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Getting Started as a Producer

What is a producer?

The producer initiates, coordinates, supervises and controls matters such as raising funding, hiring key personnel, and arranging for distributors. The producer is involved throughout all phases of the filmmaking process from inception to completion of a project.

 

 

Executive Producer

In major productions, usually a representative, if not the CEO, of a motion picture production company that is producing a film, although the title may be given as an honorarium to a major investor. Often oversees the financial, administrative, and creative aspects of production, though technical aspects. In smaller companies or independent projects, may be synonymous with Creator/Writer.

 

Producer

The "classic" definition of producer who typically has the greatest involvement and oversight among a film's various producers. In smaller companies or independent projects, may be the equivalent of the Executive Producer.

 

Co-producer

A producer who generally reports to the (Executive) Producer and is more involved in the day-to-day production. In independent projects, the title connotes an involvement in the inception of the production.

 

Associate Producer

Usually acts as a representative of the Producer, who may share financial, creative, or administrative responsibilities, delegated from that producer. Often, a title granted as a courtesy or to one who made a major financial or creative contribution to the production.

 

Production Director

A representative of the motion picture production company assigned to the set and given the authority to act in behalf of the senior production team members.

 

Segment Producer

Responsible for one segment of a larger program. For example, a lifestyle program might have a regular travel segment managed by a segment producer .

 

Line Producer

Oversees a film's budget and day-to-day activities

In Television: A television producer is basically the boss of a television program. The producer can be in charge of everything from the program's inception to post-production. Producers have a wide range of responsibility which includes scheduling, budget, talent management and creative control.

There are a number of different types of producer - you will often see two or more in a program's credits. Common types of producer include:

Executive Producer

The boss of all the other producers. The executive producer usually has final say on all aspects of the production.
In some cases however, the executive producer is not much more than a figurehead or honorary title. For example, a producer who starts a successful long-running show might retire from any working role but stay on "at the top" in name only.

Associate Producer

Takes on production tasks and responsibilities as designated by the producer. The associate producer often runs day-to-day operations, leaving the producer to concentrate on the bigger picture.

Co-producer

Works with one or more other producers as a team on the same project.

Coordinating Producer

Coordinates the efforts of two or more other producers, either on the same or separate projects.

Supervising Producer

Supervises other producers, often under the direction of an executive producer.

Segment Producer

Responsible for one segment of a larger program. For example, a lifestyle program might have a regular travel segment managed by a segment producer.

Line Producer

Runs the more practical aspects of the production such as logistics and personnel, as opposes to the creative content.

Getting started out in LA or from where you are:

  • For Television Producing see getting started as a TV writer.

  • Go and make films! Start with churches that always have a project they'd like to have produced. Find a high school or Jr. High school Sunday school class that wants to promote their mission trip to let's say, Mexico. Help them or any other Sunday school or church project make promos, videos, films, etc.

  • Create your own opportunities. That means knocking on doors and praying for God to open them. OR, make your own door!

  • Build a network of relationships. Pool resources and follow up leads constantly!

  • Producing is one industry discipline where an agent is not necessary and does not necessarily get you farther towards your goals. The nature of producing is to create opportunities, to create projects yourself. Know the craft of filmmaking and the function of a set! Go to film school to understand the process of filmmaking

  • Get a job as a writer's agent assistant or a producer's assistant or to develop relationships with them.

Questions to ask:

  • Why do you want to produce? Do you really love it?Know that it's God's calling for you!! Producing is something you really need to love for the amount of time and energy required to make it happen. The key is to find a project and MAKE IT HAPPEN! Simply put, a producer makes it all happen.
  • What is God producing in your life??
  • OWN THE VISION! You must own the vision of the project to carry the torch and impart the vision to others. Visionary: pushing and developing the idea, motivating the crew, selling and marketing your product, the film.
  • Realize that producing is on the job training. You have to find projects to produce and do it constantly. Otherwise you are not able to practice your craft. Are you okay with going a long time at the bottom and working your way up the ladder?
  • Are you a good businessman and entrepreneur? Are you organized and good with details since you are handling so many details at once.

  • Must be creative in thinking through road blocks and able to find ways to get things done without money. The less money you have the greater the plan and strategy you need.

Resources

Producers Guild of America PGA.org This site should be on every producers favorite list. Bursting at the seems with informtion and resources.
5 Minute Film School click here You must go through the Free 5 min film school!
     
MediaLawyer.com MediaLawyer.com Has a great article about the ins and outs of how a director gets paid.
FreeFilmSchool.Org FreeFilmSchool.org Has detailed articles on how to be an independent film director
IFP IFP.org Another great site

Industry Directories

Agency Guide: Official Guide to Talent Agencies in L.A.
Agents& Managers 411,
Animals 411: Working Animals Guide
Arizona Film & Video Production Directory-Arizona Production Association
AV Marketplace: The Complete Business Directory of Products and Services for the Audio/Video Industry
Casting Director Directory
Creative Industry Handbook
DGA Directory of Members
Digital 411: Animation/Visual FX/Internet/Post
Hollywood Foreign Press Association Membership Directory
Los Angeles 411-Production Resource Directory
Motion Picture, TV 7 Theatre Directory: For Products and Services
NY 411-Professional Reference Guide for Film, TV & Video Production
Parker Directory of California Attorneys
Pennsylvania Film Production Guide
Play 411
Producers 411
The Hollywood Connection Kit
The Industry Flip Book: The Definitive Los Angeles Film & Video Production Directory & Source Book
Themed Entertainment 411: Hotels, Theme Parks
The Producers Master Guide: International Production Manual for MP, TV, Commercials, Cable Industries
The Source Book for Professionals in Entertainment Industries

Legal Resources

Agreements: Sample Contract Forms-6 binders full of contracts, mostly for television, from hiring talent to acquiring rights to location releases
A Primer on Cyber Torts & Remedies
CA State Senate Select Committee on Regulation of Talent Agencies
DVD Copy Control Assoc. v. Andrew Bunmer
Entertainment Law Reporter Issues
Form Books 1-6
Internet Dispute Law & Practice Vol. 1-3
Moral Rights & The Motion Picture Industry: Hearing Before the Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, and the Administration on Justice of the Committee on the Judiciary House of Representatives
Napster v. A&M Records-Summary
Television Syndication: A Practical Guide to Business & Legal Issues by Vance Van Petten
Television for Tomorrow-Part of the Vic Netterville Memorial Lectures, USC Entertainment Law
1995 WGA Theatrical & TV Basic Agreement

Books

Confessions of a Dangerous Mind-by Chuck Barris
Effective Negotiating: Strategies, Tactics & Countermeasures on 11 Audio Tape Cassettes-by Chester L. Karrass
From Concept to Screen: An Overview of Film & Television Production-by Robert Benedetti
Getting to Yes: Negotiating Agreement without Giving In-by Robert Fischer & William Ury
Give and Take: The Complete Guide to Negotiating Strategies and Tactics-by Chester L. Karrass
Independent Film Producers' Survivors Guide-Business & Legal Source Guide
Making Your Film for Less Outside the US -by Mark De Wayne
Robert's Rules of Order-by Gen. Henry M. Robert, US ARMY
The Employee Handbook for Organizational Change-by Price Pritchett & Ron Pound
The Genius of the System: Hollywood Filmmaking in the Studio Era-by Thomas Schatz
The Negotiating Game-by Chester L. Karrass
The Rock Pack: History Of Rock & Roll-by James Henke & Ron Van Der Meer
The Wisdom of Teams: Creating the High Performance Organization-by Jon R. Katzenback & Douglas K. Smith
Vintage Posters-Collection of Superior Galleries
You Can Negotiate Anything-by Herb Cohen

PGA Publications

AAP Networker-Celebrating & Remembering the AAP
AAP Roster of Members
Golden Laurel Awards Programs

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a Producer do?
A Producer initiates, coordinates, supervises and controls, either on his own authority, or subject to the authority of an employer, all aspects of the motion-picture and/or television production process, including creative, financial, technological and administrative. A Producer is involved throughout all phases of production from inception to completion, including coordination, supervision and control of all other talents and crafts, subject to the provisions of their collective bargaining agreements and personal service contracts.

What does an Executive Producer do?
An Executive Producer supervises, either on his own authority (entrepreneur executive producer) or subject to the authority of an employer (employee executive producer) one or more producers in the performance of all of his/her/their producer functions on single or multiple productions. In television, an Executive Producer may also be the Creator/Writer of a series.

What does an Associate Producer do?
An Associate Producer performs one or more producer functions delegated to him/her by a producer, under the supervision of such producer.

What does a Co-Producer do?
Co-Producers are two or more functioning producers who perform jointly or cumulatively all of the producer functions as a team or group.

What does a Supervising Producer do?
A Supervising Producer supervises one or more producers in the performance of some or all of his/her/their producer functions, on single or multiple productions, either in place of, or subject to the overriding authority of an Executive Producer.

What does a Segment Producer do?
A Segment Producer produces one or more individual segments of a multi-segment production, also containing individual segments produced by others.

What does a Coordinating Producer do?
A Coordinating Producer coordinates the work of two or more individual producers working separately on single or multiple productions in order to achieve a unified end result.

What does a Line Producer do?
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. Unit Production Managers, who perform no more than the customary services of a Unit Production Manager should be credited only as such.

Do I have to join the PGA to be employed as a Producer?
No. We are a professional association, not a union.

Some notable film producers
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