Major Producer Titles

Major Producer Titles

-Lenda Brewer

Kathryn Bigelow

There are specific Producer titles defining particular levels of responsibilities during a film or tv production. Some titles may be different, yet have comparable duties.  For example, an Associate Producer and Field Producer have similar tasks with coordinating, deciding footage, maintaining budgets and paperwork. However, a Field Producer is mainly involved on location shoots. It is vital to understand the difference, to know who has what power of authority for departmentalizing needs.

The following is a list of some of the top producer titles involved in film and television.

Steven Speilberg

Executive Producers

These are the top development decision makers in production who are involved from the development stages and beyond. Ultimately, they make executive decisions, or final decisions, that cover financing, location, distribution and licensing.  It is up to them to negotiate major contracts plus meet with investors and legal teams. As the decisions trickle down, they begin to choose above the line crew, such as Directors. They may look at submitted scripts to determine if they want to support it or produce it.

Line Producers

This is another title for a non-union Unit Production Manager. These are managers who coordinate schedules, hire crew, and assist with budgeting. They can give directives to Production Coordinators or fill in as one. Some travel with on location crew to be sure tasks run smoothly on day to day operations.  It is their responsibility to assemble, as well as, monitor the shoot progress.

Nora Ephron

Supervising Producer
This title oversees different crew teams on large staffed projects, such as post production crew, script staff, or editors. As leaders or decision makers of these staff teams, they are asked to attend production meetings to contribute and see plans followed through. Upper management go to them as points of contact for the departments they monitor.

Associate Producer

Assistant Producer
Story Producer
Many of the above three titles can be used synonymously, but essentially the same responsibilities are given. They may conduct on camera interviews, review scripts, write hotsheets, along with review footage while performing other tasks. Daily, they are in direct contact with crew and cast. Simultaneously, they take on the role as Production Coordinator or Production Assistant or they help hire those, if needed. 

Sofia Coppola

Co-Producer
The word Co, can be connected to nearly any of these titles, but mainly used with the Executive Producer title. It represents a partnership type relationship with mutual power of authority, except for a few key strategic decisions. 

Any of these titles must be problem solvers, human resources managers, budget keepers and organized leaders. They must possess professional communication skills with all involved, while being able to display writing talents. They are ultimate multi task masters, pulled in a variety of directions, with split second prioritizing capabilities. They may be expected to work nearly twelve hours a day or more, on top of weekends. 

They are not represented by unions, but for major budget productions, they are members of the Producers Guild of America. Some who are actors may have agents or belong to an agency. 

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