Just What Is A Producer's Job Anyway?
Producers are different things to different people, making this question difficult to answer. There are no detailed job descriptions and no two producers handle their jobs in exactly the same way. Is it any wonder that both audiences, and many 'insiders', are bewildered by the proliferation of producer credits in films?
The producer credit has often been an olive branch - an award for
unearned or unclassifiable contributions to a film. This
makes the nature of the job difficult to determine and has now
become something of a joke. Recent years have seen attempts
to cull this trend - most from genuine producers and their guilds.
So, rather than try to define what a producer is, let's start with what
a producer is 'supposed' to be. Also, let's discuss how the
roles of producer and director can both conflict and compliment
each other. This will help to clear up confusions that arise
resulting from many of the bulletin board postings we see created
by directors 'seeking' producers to make 'their' films.
WHO HIRES WHO?
Contrary to what many may think, a producer is usually the first
person attached to a project and is considered to be the person in
charge of the entire film. Further, it is usually the producer who
recruits and hires the talent that will work on the film, which
includes the director.
Does that mean the director works for the producer? Almost
without exception this is certainly the case. The producer
has the veto power over any of the director's decisions.
This authority, however, is only exercised as a last resort - if
the budget or project is straying from that specified by
the studio.
Quite often, with smaller independent studios, the producer 'is' the
studio. In this event, the producer's authority is more clearly
defined. The producer also hires the principal actors,
cinematographer and editor, to name a few. Established directors
may have equal say in selecting key cast and crew, but this is
still the exception rather than the rule.
There are many considerations, other than artistic, that must be considered when making a film. Certainly a director would prefer to choose principal stars, but the producer is often the one to decide this on 'marketability'. The director may be able choose actors better suited to their 'vision', but they are not the ones who have to sell the film.
WHO'S MAKING THIS FILM?
Why does the producer wield such power when the director is clearly the
one making the film? This is explained by a conflict of
interest that is not easily resolved. The director's
principal role is to make the best film possible. To this
effect, the producer will often allow
considerable latitude.
However, it is the producer's role to ensure the film stays within
budget and within the guidelines the studio has established.
Many films have simply run out of money due to directors
overspending to make the best film possible and the film never
gets finished. Who would be to blame then? Simply
stated, both the director and the producer!
The bottom line is that, in most cases, it's not the director's money
that's at stake. A good analogy would if you decide to
refurbish your house on the basis of a finite bank loan. Armed
with a wad of cash you hire builders to do the work but, instead,
they start telling you what you will be getting - which isn't what
you want.
Yet you're expected to keep forking out money for what you haven't
asked for and what you don't want. It wouldn't be
unreasonable for you to say 'hold on a minute. I'm paying you and I
expect to get what I want'. The same principle holds when a
producer hires a director and that is why the producer
has the final say.
The producer, or an authorized representative, is often present during
and after filming. They act as a supervisor making practical
or procedural decisions to enable the director to concentrate on
directing. It is the producer who decides the shooting
schedule and any changes necessitated by weather or other
logistics.
THE BUCK STOPS HERE!
The producer is the one the studio calls with any questions or
concerns, for this is where the buck stops. All major financial
and organizational decisions rest with the producer. Both
the producer and director are normally involved in the editing
process but, unless a 'director's cut' has been negotiated, the
producer decides on any final revisions.
At this stage, the director fades from the picture and the producer
takes control of any commercials or promotional trailers, posters
and other marketing decisions. So, now we know what a producer is
supposed to do, what exactly is a director supposed to do?
This is more clearly defined than the role of a producer. Once
hired by the producer, the director orchestrates the artistic and
creative aspects of a film. A director, with the possible
exception of principal 'name stars' will be asked for input into
the choice of actors. Though less common, this may
also extend to input into the selection of crew.
GO WITH THE FLOW
The reason the producer will normally be the one to select the crew is
for practical considerations. Crew are more directly linked
to 'production flow' while cast are linked to 'creative
flow'. Locations and budgetary assignments are normally
selected in discussions between the director and producer.
Any activity that defines and realises the artistic vision of the film
is the director's arena. The degree of control that a
director has in a film can vary considerably but is usually
dependent upon the director's reputation and proven ability.
This line blurs somewhat with director/producers but directors
normally enjoy considerable latitude.
Simply put, the director is responsible for taking the film from
the screenplay to a completed film, but this does not mean
exclusive control or input into other areas. A film can be
enhanced by allowing the director as much license as possible but,
as is currently the norm in film production, the producer's
decisions must, out of necessity, take priority.
Another article from CJ Cookson How to Fund You Independent Film! is here:
http://www.netribution.co.uk/2/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=335