What Does a Documentary Producer Do?

Often accountable for both writing and producing an independent documentary film, the documentary producer is the person in charge of everything from hiring the crew to managing the budget. Ultimately, the documentary producer is responsible for the success or failure of the production.

Significance

A documentary film's premise is to recreate or feature a live event on film. This cinematic tradition is rooted in reality and is identified by recording real-life occurrences for historical or entertainment purposes. A documentary producer may originate the idea for the production or may work in conjunction with a writer to construct the direction of the film. An independent documentary producer can also find film projects that need funding, help raise funds and attach notable actors to the documentary.

Considerations

The two most important roles of a documentary producer are to create a safe working environment for the cast and crew and to hire the best people to execute the director's vision. A documentary producer must be a master of negotiation and people management. The completion of the project is dependent upon the producer's enthusiasm, skill, ability to hire the right team and strict adherence to budget constraints.

Types

A producer is hired based on his experience in the six types of documentary films: historical, re-enactment, biographical, expository, participatory and observational. If the documentary is an independent film, the producer may take on many more roles, such as director and narrator, if needed. Documentaries produced by independent writers who also functioned as documentary producers include: Michael Moore's "Roger and Me," "Bowling for Columbine" and "Sicko," as well as Morgan Spurlock's "Super Size Me."

Misconceptions

Becoming a documentary film producer requires more than a love of film and an ability to organize people. Producers, if hired by major film studios, are beholden to the whims and requests of the entities financing and distributing the film. Although acquiring funds for a documentary film is a laborious and tedious process, securing national and international distribution is just as difficult.

Expert Insight

The documentary producer is an integral member of the preproduction team. From developing the documentary's core idea to identifying shooting locations, finding a skilled cinematographer and hiring the director, a documentary producer must not only be a skilled human-resources manager, but also a superior problem-solver.
Producing credits are often given to investors of the film or actors who ask for a credit as a condition of their employment. On small projects with limited funding, writers and crew members act as producers to reduce the costs of making the film.

Resources

• DV Handbook -- What does a producer do?