Learn about the key requirements, duties, responsibilities, and skills that should be in a movie producer job description.
Producers in the entertainment industry tend to the business and financial matters involved in making a movie, television show, or stage production. They oversee production and are responsible for the budget, timeline, and quality of the finished product. A producer's duties generally include:
Producers usually make all of the final business and financial decisions for a movie, TV, or stage production. They may hire and oversee the staff, which may include directors, editors, cinematographers, set and costume designers, and more. They make sure that the production is on schedule, and they're ultimately responsible for the final product. Large productions may have several producers that are in charge of different aspects of a production. For example, executive producers may oversee the big-picture aspects of a production, while a line producer manages the day-to-day aspects of a production. A producer's salary can vary depending on location, experience, and type of production. Salaries for large Hollywood productions, for example, tend to be much higher than the range here.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2017
In some cases, producers earn a percentage of ticket sales from the finished production. There are no specific educational requirements to work as a producer, but many employers require a bachelor's degree along with experience.
To be successful in this role, you’ll generally need the following skills and qualities:
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that employment in this field will grow 12 percent through 2026, which faster than the overall employment growth of 7 percent for all occupations in the country. Since this occupation is driven by deadlines and budgets it can be stressful for some people. Producers must be able to work well under pressure. They may also have to travel often, either to film on location for a movie or TV show or to tour with a theater production. However, a producing a successful finished product can reap many rewards. The length of production time can vary from one job to the next, from days to months to years. Work hours can also vary from job to job, as well. One out of three producers work more than 40 hours per week, according to the BLS, and many work on weekends and evenings. People who are interested in becoming producers may also consider other careers with these median salaries:
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2017
You can start on the path of becoming a producer by taking assistant or other jobs in the industry and building your connections and experience. Job websites specific to entertainment production include: ProductionHUB.com This website offers job listings specifically in film and video production and other resources for people in the industry. EntertainmentCareers.net This is a paid, membership-based job search platform for people in the entertainment industry, and it includes jobs in TV and film production. OffStageJobs.com This website offers job listings for the theater and live entertainment industry.
The question, What is a Producer?, is not an easy one to answer; primarily, because the term ‘producer’ is rather vague and confusing and it covers a particularly wide range of roles. However, while producers typically wear many hats, there is one way to separate them from everyone else working on a movie, television show, radio program, or theater project. They are the people responsible for providing the necessary infrastructure, resources, and logistics that allow the people involved only with the creative process to do their creative thing. Producers, therefore, are the indispensable executors who handle money, schedules, contracts, personnel, and a multitude of other less glamourous tasks that are essential to making a production happen. It is also important to note that the work of a producer often begins even before a creative project is envisioned. The role of some producers, especially those working for a single movie studio or production company, may include finding would-be projects and forging relationships with writers, directors, other producers, and other creatives who may have the next big idea. Among these creatives may be book writers, comic book creators, and other intellectual property holders whose works or personal stories or experiences have potential for licensing as a movie, TV show, or theatrical production. The most accomplished – and prolific – producers extend their relationships to include investors, celebrities, and key personnel such as casting agents, cinematographers, and costume designers. So, in short, it seems that producers are the support system for artists. They are the people who find the story, who connect investors to their vision, and who ultimately bring structure to the typically chaotic process of film, television/radio, and theatrical production. They are tasked with remaining focused on the big picture – literally and figuratively – and with ensuring that the entire production machine runs smoothly and efficiently from conception to completion, to marketing, and to the audience. They are the managers, collaborators, enablers, and problem solvers. It has been said that producers are truly the adults in the room, who give the dreamers a safe place to play and weave their magic. Before outlining some of the specific tasks and responsibilities that make up a producer’s role, here are excerpts from interviews with several working producers, in which they explain their day-to-day job: Emma Brunjes Vicky Graham James Seabright Edward Snape Matthew Byam Shaw Carole Winter Michael Harrison Tobias Round Paul Elliott Chris Stafford Danielle Tarento So, while the job of a producer can be articulated in more than one way, it is clear that the role is one of vision, leadership, authority, and control. The following focuses more on the job of a producer in film, television, or theater; with the primary emphasis being on film production. While radio program production may involve some of these aspects, it is typically considerably less complex. In the simplest of terms, a producer has three major areas of responsibility:
These three areas of responsibility translate into a rather large portfolio of work. Producers have overall control of every aspect of a production. They bring together and approve the entire production team. Above all, they must create an environment in which the talents of the cast and crew can flourish. Producers are accountable for the success of the finished movie, television show, or theatrical production. They steer it from beginning to completion and beyond. Not surprisingly, then, the responsibilities of the producer span all four phases of production: Development Phase The producer is commonly the first person to get involved in a project. In the development stage, producers are often responsible for coming up with the idea for a production, or selecting a screenplay. They secure the rights and choose the screenwriter and story editing team. They raise the development financing and supervise the development process. Typically, the development phase is the longest and can take many years with no guarantee of the project ever seeing the dark of a cinema. After purchasing the right to develop the source material, the producer will work with the writer to develop the screenplay. As the script advances, a director will be brought on board who will, invariably, have input into the further development of the screenplay. Together, the creative team will establish the best way to turn pages of paper into a film. To give the project the best chance in the marketplace, the producer will seek to attach at least one high-profile actor who satisfies the creative needs of the story, as well as the expectations of potential investors who are seeking to mitigate their risk. The producer must balance the needs of each party with the overall vision for the project; it is not uncommon for the creative and financial needs to be at odds with each other. Pre-production Phase In pre-production, producers hire other key members of the creative team. This includes the cinematographer, production designer, musicians, choreographers, costume designers, and principal cast members. They conduct salary and contract negotiations, and must be familiar with relevant workplace legislation and union or association agreements. Producers also help the executive producers raise money for the production. Once initial financing is secured, producers select heads of departments and other production personnel. They also approve locations, the hiring of a production studio, the final shooting script, the production schedule, and the budget. Smart time and money spent in pre-production can reduce the amount of time and money wasted when production gets underway. Throughout the development and pre-production phases, the Pitch Package for potential investors is put together. This process may involve a film financing company and sales organizations which will sell the film to foreign distributors. The pitch package typically consists of:
Production Phase Once the film is in production, producers oversee the day-to-day operation of the production team. They are the first point of contact for all production partners, investors, and distributors. They work particularly closely with the director and other key creatives, both on and off set. Throughout this stage, the director makes creative decisions, while the producer makes the business, financial, and logistical decisions, approving all script changes and cost reports. Producers do their fair share of troubleshooting during production, dealing with actors, crews, and technical difficulties that call for additional hires. They are expected to provide reassurance among stress. Post-production Phase During post-production, producers liaise with the director and members of the post-production team to accomplish the following:
Considering the breadth of responsibility that accompanies the title of Producer, it is rare to find one individual who has the expertise and vision to effectively execute all of the tasks across all four phases of production. On multi-million-dollar productions, especially, practicality may dictate that a hierarchy of producers is required: Executive Producer (EP) Co-Executive Producer Producer Co-Producer Associate Producer Assistant Producer Line Producer Unit Production Manager (UPM) All of the above roles are vital, particularly to larger-scale and larger-budget creative projects. Each set of responsibilities can be expanded to support the foundational role: that of the producer. If the director makes a creative idea happen creatively, then the producer makes a creative idea happen logistically. Without his or her idea and ability to inspire the right people, there are no logistics to plan and no need to hire a support team to implement them. The work environment is high-stress with a great deal of pressure. Assignments may be short, ranging from commercials to training videos to radio shorts; or they may be longer, ranging from documentaries to music videos to feature films. Many producers are self-employed, while others are employed directly by the motion picture or video industry or in radio and television broadcasting. Some producers work in performing arts and sporting industries, cable television, or radio. Hours are irregular and often very long, with weekend, evening, and holidays forming part of the regular work day. The work location for a producer may be a theatre or soundstage, a television studio, or a radio station. Much of the producer's work is done outside of the workplace. The job may also be mobile when filming on location or traveling with a touring company. Weather conditions may sometimes be a factor. Although producers in the U.S. and Canada can find work in different production fields almost anywhere, much of the work is concentrated in several large centres that serve as the hub of the motion picture industry. Many producers work on contract and move from one location to another, often learning the trade in other countries with major film industry centres, such as Bollywood or Teluga cinema, France, or Hong Kong. Films are also sometimes produced in these other centres as a way to manage costs.
Producers rank highly among careers. Overall they rank in the 77th percentile of careers for satisfaction scores. Please note that this number is derived from the data we have collected from our Sokanu members only. The reasoning behind this result may be rather simple: people who work in the arts generally have a lot to be happy about. The arts are fairly free-form and flexible and they allow – in fact, require – a high degree of creativity. Instead of seeking a creative outlet, artists work in one. One recent study showed that of the six activities that make people happiest, four were arts related and theater/dance was one of the four.
Producers are involved throughout every stage of a film, television, or theater project, from conception to final production and distribution. Before deciding to pursue this profession, take time to consider both its demands and the skills required to carry them out: Demands Decide which projects to produce, or independently initiate project ideas Read scripts Secure the rights to books or scripts for screenplays, or negotiate with writers to produce new screenplays Determine the resources that are needed Identify sources of financing and raise funds Research, review, and approve locations Negotiate terms with distributors and broadcasters Oversee production plans, promotion, and schedules Recruit and hire key staff, including writers, directors, production crew, and cast Ensure completion of post-production work Manage production budget Required skills Creativity and vision Presentation and negotiation skills Leadership and management ability Planning and organizational skills Financial acumen and budgeting skills Being comfortable with the components of the producer’s role and confident that you possess or can develop the aptitudes needed to succeed in it are certainly significant steps toward a potential career in the field. It should also be noted, though, that the job’s hours are typically very long and often very irregular. In addition, full-time work is extremely rare; freelance contracting is the norm in this industry.
It is difficult to state definitively how long it takes to become a producer because the path to the job varies greatly among the people who pursue it. What is true is that most aspiring producers earn a university degree. A typical Bachelor’s program can be completed in four years and a Master’s in another two. It is after this four- or six- year educational track that the path to working as a producer diverges, at least somewhat. While the majority of graduates looking to enter the production industry do so at lower-level assistant positions, there is no standard of how long they need to progress to the role of producer. This progression depends on a combination of talent, opportunity, ambition, and some luck.
With many jobs in the production industry, there is a degree of interchangeability. Training in one field can often be carried over into different roles. That said, there are some reliable starting points and steps that typically carve the path to becoming a producer.
Based on our pool of users, producers tend to be predominately artistic people. Certainly, it is no surprise that producers have a strong artistic bent. Film, television, and theater productions are by nature creative endeavors, which involve artists of many kinds. To successfully collaborate with all of these professionals, even while managing the business aspects of the production, the producer at the helm must understand and relate to their artist spirits. Producers are also known as: |