A film producer or movie producer is someone who creates the scenes and conditions for making movies. The producer initiates, co-ordinates, supervises and controls matters such as fund-raising, hiring key personnel and arranging for distributors. The producer is involved throughout all phases of the film-making process from development to completion of a project.

In the first half of the 20th century, the producer also tended to wield ultimate creative control on a film project. In the U.S., with the demise of Hollywood's studio system in the 1950s, creative control began to shift into the hands of the director.

Changes in movie and film distribution and marketing in the 1970s and '80s gave rise to the modern-day phenomenon of the Hollywood blockbuster, which tended to bring power back into the hands of the producer. While marketing and advertising for films accentuates the role of the director, apart from a few well-known film-makers, it is usually the producer who has the greatest degree of control in the American film industry.^{[citation needed]} Many producers today are paid as a minimum $120,000 to $300,000 a movie.

Traditionally, the producer is considered the chief of staff while the director is in charge of the line. This "staff and line" organization mirrors that of most large corporations and the military. Under this arrangement, the producer has overall control of the project and can terminate the director, but the director actually makes the film.^[1] The "line producer" is thus a producer who assists with day-to-day financial and production concerns "on the line" as the film is being made.

[edit] Definitions

• Producer: A film producer creates the conditions for making movies. 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 development to "delivery" of a project.
• Executive producer: In major productions, can sometimes be a representative or CEO of the film studio. Or the title may be given as an honorarium to a major investor. Often they oversee the financial, administrative and creative aspects of production, though not always in a technical capacity. In smaller companies or independent projects, it may be synonymous with creator/writer. Often, a "Line Producer" is awarded this title if this producer has a lineage of experience, or is involved in a greater capacity than a "typical" line producer. E.G - working from development through post, or simply bringing to the table a certain level of expertise.
• Co-producer: A producer who reports to the Producer or Executive Producer. Sometimes they provide money to finance a project, though in that case they are often called the Producer or Executive Producer. In large productions, the Co-Producer is more involved in the day-to-day production, functioning as a Line Producer. In independent projects, this title has the same definition.
• 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 for an experienced film professional acting as a consultant or a title granted as a courtesy to one who makes a major financial, creative or physical contribution to the production.
• Assistant producer: Usually works under the direction of the Associate Producer. This title is not typically used in feature films.
• Production director: A representative of the film company assigned to the set and given the authority to act on behalf of the senior production-team members. This title is not typically used in feature films.
• Line producer: Oversees a film's budget and day-to-day activities, reports to the studio or financier, and acts as a conduit between the studio/financier and the production team (including the Director).
• Production supervisor: Performs managerial duties. Usually considered the "non-union" Production Manager, as they have the responsibilities of hiring crew, signing time cards, approving costs, etc.
• Production manager: Manages the studio.
• Post production supervisor: Supervises the post team in movies.^{[clarification needed]}
• Production designer: Usually oversees the on screen visual aspects of a location or set - including stage dressing, props, color palette, and set design.
• Administrative Producer: Reports to the Board of Directors. Freelancers are employed by the Administrative Producer for specific tasks such as press and publicity activities, design, production management, etc. This position is not used on feature films.
• Consulting Producer

[edit] See also

• List of film producers
• List of television producers
• List of Hollywood movie studios
• List of movie-related topics
• Producers Guild of America
• Television producer
• Contrast with Film director
• Filmmaking
• Film production

[edit] References

Notes

Further reading

[edit] External links

• List of Film Production Companies Scouting New Screenplays and Movie Concepts
• Producers Guild of America Frequently Asked Questions