What Does a Film Producer Do? And 7 Types of Producers

What Is a Film Producer?

A film producer is the coordinator of the entire film process. Film producers are responsible for essentially assembling the entirety of a film project. A producer oversees hiring the entire film crew, idea development, and funding and supervises all pre-production, production, and post-production events until the film’s release. Producers work behind the scenes to ensure that everything runs according to the plan. That means they offer resources, logistical help, contract negotiations, and even help out with scheduling the entire film process. 

Film producers are the glue that holds together a film’s artistic, imaginative ideas and the practical execution of said concepts. Without film producers, it’s hard for a film project to get very far at all. Let’s take a look at a few common responsibilities a film producer carries throughout a film project.

What Does a Producer Do in Film?

A film producer wears many different hats. A producer’s chief job is to ensure the artistic and commercial success of a film project. Yeah, that’s one big job to do. From the development phase to the film’s release, a film producer works hard to create a seamless production. Below is how a film producer’s time is usually spent:

• Development Phase: The development phase is essentially the act of getting an idea off the paper onto the screen. Producers can be involved in multiple development phases at once. Film producers conceptualize or pick a pre-written script, assemble the creative team and director, organize a film’s funding, and build high-profile connections. In this stage, producers also act as the mediator between the creative team and director while film ideas fly around. 
• Pre-Production: This is when the film project begins to take off. Producers expand the creative team to incorporate cinematographers, designers, animators, and more. Occasionally, producers will have a say in who’s cast depending on the film’s scope. When everything is organized, the producer assembles a pitch pack and searches for the financing needed to start the project. The producer will also make final decisions/approvals on locations, studios, production schedule, and the budget. 
• Production: After the initial setup process, film producers can partner with directors for budget discussions or creative ideation but usually producers will simply act as overseers. When filming begins, it’s the producers’ responsibility to ensure it stays within budget and on schedule. This is a time for producers to take charge of business, financial, and logistical aspects while supervising the creative process. An experienced producer will take more time in pre-production, to reduce budget wastes and cut down delays during film production. 
• Post-Production: Producers oversee the post-process such as editing clips, adding effects or soundtracks, color grading, and more. Then, the film producer selects the final footage that would look best on-screen and fit the audience’s expectations. Producers also schedule preview screenings and media promotions during this time. Depending on how screenings perform, the producer can ask for an alternative ending or additional scenes to be filmed by the crew. 
• Release: The success of a film is heavily reliant on marketing tactics and the publicity it receives. At this time, a producer’s focus shifts to deciding on promotion materials, release and distribution rights, cast appearances or festival entries, and ensuring the film’s stakeholders see a return on investment. In the end, producers make sure the countless hours of hard work by the entire film crew and production team pay off big time.

Are you starting to see how much goes into film production? It’s a huge undertaking. The good news is that film producers usually don’t have to carry out these duties alone. We’re here to share several well-known production roles and what these individuals manage behind the scenes.

7 Different Types of Film Producers

Due to the long list of tasks a producer is responsible for, it’s next to impossible to do it solo. A film’s primary producer delegates tasks to multiple producers to make their job more efficient. These roles range from a line producer or supervising producer to a field producer or editing producer. Here are 7 common types of film producers:

• Executive Producer: Controls the entirety of a film project. An executive producer (EP) secures finances and film funding, manages a film’s business aspects, and ensures the project is on schedule. 
• Line Producer: Manages the film’s crew and staff members’ daily tasks. A line producer’s key role is to oversee every physical aspect of production such as forming a budget or monitoring spending.
• Supervising Producer: Involved in the creative aspects of a film production. Supervising producers help with screenplay development, overseeing script writers, and guiding the creative progression. 
• Producer: Initiate, schedule, and manage every production logistical need. Producers help with every stage of a film project from overseeing creative direction to meeting deadlines and handling finances. 
• Co-producer: The film’s producer’s right hand. Co-producers supervise various roles and add their skills, resources, and industry connections to ensure the film’s success. 
• Coordinating Producer: A “manager of managers.” Coordinating producers work to align the efforts of various producers, guaranteeing that all team members are working towards the same goal. 
• Field Producer: Manage production at on-location shooting sites. Field producers oversee scenes outside a studio and support the executive producer while on site. 

This is only a glimpse at the vast variety of film producers. The number of producers hired depends entirely on the size and budget of the film project. The production process can also include Consulting Producers, Edit Producers, Segment Producers, and more. 

Finding reliable producers is an entirely separate challenge. Oftentimes, it takes high-profile industry connections or a stellar story idea pitched to potential producers. We’ll make it easy on you. Our team of experienced film producers are out-of-the-box thinkers with a knack for video production that connects to the heart of the audience. No more searching for your project’s upcoming film producers. Avalanche Studios is waiting to partner with you.

Find a Team of Expert Film Producers For Your Next Project

If you can’t find talented film producers or need help transferring a story from script to screen, Avalanche Studios is where you will find answers. Our comprehensive award-winning team is full of excellent producers, editors, directors, and expert filmmakers who practice storytelling daily. With our team, you won’t need to hire multiple producers! We take care of the pre-production, production, and post-production process of film projects ranging from TV commercials to powerful documentaries. If you’re looking for trusted film producers based in northern Utah, we’ll share your narrative with the world. Contact us today to learn more about our services, and request a quote from our film crew.