Emboy at 05:09, 25 November 2021

2021-11-25T05:09:41Z

New page

{{Short description|Person who supervises the overall process, creative and financial, of making a film}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2020}}
A '''film producer''' is a person who oversees [[film production]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://www.producersguild.org/?page=faq|title=Frequently Asked Questions - Producers Guild of America|website=www.producersguild.org|access-date=2017-03-19}}</ref> Either employed by a [[production company]] or working [[Independent film|independently]], producers plan and coordinate various aspects of film production, such as selecting the script; coordinating writing, directing, editing; and arranging financing.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |url = http://lfs.org.uk/full-time-study/ma-filmmaking/areas-study/producing|title=Producing |publisher= London Film School|website= lfs.org.uk }}</ref>

The producer is responsible for finding and selecting promising material for development.<ref name=":1"/> Then (unless the film is based on an existing script) the producer has to hire a [[screenwriter]] and oversee the [[Filmmaking#Development|development of the script]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/27-2012.01|title=27-2012.01 - Producers|website=www.onetonline.org|access-date=2017-03-19}}</ref> Then the producer leads a [[Pitch (filmmaking)|pitch]] to secure the financial backing (a "[[Green-light|green light]]") to allow production to begin. The producer also supervises the [[pre-production]], [[principal photography]], and [[post-production]] stages of [[filmmaking]]. One of the most important tasks is to hire the [[Film director|director]] and other key [[Film crew|crew]] members. Whereas the director makes the creative decisions during the production, the producer typically manages the logistics and business operations, though some directors also produce their own films. The producer is tasked with making sure the film is delivered on time and within budget.<ref name=":14">{{Cite web|url=https://nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk/job-profiles/tv-or-film-producer#|title=TV or film producer|website=nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk| access-date=2017-02-18}}</ref> Finally, the producer will oversee the marketing and [[Film distribution|distribution]].

For various reasons, producers cannot always supervise all of the production. In this case, the main producer or [[executive producer]] may hire and delegate work to associate producers, assistant producers, [[line producer]]s or [[unit production manager]]s.<ref name="nyt22">{{cite news|url=http://mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/11/08/three-studios-agree-to-plan-to-certify-who-deserves-to-be-a-producer/|title=Three Studios Agree to Let a Guild Certify Credits for Film Producers|last=Cieply|first=Michael|date=8 November 2012|newspaper=The New York Times|access-date=19 November 2012}}</ref>
{{TOC limit|2}}

==Process and responsibilities==

===Development and pre-production===
{{Main|Pre-production}}
During this stage of the production process, producers bring together people like the [[film director]], [[cinematographer]], and [[production designer]].<ref name=":03">{{Cite web|url=http://creativeskillset.org/job_roles/757_producer|title=Producer|website=creativeskillset.org|access-date=2017-02-18}}</ref> Unless the film is supposed to be based on an original script, the producer has to find an appropriate [[screenwriter]].<ref name="rottentomatoes.com2">{{cite web|url=http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/casino_royale/news/1648610/007_writers_to_tackle_quotbarbarellaquot/|title=writers Neal Purvis and Robert Wade have been hired to pen the screenplay for producer Dino de Laurentiis|website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]|access-date=13 April 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.filmmakers.com/artists/williamgoldman/biography/page2.htm|title=Goldman was contacted by director/producer Rob Reiner to write the screenplay|access-date=14 March 2011}}</ref> If an existing script is considered flawed, they are able to order a new version or make the decision to hire a [[script doctor]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.davidlynch.de/dunetimeout.html|title=He began work on the scripter. And worked on it and worked on it, pushing it through seven drafts before arriving at a version with which de Laurentiis was satisfied|access-date=11 November 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101121133818/http://davidlynch.de/dunetimeout.html|archive-date=21 November 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.uni-duesseldorf.de/WWW/PhilFak/fshisto/jb/thespy.htm|title=Broccoli insisted on a rewrite, claiming to the story was too political for a 007 film. Writer Christopher Wood was brought on board to collaborate with Maibaum and expand upon Broccoli's personal concept for the film|access-date=14 March 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130510193135/http://www.uni-duesseldorf.de/WWW/PhilFak/fshisto/jb/thespy.htm|archive-date=10 May 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2010/aug/04/tom-mankiewicz-obituary|title=the producers Albert R Broccoli and Harry Saltzman hired him for two weeks to doctor the Richard Maibaum script of Diamonds Are Forever|last=Bergan|first=Ronald|date=4 August 2010|work=The Guardian|location=London|access-date=4 August 2010}}</ref> The producer also has the final say on hiring the [[film director]], cast members, and other staff.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tcm.com/this-month/article/79836%7C0/War-and-Peace.html|title=Next De Laurentiis hired King Vidor, director of Duel in the Sun (1946) and The Fountainhead (1949) to make the movie|access-date=14 March 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/culture-obituaries/film-obituaries/8127250/Dino-De-Laurentiis.html|title=Dino De Laurentiis [obituary]|quote =He also stuck loyally by gifted American directors when they were out of favour or off form. Robert Altman made one of his less successful pictures, Buffalo Bill and the Indians (1976), for De Laurentiis, who also helped the luckless Michael Cimino back on his feet after the commercial disaster of Heaven's Gate|date=11 November 2010|work=The Daily Telegraph|location=London}}</ref> In some cases, they also have the last word when it comes to casting questions.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.uni-duesseldorf.de/WWW/PhilFak/fshisto/jb/octopus.htm|title=Octopussy|quote =Cubby Broccoli personally broke his own golden rule and cast her as the mysterious Octopussy|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130510170037/http://www.uni-duesseldorf.de/WWW/PhilFak/fshisto/jb/octopus.htm|archive-date=10 May 2013}}</ref> A producer's role will also consist of approving locations, the studio hire, the final [[shooting script]], the [[production schedule]], and the budget. More time and money spent in pre-production can reduce the time and money wasted during production time.<ref name=":03"/>

===Production===
{{main|Principal photography}}
During production, the producer's job is to make sure the film stays on schedule and under budget.<ref name=":14"/> They will always be in contact with directors and other key creative team members.<ref name=":03"/><ref name = bergan>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2011/jan/30/bernd-eichinger-obituary|title=Bernd Eichinger [obituary]|quote =In 1979, Eichinger bought a large stake in the Munich-based production and distribution company Constantin Film, which he ran as a hands-on producer for over 30 years|last=Bergan|first=Ronald|work=The Guardian|location=London}}</ref><ref name = europacorp>{{cite news|url=http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/the-movie-business-luc-besson-s-growing-empire-a-612371.html|title=Europacorp studio posted $186 million in revenues last year, making it second only to Germany's Constantin Film as Europe's largest independent studio|newspaper=Der Spiegel|date=10 March 2009|access-date=10 March 2009|last1=Matlack|first1=Carol}}</ref>

For various reasons, producers cannot always personally supervise all parts of their production. For example, some producers run a company which also deals with film distribution.<ref name = bergan/><ref name = europacorp/> Also, cast and film crew often work at different times and places, and certain films even require a [[second unit]].

===Post-production===
{{Main|Post-production}}
Even if the shooting has been finished, the producers can still demand that additional scenes be filmed. In the case of a negative [[test screening]], producers may even demand and get an alternative film ending. For example, the audience reacted very negatively to [[Rambo (franchise)|Rambo]]'s death in the test screening for the film ''[[First Blood]]'', and the producers requested that the cast and crew shoot a new ending.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://davidmorrell.net/rambo-pages/david-morrell-on-rambo/|title=test audiences nearly rioted after cheering for Rambo and then seeing him die. So the producers went back to Hope, British Columbia, the location for the film, and shot a new ending in which Rambo lives|access-date=15 March 2013|archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/6Jy9cGldP?url=http://davidmorrell.net/rambo-pages/david-morrell-on-rambo/|archive-date=28 September 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> Producers also oversee the sales, marketing and distribution rights of the film, often working with specialist third-party firms.<ref name=":14"/>

==Types==
Different types of producers and their roles within the industry today include:

===Executive producer===
{{Main|Executive producer}}
The executive producer oversees all of the other producers working on the same project. They ensure that the producers are carrying out their responsibilities on the production. They are also usually in charge of managing the film's finances and handling all other business aspects of the film.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":2">Zetti, Herbert (2011). ''Television Production Handbook 12th Edition''. Cengage Learning. p. 7. {{ISBN|978-1285052670}}</ref> On a [[Television show|TV series]] an executive producer or co-executive producer is often a writer and given the credit in a creative capacity. On a [[feature film]] or movie the executive producer is often the person directly funding the movie or the person who found the investors or company that provided the funding.

===Line producer===
{{Main|Line producer}}
The line producer manages the staff and day-to-day operations and oversees each and every physical aspect that is involved in the making of a film or television program. The line producer can be credited as "produced by" in certain cases.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":2" />

===Supervising producer===
The supervising producer supervises the creative process of screenplay development and often aids in script re-writes. They can also fulfill the executive producer's role of overseeing other producers.<ref name=":0" />

===Producer===
Within the production process, a producer can oversee, arrange, manage, and begin every aspect. They are involved in every stage of the overall production process.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":2" />

===Co-producer===
A co-producer is a member of a team of producers that perform all of the functions and roles that a single producer would have in a single given project.<ref name=":0" />

===Coordinating producer or production coordinator===
{{Main|Production coordinator}}
A coordinating producer coordinates the work/role of multiple producers who are trying to achieve a shared result.<ref name=":0" />

===Associate producer or assistant producer===
The associate or assistant producer helps the producer during the production process. They can sometimes be involved in coordinating others' jobs, such as creating peoples' schedules and hiring the main talent.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":2" />

===Segment producer===
A segment producer produces one or more single specific segments of a multi-segment film or television production.<ref name=":0" />

===Field producer===
A field producer helps the producer by overseeing all of the production that takes place outside of the studio in specific locations for the film.<ref name=":2" />

==Labor relations==

Considered [[Senior management|executive]] employees in regard to the [[Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938]] in the United States, producers represent the management team of a production and are charged by the studios to enforce the provisions of the union [[Collective bargaining|contracts]] negotiated by the [[Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers]] (AMPTP) with the [[Below-the-line (filmmaking)|below-the-line]] employees. Founded in 1924 by the U.S Trade Association as the Association of Motion Picture Producers,<ref name=":4">{{cite web|url = http://collections.oscars.org/link/bio/1473|title = Association of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) records|website =Special Collections: Margaret Herrick Library |publisher = Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences}}</ref> the AMPTP was originally responsible for negotiating labor contracts, but during the mid-1930s it took over all contract negotiation responsibilities previously controlled by the [[Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences]].<ref name=":4" /> Today, the AMPTP negotiates with various industry associations when dealing with union contracts, including the [[International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees]] (IATSE), the [[American Federation of Television and Radio Artists]] (AFTRA), the [[Directors Guild of America]] (DGA), and the [[Screen Actors Guild]] (SAG).<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|url=http://amptp.org/|title=AMPTP|website=amptp.org|access-date=2017-03-19}}</ref> In 2012, the AMPTP negotiated over eighty industry-wide union agreements on behalf of 350 studios and independent production companies. Since 1982, the AMPTP has been responsible for negotiating these union agreements and is now considered the official contract negotiation representative for everyone within the film and television industry.<ref>[http://filmmakeriq.com/2012/09/a-guide-to-hollywood-unions/ "A Guide to Hollywood Unions | FilmmakerIQ.com"]. ''filmmakeriq.com''. Retrieved 2017-02-19.</ref>

While individual producers are responsible for negotiating their own deals with the studios distributing their films, the [[Producers Guild of America]] offers guidance to protect and promote the interests of producers and the production team in film, television, and new media, offering the framework to provide health insurance and pension benefits, and assists in establishing safe working conditions and vetting the validity of screen credits.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.producersguild.org/?page=about_the_pga | title=About the PGA: Mission Statement | publisher= Producers Guild of America | access-date=June 27, 2017 }}</ref>

==Career process==
{{Advert section|date=April 2021}}

Many producers start in a college, university or [[film school]]. On the occasion of announcing his own film school, 'École de la Cité, film producer [[Luc Besson]] admitted that at the beginning of his career, he would have appreciated the chance to attend a film school.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ecoledelacite.com/en/|title=École de la cité|website=Ecole de la cité}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://variety.com/2012/film/news/luc-besson-launches-film-school-1118055818/|title=Luc Besson launches film school|work=Variety|access-date=15 March 2013}}</ref> [[Film school]]s and many [[University|universities]] offer [[Academic degree|degree courses]] that include film production knowledge, with some courses that are especially designed for future film producers.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.screenacademyscotland.ac.uk/content-114|title=The MFA Advanced Film Practice programme aims to equip you with the creative, professional and technical knowledge you will need to enter the professional arena as a writer, producer or director.|access-date=15 March 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130416155055/http://www.screenacademyscotland.ac.uk/content-114|archive-date=16 April 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fondazionecsc.it/context.jsp?ID_LINK=18&area=7|title=The training course last three years and the interdisciplinary teaching programme prepares students in the specific areas of directing, scriptwriting, acting, photography, editing, sound techniques, production, set design, props and wardrobe|access-date=15 March 2013}}</ref> These courses focus on key topics like pitching, [[script development]], script assessment, shooting schedule design, and budgeting.<ref name="Filmakademie2">{{cite web|url=https://www.filmakademie.de/en/studium/course-of-study/production/production/|title=Course of Study - Production |website = Filmakademie Baden Wurttemberg GmbH}}</ref><ref name=":1"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.westminster.ac.uk/about-us/schools/media/departments/photography|title=Our BA in Film Production is one of our most highly sought-after courses.|access-date=15 March 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130202000449/http://www.westminster.ac.uk/about-us/schools/media/departments/photography|archive-date=2 February 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dffb.de/html/en/studium/produktion|title=Producing seminars teach through practical studies in production, script development, budgeting, and media economics|access-date=15 March 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130119153325/http://www.dffb.de/html/en/studium/produktion|archive-date=19 January 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> Students can also expect practical training regarding post-production.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bfm.ee/programmes/film-arts/film-arts-ma/|title=All student films are developed, shot and post-produced in teams, closely mirroring a realistic industry work process in order to ease graduates' transitions to the professional environment|access-date=15 March 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130513160527/http://www.bfm.ee/programmes/film-arts/film-arts-ma/|archive-date=13 May 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> Training at a top producing school is one of the most efficient ways a student can show professionals they are not a rookie.<ref name=":22">{{Cite news|url=https://www.nyfa.edu/student-resources/becoming-a-producer-tried-and-tested-career-paths/|title=Becoming a Producer - Tried and Tested Career Paths|date=2015-06-12|access-date=2017-02-20|newspaper=Student Resources}}</ref>

While education is one way to begin a career as a film producer, experience is also required to land a job. [[Internship]]s are a great way to gain experience while in school and give students a solid foundation on which to build their career. Many internships are paid, which enable students to earn money while gaining hands-on skills from industry professionals.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thebalance.com/how-to-get-a-production-internship-1283507|title=Where to Look for Internship Programs in Entertainment|access-date=2017-02-03|newspaper=The Balance}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://creativeskillset.org/creative_industries/film/ways_into_the_industry|title=Ways into the film industry - Film Industry - Creative Skillset|website=creativeskillset.org|access-date=2017-02-03}}</ref> Through internships, students get to network with people in the film industry as well. This pays off in the end when looking for jobs after school. Once an internship is over, the next step typically will be to land a junior position, such as a [[production assistant]].<ref name=":22" />

Pay can vary based on a producer's role and the location of filming. In the United States, the salary can start anywhere from $20,000 to $70,000, even doubling when working in Los Angeles.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nyfa.edu/student-resources/jobs-film-average-salary-career-paths/|title=Jobs in Film: Average Salary & Career Paths|date=2014-12-01|access-date=2017-02-20|newspaper=Student Resources}}</ref> The average annual salary for a producer in the U.S. is $109,844. When examining more than 15,000 producers in the [[Los Angeles]] metropolitan area, the average annual salary is $138,640.<ref name="entertainment.howstuffworks.com2">{{cite web|url=http://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/highest-paying-jobs-film-industry.htm#page=1|title=10 Highest Paying Jobs in the Film Industry|date=30 May 2008}}</ref> Producers can also have an agreement to take a percentage of a movie's sales.<ref name="entertainment.howstuffworks.com2" />

There is no average workday for a film producer since their tasks are changing from day to day. A producer's work hours are often irregular and can consist of very long days with the possibility of working nights and weekends.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.prospects.ac.uk/job-profiles/television-film-video-producer|title=Television/film/video producer job profile {{!}} Prospects.ac.uk|website=www.prospects.ac.uk|access-date=2017-02-20}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[List of highest-grossing film producers]]

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==Further reading==
{{refbegin}}
* {{cite book |last=Lee |first=John J. Jr. |title=The Producer's Business Handbook |url=https://archive.org/details/producersbusines0000leej |url-access=registration |year=2000 |publisher=Focal Press |isbn=1136050655}}
* {{Cite journal |last=Pardo |first=Alejandro |year=2010 |title=Special Issue: Production Studies: Table of Contents |url=http://widescreenjournal.org/index.php/journal/issue/view/3 |journal=Widescreen Journal |issn=1757-3920 |access-date=13 August 2017}}
* {{cite book |last=Simens |first=Dov S–S |title=From Reel to Deal: Everything You Need to Create a Successful Independent Film |year=2003 |location=New York |publisher=Warner Books |isbn=0759520763 |oclc=882105853}}
* {{Cite news |last=Turner |first=Cory |date=23 February 2011 |title=How Many Cooks?: Counting Up the Many Producers of 'The King's Speech' |url=https://www.npr.org/sections/monkeysee/2011/02/23/134002443/how-many-cooks-counting-up-the-many-producers-of-the-kings-speech |department=Monkey See (blog) |work=[[All Things Considered]] |publisher=[[NPR]] |access-date=13 December 2016}}
{{refend}}

==External links==
* {{Commons category-inline|Film producers}}
*[[Producers Guild of America]]

{{Film crew}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Film producers| ]]
[[Category:Entertainment occupations]]
[[Category:Filmmaking occupations]]
[[Category:Mass media occupations]]

Film producer - Revision history

Emboy at 05:09, 25 November 2021