# Director/Producer
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/director-producer/78376
**Category:** Factual Questions
**Created:** [August 27, 2001, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/director-producer/78376 "2001-08-27T19:22:48Z")
**Posts on this page:** 11
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@minouche](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/minouche)
#### Post date: [August 27, 2001, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/director-producer/78376/1 "2001-08-27T19:22:48Z")
What is the difference between a movie director and a producer (i.e., what roles do each perform)?
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### Author:  [@dolphinboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dolphinboy)
#### Post date: [August 27, 2001, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/director-producer/78376/2 "2001-08-27T19:38:05Z")
This has been covered many times before… a Director “directs” the movie meaning he’s the one who sets up the shots, works with the actors and cinematographer etc. to make sure the scene gets captured on film as it should.
A producer “produces” the movie which is to say he/she arranges the financing, hires the director and writers etc. He works mainly behind the scenes but usually decides how the final cut of the movie will look.
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### Author:  [@minouche](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/minouche)
#### Post date: [August 27, 2001, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/director-producer/78376/3 "2001-08-27T20:00:07Z")
How gracious. Thanks so much. Since when searching for “director” or “producer” (to find out of the answer is already on the message board) produces no results, it would be difficult for a newcomer to know that someone has already asked this question a year ago. I so hope it wasn’t an inconvenience to you, Mr./Ms. Dolphin, to have this on your message board. My apologies. No more questions from me anymore, for fear that it may have been “covered many times before.” Good day.
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### Author:  [@dolphinboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dolphinboy)
#### Post date: [August 27, 2001, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/director-producer/78376/4 "2001-08-27T20:16:34Z")
A quick search of the archives found this…
[http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=58768](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=58768)
Why not try searching for an answer first? You might even find what you’re looking for…
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### Author:  [@minouche](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/minouche)
#### Post date: [August 27, 2001, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/director-producer/78376/5 "2001-08-27T20:22:46Z")
If only everyone was so willing to help a perfect stranger, this world would be a much better place! The post you referred me to provided a much more coherent explanation. Thank you so much!!
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### Author:  [@Chez\_Guevara](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chez_Guevara)
#### Post date: [August 27, 2001, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/director-producer/78376/6 "2001-08-27T20:23:19Z")
**minouche** , I guess that **dolphinboy** and other responders in this forum dislike answering questions which have not only been answered previously but the answers to which are available in any self-respecting dictionary.
Stick around and get a feel for etiquette. It’s worth it.
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### Author:  [@KarlGauss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGauss)
#### Post date: [August 27, 2001, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/director-producer/78376/7 "2001-08-27T20:27:23Z")
Assuming **minouche** knew which forum to search (and for a new user that is not self evident) he/she’d still get a lot of hits, none of which would clearly indicate in their title that they were relevant.
Regardless, **dolphinboy** , your tone is condescending and snide. Really, was what **minouche** did so egregious?
I think you are wrong **dolphinboy**.
Welcome to the SDMB **minouche**.
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### Author:  [@dolphinboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dolphinboy)
#### Post date: [August 27, 2001, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/director-producer/78376/8 "2001-08-27T20:48:19Z")
Let’s close this thread. All I said was that this question had been answered many times before. That happens to be the truth… but I gave him/her the answer they wanted anyway… because not everyone can search for the answer. Get over it people…
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### Author:  [@Bill\_H](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bill_H)
#### Post date: [August 27, 2001, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/director-producer/78376/9 "2001-08-27T21:12:44Z")
What **KarlGauss** said.
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### Author:  [@Cartooniverse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cartooniverse)
#### Post date: [August 28, 2001, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/director-producer/78376/10 "2001-08-28T00:51:42Z")
Not only was **dolphinboy** arrogant and needlessly abusive, but guess what? He’s wrong in lots of places too !
Let’s see now.
> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally Posted by \ ***dolphinboy**
> This has been covered many times before… a Director “directs” the movie meaning he’s the one who sets up the shots, works with the actors and cinematographer etc. to make sure the scene gets captured on film as it should.
>
> A producer “produces” the movie which is to say he/she arranges the financing, hires the director and writers etc. He works mainly behind the scenes but usually decides how the final cut of the movie will look.
\*\*
Neither perform their jobs in a vacuum. The Producer will hire the Director. It’s a business and creative marriage. There are many times when the Producer IS the Director. While this might make for a very tired Director, it does insure that monies don’t get wasted ( as much ) on frivilous days of work, or added set-ups that won’t make the final cut.
The Director can’t prep a single shot without the Producer having vetted it first. Well, a single shot maybe, but not a single scene or location. It’s simply not done that way. If I wish to have a dialogue scene between say, Bonnie Bedelia ( my current heartthrob ) and Mel Gibson and they’re to be strolling along the pathways at the Cloisters in New York City, and I’m the Director, I don’t just hie on over there with my actors and Cinematographer. I have to tell the Producer of my wishes and then, if scheduling and budget allow, we attempt to get permits to shoot there. Directors only have total financial control in Film School, where they’re also the Producer, and Mom and Dad are the Executive Producers.
As for the remarks about the Producer. The Producer of a film is not always the one to arrange the financing. Read the credits sometime. The Executive Producer is usually the person who is credited with arranging the financial package and studio backing ( if studio backing is a part of the deal ). The Producer LITERALLY gets the film made. Hires the Director, as you pointed out, in addition to the other Keys of Departments. They hire the people who cater, ship, build, rig, deliver and MAKE the movie happen. I suppose I ought to dig out a Call Sheet for a job, and list the various job titles. Hmmm…lemme see here. Got one.
\*\* Trouble On The Corner\*\* ( Low-budget feature film )
Producer/Director ( !!!- See?? )
Producer
Consulting Producer
Consulting Producer
Line Producer
Unit Production Manager
Unit Manager
Production Coordinator
Assistant Production Coordinator
Production Accountant
Assistant Production Accountant
Storyboard
Technical Advisors
Assistant to the Producer
Production Assistants
First Assistant Director
Second Assistant Director
Second Second Assistant Director ( I kid you not )
Key Production Assistant
Set Production Assistant
Set Production Assistant
Production Superstar ( again, I kid you not )
Director of Photography
Steadicam Operator ( moi )
First Asssistant Camera
Second Assistant Camera
Camera Loader
Camera Trainee
Gaffer
Best Boy Electric
Best Boy Electric/Grip
Third Electric
Electric
Key Grip
Dolly Grip
Best Boy Grip
Third Grip
Grip
Grip
Sound Mixer
Boom Operator
Production Designer
Art Director
Set Decorator
Prop Master
Prop Master
Art Assistant ( 4)
Product Placement ( 2)
Costume Designer
Wardrobe Supervisor
Wardrobe Assistant ( 2)
Hair/Make-Up
Additional Make-Up
Script Supervisor
Locations Manager
Assistant Locations Manager
Locations Assistant
Locations Production Assistant
Security Coordinator
Security (2)
Location Scout (2)
Casting Director
Casting Associate
Casting Assistant
Editor
Associate Editor
Editing Room Assistant (2)
Composer
Craft Service ( Set Food Providers, aside from catered meals)
Animal Handler- Rat Wrangler ( I kid you not a third time…)
Production Assistant ( 6)
That was a movie of under 3 million budget. Imagine a 200 million dollar picture, with 2 or 3 units shooting at once.
Oh, one final remark? The term **Final Cut** is actually a legal and contractual point of negotiation, in addition to being a creative milestone in the making of a film. When a person is given Final Cut in their contract, they **SUPPOSEDLY** have final say over the images in the film. Many fine lawsuits have been launched over that clause. However, to address what the offending poster said no, the Producer does NOT automatically have Final Cut in a picture. Most Directors these days wish to fight hard for that clause, and if they are seasoned/powerful enough, they get it. Sometimes, they even get to enjoy it. Blockbuster Video stores are FILLED with movies, and now especially DVD’s that say **“Director’s Cut or Director’s Version”**. If they’re willing to pay the fees to re-cut, then sometimes they are allowed to do their own cut. Again, it’s usually negotiated long before the crew eats its first breakfast burrito ( or, in the case of a NYC crew, it’s first bowl of oatmeal ).
Have a nice evening.
Cartooniverse
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### Author:  [@minouche](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/minouche)
#### Post date: [August 28, 2001, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/director-producer/78376/11 "2001-08-28T14:04:18Z")
Thanks to all who answered my question, came to my defense, or both!