Executive Producer vs Producer
The executive producer is one who supervises other producers working on the same project. Executive Product is superior to producer and manages the financing for film production whereas a Producer is responsible for organizing and pulling together several film production daily activities.
When it comes to film production, certain crewmembers work together to create an outstanding performance. In overseeing film production, film producers take charge of the activities, not solely, but with others’ help, including producers, scriptwriters, gaffers, actors, editors, directors, makeup artists, props managers, and many more.
A film producer is responsible for organizing and pulling together several film production features, which encompass editing, directing, scripting, and many more. Film producers could work on one’s jack or maybe, hired by a production hub. Have you seen a movie and waited until the end to see the cast and crew? One of the possibilities is you seeing the movie having lots of Producers and an Executive producer; then you wonder if an executive producer and producer are actually different. Of course, producers and executive producers are different.
This article will help shed light on the following:
- What an executive producer is
- Required skills to become an executive producer
- Job description and duties
- What a producer is
- Required skills to become a producer
- Jobs and duties of a producer
- Salary range
- Differences between a producer and an executive producer
- Summary
What Is An Executive Producer?
The executive producer is one who supervises other producers working on the same project. Majorly they are the ones who create and manage the financing for film production. They are more like the financial powerhouse of any film production. In addition, the executive producers could mean the company that provided the funding for the film production.
Often executive producers serve as a bridge between the producers and film investors/financiers. However, an executive producer (EP) for Television series differs from an executive producer for film production. This because an EP for Television series supervises production by focusing on the creative aspect like scriptwriting and daily operation. While a film, executive producer’s major responsibility is finance.
Required Skills To Become An Executive Producer:
There are important skills to be acquired for an executive producer to be top-notch, They are:
- Film Market Insight Skills
- An executive Producer has a film market insight, which means the ability to know ways and places to make money. Film production is a business, and as such, an executive producer needs to have a good sense of judgment and understanding when it comes to business.
- Communication Skills
- Executive producers should have excellent written and verbal communication skills, like interpersonal skills, coaching, negotiating, pitching, and motivating others.
- Organizing Skills
- An executive producer can analyze, delegate responsibilities, manage time, plan, be flexible, prioritize, and schedule events or duties.
- Problem- Solving Skills
- This is an essential skill for an executive producer. This is due to some uncertainties, hence the need for strong problem-solving skills.
- Budgeting Skills
- The executive producer has the role of financing the film project, hence ensures that production is within the approved and allocated budget.
- Networking Skills
- The executive producer has good agents to recruit talent for film production.
- Management Skills
- Executive producers make several decisions that have to do with the success of the project. Some of which include decision making when it comes to management and allocation of budgets.
- Job Description and Duties
- When it comes to film production, there are three stages. They are; the pre-production stage, production stage, and post-production stage. Hence, the duties of an executive producer fall under all three stages.
I. The Pre-Production Stage
At this stage, the executive producer has the responsibility of hiring, talent acquisition and financing (which also includes the setting of budget).
- Hiring: The executive producer hires producers who would help achieve the said project. However, in some cases, the producer may work to hire the executive producer. However, most of the time, the reverse is the case.
- Talent acquisition: For a film production to come out exceptional, the executive producer has to hire actors and directors required. The executive producer has the responsibility of negotiating the contract or reaching an agreement with the talents needed for the production; be it actors or other crewmembers.
- Financing: The executive producer has to find finances from sponsors (which could be individuals or financial institutions) or others or possibly finance the film independently. However, if the studio is paying for the production, the executive producers are laden with the responsibility of presenting the film production budget to the studio for approval.
- Budgeting: The executive producer has the responsibility of approving an allocated budget.
II. The Production Stage
While The Film Making Is On, The Executive Producer Has To Do The Following:
- If the film brand employs an executive producer, the executive producer is to ascertain that the production follows the company’s style and values.
- Also, to at least see the creativity level by going to the set at least once.
III. Post-Production
At the post-production stage, the executive producer previews the cut of the film and gives remarks or feedback.
Executive Producer Salary
The average pay for an executive producer is about $150,223 a year. In some countries, executive producers have the highest pay amongst the film production crew. However, in some cases, it could be lesser or even more.
Who is a Producer?
Within the production process, a producer can oversee, arrange, manage, and begin every single aspect. They are involved in every single stage of the overall production process. The producer is usually available on set to supervise the film or show production.
Required Skills To Become A Producer:
- Communication Skills: A producer should have excellent written and verbal communication skills, like interpersonal skills, negotiating, and motivating others.
- Leadership Skills: To execute the activities involved in film production successfully, a producer should have leadership skills. A producer must be able to take charge and lead effectively.
- Time Management: Another skill necessary for a producer is the ability to manage time effectively. A producer should be able to work between the designated periods and deliver effectively.
- Analytical Thinking Skills: A producer should have the ability to think analytically before production, during, and after production. A producer should have the ability to think outside the box should incase the need arises.
- Delegation Skills: Since the producer is also partially in charge of hiring talents, a producer should also delegate functions to several persons effectively and ensure persons assigned the duties to do them diligently.
- Management Skills: A producer should be able to make several decisions that have to do with the project’s success.
- A producer should be able to make the decision, handle issues that have to do with the production and success of the production.
- Multitasking Skills: One of the key skills of a producer is multi-tasking. A producer should be able to do more than one thing at a time, should incase there is a need to manage time and meet up with deadlines. Also, a producer is laden with the duty of overseeing the duties delegated to each crew member, hence, the need to multitask.
Job Description and Duties
I. Supervises: A producer is more like a supervisor. The producer supervises film production in the pre-production, postproduction and post-production stages.
II. Collaborates With Directors: A producer works hand in hand with the director to stay in line with the budget and work towards the production’s success. He also works with the executive producer.
III. Set Budget: After setting the budget for the film production, the producers manage the allocated budgets approved by the executive assistant.
IV. Supervise Post-Production: After the successful production of the film, the producer is responsible for ensuring smooth post-production.
V. Market the Production: The producer is responsible for the film campaign once the film is completed.
Producer Salary
The average pay for a producer is about $72,223 a year. However, it could be below or above this range.
Differences between a Producer and an Executive Producer
The executive producer and producer are both film producers, however, with different hierarchies and roles. The executive producer is higher than the producer is when it comes to hierarchy. Although they work together, the executive producer does mainly the things that have to do with financing the project, while the producer does duties that deal with supervising. The executive producer is more like the producer’s boss.
- The executive producer hires a producer while a producer seeks finance from an executive producer.
- A producer would always have to be on set while an executive producer may or may not visit the set.
- A producer sets a budget while the executive producer approves the budget.
- The producer answers to the executive producer about the film’s budget.
Summary
A producer and executive producer are both film producers. Although, there are hierarchies to this. The executive producer is higher than the producer is. The executive producer majorly handles the finances, while the producer is responsible for supervising the film project until the work is finished.
