Fake Producer = A leach that takes and takes, while adding no real value.
Real Producer = An asset that gives you so much value, you can’t wait to pay it back.
Most people hate producers… and rightfully so. They often leach onto projects and suck them dry of money without adding any real value at all (let alone with interest). However, real producers do the opposite. They walk alongside you throughout your project providing creative support, emotional council and business acumen that is so valuable, you cannot believe you get to have this person in your corner. If your producer doesn’t make you feel this way… fire their ass.
Thoughts?
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I was just speaking with a creative who had a producer make promises, not deliver, and took the project money with nothing to show for it. There are good producers out there!
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Producers can also get caught in the Erin Brockovich predicament - sometimes they do all this work upfront, but don't get paid unless you "win". That's a lot to ask of anyone, much less someone you don't know. So, it's hard to find a producer who has figured out what they can and cannot do until they get paid for what you're asking them to do. Be cautious of your ask but grateful for the return.
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Love both of these comments. Yeah, in my personal journey as both a film producer and an owner of an agency, my experience with producing has always been towards making any one film product a profitable investment. So, when I see producers latch on to "eager" young filmmakers and make them pay money for a film the producer knows is a high risk investment, it feels disingenuous to me. I feel like it is our job as producers to make the creative, or director, of any one film project feel as supported and become profitable as possible. But, as we all know, this is not a perfect science. :)
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Wow thanks for the tips!
Actually, there is another great conversation about the definition of a "producer" - I'd love for y'all to chime in on that one, too! https://www.stage32.com/lounge/producing/Defining-What-a-Producer-Is
Good advice Jacob Matthew
It's a tricky one - I'm in complete agreement with Kay and it really is a balancing act that requires honest communication from everyone. I'm concerned about the idea of any producer asking for money directly from filmmakers though, yikes! It sounds like you've come across some bad ones!