Ever wonder what a producer of a film does? We’re here to answer that very question. As you know, to create a film, it’s not just about actors and directors. The film actually starts and stops with the producer. In this article, we’re going to look at exactly what film producers do and why they’re important.
What Does a Film Producer Do?
Let’s take a closer look at all the roles a film producer has to fill.
Finding and Shaping the Film Idea
Every film project begins by looking for a story to tell. Whether it’s a true story, or from a book, the producer is the person who looks for these fresh ideas.
Once the idea has been captured, it has to be turned into a concept that is film-worthy. A producer then works with writers to get the finer details of the film in terms of how the story should be told. The way you can look at this is, the producer produces the world, and the writers fill in the world.
Raising the Money
A good idea isn’t enough to create a film. One of the most important responsibilities of a producer is to get the funding for the film. It’s important that the producer is well-connected in the industry.
Hiring the Director
It’s important to have the best person who can bring the idea to life on film. The producer will vet and hire a director for the film. Since the director is in charge of the production side of the film, the producer will take more of a backseat once the right person has been chosen.
Choose the Cast
Although casting is the responsibility of the casting director, the producer has some say in this. This is usually the case since the producer is most likely the money person, which means the buck stops with them.
Production and Post-Production
For the most part the producer will not be too involved with the production part of the film, leaving that to the director. Even with post-production editing and bringing the film together, that will mostly be up to the editors and director.
Marketing the Film
Once the film is completed and it’s time to advertise to the world, the producer steps back in. The producer will start work with the marketing team to develop a strategy to build up the hype around the film and submit it for relevant festivals and tours.
Negotiating Worldwide Rights
Once the film has been marketed and the hype is built, it’s time for the producer to negotiate distribution deals for the film worldwide. The producer will work with the investors, director, and stars to determine the best way to maximize their investments.
Final Thoughts
So, back to the original question of what a producer does. They are involved in a bit of everything but play the biggest role, which is creating the project in the first place. Without the producers, you wouldn’t have those favorite movies you love to watch on a rainy day.