall control on every aspect 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. Producers many responsibilities span all four phases of production:
· 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, 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 and consultation with the Director, and with other key creative personnel, on and off set. Producers approve all script changes and cost reports, and continue to serve as the primary point of contact for all production partners, investors and Distributors.
· Post-production and marketing - Producers are expected to liaise personally with post-production personnel, including the Editor, Composer, and Visual Effects staff. They then consult with all creative and financial personnel on the production of the answer (or final) print, and they are usually involved with the financial and distribution entities in planning the marketing and distribution of the finished film.
It is rare to find one Producer who has the expertise and vision to exercise personal decision-making authority across all four phases of production. Producers normally delegate some of these functions to Executive Producers, Co-producers, Line Producers and Associate Producers. However, the Producer is responsible for the majority of the producing functions throughout all the processes of the film.
Skills
Producers must be good businessmen, strategists, motivators, negotiators and creative visionaries, with the ability to spot, and deal with, potential problems before they materialise, and the drive to do whatever it takes to get the film made. They need an extensive knowledge of cinematic narrative, and a thorough understanding of all the creative processes of filmmaking, including screenwriting, directing, editing, and composing music. They must know how to: prepare a budget for the production; secure financial resources for the production; control the overall planning of the production; ensure compliance with regulations and codes of practice; select crews and suppliers to meet production requirements; identify and select supporting artistes and contributors; control production expenditure; monitor and control the progress of productions; and supervise the edit of a completed film. They need to be excellent communicators, able to act decisively and sensitively under enormous pressure. As a supervisor and enabler of creative people, they are expected to be able to plan, inspire, supervise and delegate. Producers have a legal responsibility, under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, to prepare health and safety procedures for the workplace. They must identify hazards, assess the risks, and develop procedures to control the risks. They must also review the procedures, and check that they are effective in the workplace.
Qualifications/Experience
As the originator of such a large project as a film production there is no predetermined route to becoming a Film Producer. A number of colleges offer courses in film producing; however, it is impossible to master all the necessary skills by study alone. To convince financiers to part with their money, Producers must demonstrate a successful track record in film production. Typically, they have substantial film industry experience, and have worked as a Co-Producer, Line Producer, Associate Producer or Distributor, before progressing to the role of Producer. Producers should also undertake approved industry Health and Safety courses, as this is ultimately their responsibility.
Responsibilities
Producers have overall control on every aspect 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. Producers many responsibilities span all four phases of production:
· 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, 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 and consultation with the Director, and with other key creative personnel, on and off set. Producers approve all script changes and cost reports, and continue to serve as the primary point of contact for all production partners, investors and Distributors.
· Post-production and marketing - Producers are expected to liaise personally with post-production personnel, including the Editor, Composer, and Visual Effects staff. They then consult with all creative and financial personnel on the production of the answer (or final) print, and they are usually involved with the financial and distribution entities in planning the marketing and distribution of the finished film.
It is rare to find one Producer who has the expertise and vision to exercise personal decision-making authority across all four phases of production. Producers normally delegate some of these functions to Executive Producers, Co-producers, Line Producers and Associate Producers. However, the Producer is responsible for the majority of the producing functions throughout all the processes of the film.
Skills
Producers must be good businessmen, strategists, motivators, negotiators and creative visionaries, with the ability to spot, and deal with, potential problems before they materialise, and the drive to do whatever it takes to get the film made. They need an extensive knowledge of cinematic narrative, and a thorough understanding of all the creative processes of filmmaking, including screenwriting, directing, editing, and composing music. They must know how to: prepare a budget for the production; secure financial resources for the production; control the overall planning of the production; ensure compliance with regulations and codes of practice; select crews and suppliers to meet production requirements; identify and select supporting artistes and contributors; control production expenditure; monitor and control the progress of productions; and supervise the edit of a completed film. They need to be excellent communicators, able to act decisively and sensitively under enormous pressure. As a supervisor and enabler of creative people, they are expected to be able to plan, inspire, supervise and delegate. Producers have a legal responsibility, under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, to prepare health and safety procedures for the workplace. They must identify hazards, assess the risks, and develop procedures to control the risks. They must also review the procedures, and check that they are effective in the workplace.
Qualifications/Experience
As the originator of such a large project as a film production there is no predetermined route to becoming a Film Producer. A number of colleges offer courses in film producing; however, it is impossible to master all the necessary skills by study alone. To convince financiers to part with their money, Producers must demonstrate a successful track record in film production. Typically, they have substantial film industry experience, and have worked as a Co-Producer, Line Producer, Associate Producer or Distributor, before progressing to the role of Producer. Producers should also undertake approved industry Health and Safety courses, as this is ultimately their responsibility.
