Film producer

Person supervising the making of a film

Part of a series on

Filmmaking

Development

* Step outline
* Film treatment

* Scriptment
* Screenplay

* Film finance
* Film budgeting

* Green-light

Pre-production

* Script breakdown
* Storyboard

* Production board

* Production strip

* Day Out of Days

* Production schedule

* One liner schedule

* Shooting schedule

Production

* Cinematography

* Principal photography

* Videography
* Shooting script

* Film inventory report

* Daily call sheet

* Production report

* Daily production report

* Daily progress report

* Daily editor log
* Sound report

* Cost report

Post-production

* Film editing

* Re-recording

* Sync sound
* Soundtrack
* Music

Special effects

* (sound
* visual)

* Negative cost

Distribution

* Distribution

Film release

* (wide
* limited
* delayed)

* Roadshow

Related topics

* Film history
* Filmography
* Guerrilla filmmaking

Glossary

See also

* Film
* Film crew
* Hook
* Pitch
* Screenwriting
* Spec script

* Film portal

* v
* t
* e

A film producer is a person who oversees film production, from finding and selecting promising material for development, through to post-production, marketing and distribution of the film. They plan and coordinate various aspects of film production, such as selecting the script, coordinating writing, directing, editing, and arranging financing. The producer supervises the pre-production, principal photography, and post-production stages of filmmaking. In some cases, the executive producer may hire and delegate work to associate producers, assistant producers, line producers, or unit production managers, to assist the main producer(s).

A producer hires a director for the film, as well as other key crew members. The producer must ensure the film is delivered on time and within budget. The producer typically manages logistics and business operations of filmmaking, while the director makes the creative decisions during the production, although some directors also produce their own films.

## Process and responsibilities

[edit]

### Overview

[edit]

The film producer, who may be employed by a production company or work independently, oversees and manages film production.[1] The producer is responsible for finding and selecting promising material for development, and goes on to plan and coordinate various aspects of film production, such as selecting the script, coordinating writing, directing, editing, and arranging financing.[2] According to Australian producer Julie Ryan, the producer negotiates the deals with stakeholders, oversees the creative vision, and generally manages the project, as well as being "ultimately financially responsible for the project".[3]

Whereas the director makes the creative decisions during the production, the producer typically manages logistics and business operations, though some directors also produce their own films. The producer must ensure the film is delivered on time and within budget, and in the later stages before release, will oversee the marketing and distribution of the film.[4]

Producers cannot always supervise all of the production. In this case, the executive producer may hire and delegate work to associate producers, assistant producers, line producers, or unit production managers.[5]

### Development and pre-production

[edit]

Main article: Pre-production

During this stage of the production process, producers bring together people like the film director, cinematographer, and production designer.[6]

Unless the film is based on an existing (original) script, the producer hires a screenwriter and oversees the script's development.[7][8][9] If an existing script is considered flawed, the producer can order a new version or decide to hire a script doctor.[10][11][12]

These activities culminate with the pitch, led by the producer, to secure the financial backing that enables production to begin. If all succeeds, the project is "greenlit".

The producer gives final approval when hiring the film director, cast members, and other staff.[13][14] In some cases, producers also have the last word when it comes to casting questions.[15] A producer will also approve locations, the studio hire, the final shooting script, the production schedule, and the budget. Spending more time and money in pre-production can reduce budget waste and delays during the production stage.[6]

### Production

[edit]

Main article: Principal photography

During production, the producer's job is to ensure the film remains on schedule and under budget.[4] To this end, they must remain in constant contact with directors and other key creative team members.[6][16][17]

Producers cannot always personally supervise all parts of their production but will instead delegate tasks as needed. For example, some producers run a company that also deals with film distribution.[16][17] Also, the cast and film crew often work at different times and places, and certain films even require a second unit.

### Post-production

[edit]

Main article: Post-production

Even after shooting for a film is complete, the producers can still demand that additional scenes be filmed. In the case of a negative test screening, producers may even demand an alternative film ending. For example, when the audience reacted negatively to Rambo's death in the test screening of the film First Blood, the producers requested a new ending be filmed.[18] Producers also oversee the film's sales, marketing, and distribution rights, often working with third-party specialist firms.[4]

## Types

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

### Executive producer

[edit]

Main article: Executive producer

An executive producer oversees all other producers under a specific project and ensures that the entire project remains on track. They are also usually in charge of managing the film's finances and all other business aspects.[1][19] On a television series an executive producer is often a writer and given credit in a creative capacity. In a feature film or movie, the executive producer is often the person directly funding the project or is directly responsible for bringing in investors for funding. In television, it is becoming more and more common to split this role into two for creative projects. These are the executive producer and the showrunner. A showrunner, in this context, is the most senior creative, working on writing and producing their vision; they are effectively the same as the producer; overseeing, arranging, managing, and beginning every aspect of production. Whereas the executive producer focuses more on budgeting and predicting the views of the higher authorities in the wider company; trying to ground the showrunner's vision to tangible limits. A co-executive producer is someone whose input is considered as valuable as that of the executive producer, despite having a junior or unofficial role.[citation needed]

### Line producer

[edit]

Main article: Line producer

A line producer manages the staff and the day-to-day operations and oversees each physical aspect involved in making a film or television program. The line producer can be credited as "produced by" in certain cases.[1][19]

### Supervising producer

[edit]

Main article: Senior producer

A supervising producer supervises the creative process of screenplay development and often aids in script rewrites. They can also fulfill the executive producer's role of overseeing other producers.[1]

### Producer

[edit]

Within the production process, a producer can oversee, arrange, manage, and begin every aspect of production. They are typically involved in every stage of the overall production process.[1][19]

### Co-producer

[edit]

A co-producer is a member of a team of producers that perform all of the functions and roles that a single producer would in a given project.[1]

### Coordinating producer or production coordinator

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Main article: Production coordinator

A coordinating producer coordinates the work/role of multiple producers trying to achieve a shared result.[1]

### Associate producer or assistant producer

[edit]

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.[1][19]

### Segment producer

[edit]

A segment producer produces one or more specific segments of a multi-segment film or television production.[1]

### Field producer

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A field producer helps the producer by overseeing all of the production outside the studio in specific film locations.[19]

## Labor relations

[edit]

The examples and perspective in this section deal primarily with the United States and do not represent a worldwide view of the subject. You may improve this section, discuss the issue on the talk page, or create a new section, as appropriate. (January 2022) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

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Considered executive employees in regard to the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 in the United States, producers represent the management team of production and are charged by the studios to enforce the provisions of the union contracts negotiated by the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) with the below-the-line employees. Founded in 1924 by the U.S. Trade Association as the Association of Motion Picture Producers,[20] the AMPTP was initially responsible for negotiating labor contracts. Still, during the mid-1930s, it took over all contract negotiation responsibilities previously controlled by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.[20] Today, the AMPTP negotiates with various industry associations when dealing with union contracts, including the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE), the Directors Guild of America (DGA), and the Screen Actors Guild - American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA).[21] 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.[22]

While individual producers are responsible for negotiating 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.[23]

In December 2021, global unions filed a report titled Demanding Dignity Behind the Scenes to attempt to end the "long hours culture" of the television and film industry, citing in part that abuses increased in 2021 as the industry attempted to recover lost time due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The unions supporting the report make up over 20 million television, film, and arts workers worldwide.[24]

## Career process

[edit]

The examples and perspective in this section deal primarily with the United States and do not represent a worldwide view of the subject. You may improve this section, discuss the issue on the talk page, or create a new section, as appropriate. (April 2024) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

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Many producers begin in a college, university, or film school. Film schools and many universities offer courses covering film production knowledge, with some courses specially designed for future film producers.[25][26] These courses focus on key topics like pitching, script development, script assessment, shooting schedule design, and budgeting.[27][2][28][29] Students can also expect practical training on post-production.[30] Training at a top-producing school is one of the most efficient ways a student can gain industry credibility.[31]

While education is one way to begin a career as a film producer, experience is also usually required to land a job. Internships are a way to gain experience while in school and give students a foundation to build a career. Many internships are paid, which enables students to earn money while gaining hands-on skills from industry professionals.[32][33] Through internships, students can network within the film industry, which is an important way to make necessary industry connections. Once an internship is over, the next step will typically be to land a junior position, such as a production assistant.[31]

Pay can vary based on the producer's role and the filming location. As of 2022, the average annual salary for a producer in the U.S. was listed as $70,180 per year, with an estimated range from $43,000 to $150,000.[34] Producers can also have an agreement to take a percentage of a movie's sales.[35]

There is no average workday for film producers since their tasks change from day to day. A producer's work hours are often irregular and can consist of long days with the possibility of working nights and weekends.[36]

## See also

[edit]

* List of highest-grossing film producers
* List of film producers

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Frequently Asked Questions". Producers Guild of America. Archived from the original on 7 April 2010. Retrieved 19 March 2017.
2. ^ a b "Producing". London Film School.
3. ^ Ryan, Julie (23 April 2019). "How to make movies with the Adelaide-based producer of Hotel Mumbai and Red Dog". CityMag (Interview). Interviewed by Fanning, Joshua. Retrieved 24 July 2025.
4. ^ a b c "TV or film producer". National Careers Service. UK Government. Retrieved 18 February 2017.
5. ^ Cieply, Michael (8 November 2012). "Three Studios Agree to Let a Guild Certify Credits for Film Producers". The New York Times. Retrieved 26 July 2025.
6. ^ a b c "Producer". creativeskillset.org. Archived from the original on 16 September 2018. Retrieved 18 February 2017.
7. ^ "27-2012.01 - Producers". onetonline.org. Retrieved 19 March 2017.
8. ^ Weinberg, Scott (13 April 2007). "007 Writers to Tackle "Barbarella"". Rotten Tomatoes. Archived from the original on 23 July 2010. Retrieved 13 April 2007. "writers Neal Purvis and Robert Wade have been hired to pen the screenplay for producer Dino de Laurentiis"
9. ^ "William Goldman". FilmMakers.com. Retrieved 14 March 2011. "Goldman was contacted by director/producer Rob Reiner to write the screenplay"
10. ^ Rayner, Richard (November 1984). "Dune the Movie That Cost the Earth". David Lynch. Time Out. Archived from the original on 21 November 2010. Retrieved 11 November 2010. "He began work on the script. And worked on it and worked on it, pushing it through seven drafts before arriving at a version with which de Laurentiis was satisfied."
11. ^ "The Spy Who Loved Me". Universität Düsseldorf. Archived from the original on 10 May 2013. Retrieved 14 March 2013. "Broccoli insisted on a rewrite, claiming to 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"
12. ^ Bergan, Ronald (4 August 2010). "Tom Mankiewicz obituary". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 4 August 2010. "the producers Albert R Broccoli and Harry Saltzman hired him for two weeks to doctor the Richard Maibaum script of Diamonds Are Forever"
13. ^ Cady, Brian. "War and Peace (1956)". Turner Classic Movies. Archived from the original on 7 March 2013. Retrieved 14 March 2013. "Next De Laurentiis hired King Vidor, director of Duel in the Sun (1946) and The Fountainhead (1949) to make the movie"
14. ^ "Dino De Laurentiis [obituary]". The Daily Telegraph. London. 11 November 2010. Archived from the original on 11 January 2022. "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"
15. ^ "Octopussy". Universität Düsseldorf. Archived from the original on 10 May 2013. "Cubby Broccoli personally broke his own golden rule and cast her as the mysterious Octopussy"
16. ^ a b Bergan, Ronald (30 January 2011). "Bernd Eichinger [obituary]". The Guardian. London. "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"
17. ^ a b Matlack, Von Carol (10 March 2009). "Luc Besson's Growing Empire". Der Spiegel. Retrieved 10 March 2009. "Europacorp studio posted $186 million in revenues last year, making it second only to Germany's Constantin Film as Europe's largest independent studio"
18. ^ "David Morrell On Rambo". Archived from the original on 4 October 2013. Retrieved 15 March 2013. "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"
19. ^ a b c d e Zetti, Herbert (2011). Television Production Handbook 12th Edition. Cengage Learning. p. 7. ISBN 978-1285052670
20. ^ a b "Association of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) records". Special Collections: Margaret Herrick Library. Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences.
21. ^ "AMPTP". amptp.org. Retrieved 19 March 2017.
22. ^ "A Guide to Hollywood Unions | FilmmakerIQ.com" Archived 28 March 2019 at the Wayback Machine. filmmakeriq.com. Retrieved 2017-02-19.
23. ^ "About the PGA: Mission Statement". Producers Guild of America. Archived from the original on 23 March 2018. Retrieved 27 June 2017.
24. ^ Vlessing, Etan (14 December 2021). "Global Unions Call to End 'Long Hours Culture' for Film, TV Workers". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 1 April 2022.
25. ^ "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". Archived from the original on 16 April 2013. Retrieved 15 March 2013.
26. ^ "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". Retrieved 15 March 2013.
27. ^ "Course of Study - Production". Filmakademie Baden Wurttemberg GmbH.
28. ^ "Our BA in Film Production is one of our most highly sought-after courses". Archived from the original on 2 February 2013. Retrieved 15 March 2013.
29. ^ "Producing seminars teach through practical studies in production, script development, budgeting, and media economics". Archived from the original on 19 January 2013. Retrieved 15 March 2013.
30. ^ "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". Archived from the original on 13 May 2013. Retrieved 15 March 2013.
31. ^ a b "Becoming a Producer - Tried and Tested Career Paths". Student Resources. 12 June 2015. Retrieved 20 February 2017.
32. ^ "Where to Look for Internship Programs in Entertainment". The Balance. Retrieved 3 February 2017.
33. ^ "Ways into the film industry - Film Industry - Creative Skillset". creativeskillset.org. Archived from the original on 9 September 2018. Retrieved 3 February 2017.
34. ^ "Film/TV Producer Salary | PayScale". www.payscale.com. Retrieved 1 April 2022.
35. ^ "10 Highest Paying Jobs in the Film Industry". 30 May 2008.
36. ^ "Television/film/video producer job profile | Prospects.ac.uk". www.prospects.ac.uk. Retrieved 20 February 2017.

## Further reading

[edit]

* Lee, John J. Jr. (2000). The Producer's Business Handbook. Focal Press. ISBN 1136050655.
* Pardo, Alejandro (2010). "Special Issue: Production Studies: Table of Contents". Widescreen Journal. ISSN 1757-3920. Retrieved 13 August 2017.
* Simens, Dov S–S (2003). From Reel to Deal: Everything You Need to Create a Successful Independent Film. New York: Warner Books. ISBN 0759520763. OCLC 882105853.
* Turner, Cory (23 February 2011). "How Many Cooks?: Counting Up the Many Producers of 'The King's Speech'". Monkey See (blog). All Things Considered. NPR. Retrieved 13 December 2016.

## External links

[edit]

* Media related to Film producers at Wikimedia Commons
* Producers Guild of America

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Film crew (filmmaking)

Above the line

* Actor
* Leading actor
* Supporting actor
* Ensemble cast
* Character actor
* Child actor
* Cameo actor
* Bit actor
* Under-five
* Voice actor

Film director
* Screenwriter
* Film producer
* Executive producer
* Line producer
* Casting director

Below the line

| Pre-production/
Production|

* Unit production manager
* Production coordinator
* Production accountant
* Assistant director
* Production assistant
* Script supervisor
* Script coordinator
* Location manager
* Location scout
* Storyboard artist

|

Photography|

* Cinematographer / director of photography
* Camera operator
* Focus puller
* Clapper loader
* Steadicam
* Digital imaging technician
* Second unit
* Gaffer
* Best boy electric
* Lighting technician
* Key grip
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Production
design|

| Sets|

* Production designer
* Art director
* Set decorator
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* Matte painter
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* Greensman

|

Props|

* Property master
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Wardrobe|

* Costume designer
* Wardrobe supervisor

Special
effects|

* Special effects supervisor
* Visual effects supervisor

Other|

* Hairdresser
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Sound|

* Director of audiography / sound director
* Production sound mixer
* Boom operator
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Animation|

* Animator
* Visual effects
* Modeling
* Rigging
* Layout artist

Talent|

| Acting|

* Acting coach
* Body double
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* Movement director
* Choreographer
* Extra
* Talent agent
* Stand-in
* Acting instructor
* Intimacy coordinator

|

Stunts|

* Stunt coordinator
* Stunt double
* Stunt performer
* Stage combat

Other|

* Animal wrangler

Post-production|

| Picture|

* Film editor
* Colorist

|

Sound|

* Sound editor
* Dialogue editor
* Re-recording mixer
* Foley artist
* Voice foley
* Dubbing
* ADR
* Subtitles

Score|

* Composer
* Music supervisor
* Music editor
* Orchestrator

Visual
effects|

* VFX creative director
* Visual effects editor
* Compositor
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Other|

* Technical director

Other|

* Unit still photographer
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