Producing : Defining What a Producer Is by Martin Reese

Here you are! https://www.stage32.com/blog/Can-Someone-Tell-Me-What-Producers-Even-Do

Depends on what status/market you are aiming for. Same as pro sports! One of my guys played professional basketball in Russia & Europe. He made an okay living but he couldn’t play in the NBA.

Here in the USA, we got labor unions. My definition of “producer” is a person with a union card and Academy membership.

Anyone who buys my scripts... :) kidding aside, as Dan mentioned it depends. Here, this side a ocean there is no clear definition. Many European films, especially in the Balkans are mostly funded by the state controlled film funds hence the government is the producer...but it's not just like that. You have Slovenian sound designer, you have make - up artist from Bosnia, then you have DOP & equipment leased from Serbia and they all say we will co-finance if you roll us in the project. Making movies here is still a rare and major event so everyone wants piece a cake once one starts the oven.

So good!

I have no idea - an I are one!

I feel sure I got this from On The Page (podcast) about how to approach AFM, but here it goes - there are three main types of "producers". Creative Producers, Line Producers, and Executive Producers.

Executive Producers - Provide or Secure the funds (or resources) to make the project happen (pitching, sales, securing distribution, attracting A-list talent, etc.)

Line Producers - Know how to use the funds (or resources) to make the project happen (schedule, budget, locations, hiring below-the-line crew, etc.)

Creative Producers - Know how to translate the intention of the content to all parties - these are the ones who know how to package a script, attach talent, hire the right director, and keep all of those creative minds on the same page. The unfortunate part of this description is that this person starts as a development executive, but may never have the opportunity to help maintain that vision throughout the production and post-production process.

Everyone else is just some version of a supporting role to these three categories. Unfortunately, the specifics of what the title means do change per film/television genre. For example, when I did unscripted television (true crime, food network, motor trend, etc.), the traditionally "Assistant Director" role is given the title "Associate Producer"... for absolutely no good reason I have been able to ascertain. A "producer" on a documentary would fill the traditional role of a "director", choosing who to interview, what questions to ask, even what B-roll to capture. Ultimately, I say the producer is "that person that gets shit done".