Film Executive Producer Job Description

Producers are the businessmen of the film industry.

The executive producer is the person who oversees the production logistics and monetary aspects of a film. It is the producer's job to ensure that the film gets finished on time and under budget. His responsibilities are varied and can include casting actors, hiring the crew, consulting with the director, selling the script to studios and enforcing the shooting schedule.

Significance

The executive producer's role is akin to being a project manager. While the director is responsible for the creative side of the filmmaking process, the producer is in charge of the business side of the industry. In simple terms, it is the producer's job to take the creative half of the project and make it feasible, practical and marketable in the film industry.

Function

A producer's role is widespread and varied. In the book, "Producing for TV and New Media," American film producer Richard Zanuck is quoted as saying, "The producer is like the conductor of an orchestra. Maybe he can't play every instrument, but he knows what every instrument should sound like." Whether casting the major actors, managing the budget or selling the film to studios, the producer has two main goals: to ensure that the film gets finished and to make sure it is profitable.

Types

Film producers are often categorized into distinct "hyphenated" roles. For instance, the executive producer is often marked as being the overseer of the entire business side of production. Alternatively, the associate producer is usually in charge of physically ensuring that the film is being made on schedule. If a novel is being adapted to the big screen, the author will be made one of the film's producers, often one of the "executives," to ensure she has a say in marketing and casting.

Misconceptions

In the film industry, the role of the executive producer is often unclear. Unless one has been directly involved in the filming process, it is difficult to determine exactly what an executive producer has contributed to the project by job description alone. According to "FilmMakers Magazine," the job title "could be used to describe the person who raised every last cent to get the film made," or someone who "made one phone call to the studio and had nothing further to do with the project," or even "an actor who wants a little more credit for the film."

Famous Producers

Although executive producers work largely behind the scenes, several recognizable producers have come to dominate the film industry. Jerry Bruckheimer is often considered to be the most successful film producer of all time, based on profitability and notoriety. According to the Internet Movie Database, his projects, which include the "Pirates of the Caribbean" franchise, have grossed more than $11 billion, which helped him garner the nickname "Mr. Blockbuster." Another famous producer is Brian Grazer, who has had success with critically acclaimed films such as "Apollo 13" and "A Beautiful Mind." Finally, Frank Marshall has gained recognition for his work producing part of both the Indiana Jones and the Jason Bourne series.

References

• "FilmMakers Magazine": The Film Producer Part 1; May 2009
• "Producing for TV and New Media"; Cathrine Kellison; 2009
• Internet Movie Database: Jerry Bruckheimer