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Just What Does a Producer Do?
by Kevin Gardner
Nearly everyone loves the movies. Seeing the story play out on the big screen is exciting, no matter which genre of film you're watching. As the credits roll, you may find yourself wondering what exactly goes into making a movie. Specifically, what does it mean when someone is listed as a producer? To help answer that question, here are five things that a producer has to do before the movie hits theaters.
1. Secure Financing
The first step is to secure the money needed to make a movie, which is called the budget. This amount can and does vary widely based on the type of movie and how big of a release it will be. No matter what the budget, though, it falls to the producer to find it. Typically, the producer will get loans from various sources. Loans may come from a production company that they own, or they may come from private individuals. Other money may come from distribution companies or movie studios who want to have a hand in making the movie. Regardless of the source, the producer must make sure that he or she makes deals in good faith. Otherwise, the only person who will be telling the story of the movie may be a court stenographer during the resulting lawsuits.
2. Hire Crew Members
With the money in place, the producer's next job is to start hiring crew members. The director is the most important role, and that person can then assist with hiring other crew. The screenwriter, the director of photography, the casting director, the head of the art department, and the cinematographer are also vital roles to get filled as soon as possible. Without them, a movie has very little chance of ever seeing the light of day. It is also the job of the producer to ensure that everyone works well together as a team.
3. Cast Actors
While officially falling to the casting director, the casting of each role is also overseen by a producer. The producer may sit in on auditions with actors and actresses, meet with the casting director and team to discuss options, and offer feedback on which actors they think would be the best fit. A movie can easily succeed or fail on the basis of its cast. If there is no chemistry between the performers, the audience won't get invested in the story and the movie may fall flat. That would be very bad news for a producer, so he or she is likely going to be very interested in booking the right cast.
4. Oversee Filming
Once the roles have all been cast and filming begins, the producer's role switches to supervision. The producer oversees the entire filming process. Often, it is the producer who has to mediate disputes between cast or crew members, handle filming delays or schedule changes, keep an eye on the budget to be sure money is being spent wisely, and otherwise ensure that filming goes smoothly. In a way, the work is similar to data engineering but with people and film instead of data points.
5. Coordinate Post-Production
The final step in making a movie is the post-production process. The film has to be edited into its final version, and then it has to be marketed to the audience. A producer will oversee the editing process to make sure it all runs smoothly. Then, he or she will also oversee the marketing process. This involves having a hand in the entire sales pipeline from ad creation to ticket sale tracking. After all, the best measure of a movie's success is the number of people who see it.
A producer has a hand in nearly every part of a movie's creation. It's a fun and exciting career, but it also comes with a ton of work. From the first hire to the final cut, the producer's role is only done once the movie hits the screen. The next time you fall in love with a movie, be sure to thank the producers for bringing it to life.
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