I Want To Be A Producer!

A new friend is deciding to step out of her comfort zone and help her buddy make his film!

She asked around for some advice on how to even approach that task. 

I know the feeling. 

You're not even sure what questions you should be asking. You don't know what you don't know. It's completely natural as you're starting to learn about a new area of anything.

So I told her.

First thing, you're talking about PRODUCING a film, vs. being hired by one.

ALL ABOUT FILM PRODUCERS

So, what is a Producer?

What kind of Producers are there?

What do they do?

Producers are responsible for a variety of logistics.

Film producers wear a lot of hats during different stages of development, but here's the core list of jobs they do, and at the bottom, what credits they are assigned based on those jobs:

- **Develop the project** — find or commission the script, secure rights, shape the story with the writer.

- **Raise financing** — pitch to investors, studios, or run crowdfunding; build and manage the budget (even on small budgets like on indie films)

- **Hire key personnel** — department heads, key crew, and often help cast

- **Plan the production** — scheduling, budgeting, securing locations, permits, and insurance

- **Oversee the shoot** — keep production on time and on budget, solve problems as they arise (scheduling duties are done alongside the assistant director)

- **Manage post-production** — editing, sound, music, color, VFX, and delivery 

- **Handle legal and contracts** — talent agreements, releases, chain of title, clearances, etc.

- **Drive distribution and marketing** — festival strategy, sales, securing a distributor or platform ( for small indie stuff, that still applies) 

- **Manage the money throughout** — track spend, approve expenses, handle reporting to financiers

The Producer's Title and credits are determined by the key functions that person performs.
Namely:

Executive Producers usually focus on financing and high-level oversight (if you are helping handle $, you are immediately an E.P.) 

Line Producers run the day-to-day budget and logistics 

and the Lead Producers tie all the broad tasks and departments together from development through release in the big-picture.

So I hope this run-down of definitions is useful! 

If you can think of any tasks or titles I missed, let me know!

And good luck to all you Producers out there!

We couldn't do it without you!