# What Does a Producer Do? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [April 13, 2005, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-a-producer-do/299074 "2005-04-13T03:27:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Imasquare](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Imasquare](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Imasquare)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2005, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-a-producer-do/299074/1 "2005-04-13T03:27:11Z")
I’ve always wondered what the role of a producer on a movie (and TV show) is? What is it that they actually do? Also when I watch old movies (from 1940s) there is only ever a single producer listed in the credits. But in modern movies there are many producers listed with slightly different titles (eg Executive Producer, Associate Producer, and various others). Why so many now compared with the past? ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2005, 3:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-a-producer-do/299074/2 "2005-04-13T03:53:14Z")
They organise the finances, they make sure it all runs smoothly, that the crew is fully assembled, informed, and structurally in place, and basically make sure that the movie gets made at all. There are lots of assistants to other departments that also do many of those jobs in their own ways, but the Producer is the big cheese that handles the wider scope of it. Exceutive Producers, on the other hand, don’t do anything of consequence. ---
**Author:** ![fishbicycle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/aeb1de/32.png) [@fishbicycle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fishbicycle)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2005, 4:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-a-producer-do/299074/3 "2005-04-13T04:01:52Z")
> [@GuanoLad](#): > > Exceutive Producers, on the other hand, don’t do anything of consequence. Agreed. The GM where I work is credited as the Executive Producer of everything that goes out of the station. It is safe to say that she had nothing whatsoever to do with the project, provided no input or criticism, has never heard it, knows only vaguely that it existed, and could not herself accomplish the simplest task with any of the equipment used to make the program. ---
**Author:** ![Imasquare](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Imasquare](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Imasquare)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2005, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-a-producer-do/299074/4 "2005-04-13T04:10:35Z")
> [@GuanoLad](#): > > Exceutive Producers, on the other hand, don’t do anything of consequence. So it sounds like producers are project managers. Why are Executive Producers given a credit if the do nothing? Is it a case of someone who has contributed financially wanting to be on the credits? Some movies seem to have a lot of Executive Producers. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2005, 4:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-a-producer-do/299074/5 "2005-04-13T04:15:38Z")
Exec Producers often contribute advice or ideas, or finances, or even crew members from their own studio. When Spielberg was credited as an Executive Producer on movies like Gremlins or Goonies, he was mostly an ideas man, he provided some studio clout, but most importantly he’s a name that people want to see associated with their movie as it will draw in an audience. Mostly they just hang around and pretend they’re important. ---
**Author:** ![duffer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duffer/32/1026_2.png) [@duffer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/duffer)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2005, 4:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-a-producer-do/299074/6 "2005-04-13T04:17:39Z")
Seems like “Executive Producer” is more an honorary title than a credit. Likely given because they put up a big wad of cash. Instead of starting a whole new thread, can I squeeze in a related question? What does it mean when it says it’s a “John Doe Film.” As in, “A John Doe film, produced by Joe Dokes, directed by Mary Manyblow. In association with Paramount.” ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2005, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-a-producer-do/299074/7 "2005-04-13T04:18:41Z")
o/`I want to be a producer and have a hit show on Broadway. I want to be a producer ane eat at Sardi's every day. I want to be a producer and wear a top hat and a cane. I want to be a producer and drive those chorus girls insane! o/` ---
**Author:** ![commasense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/commasense/32/3017_2.png) [@commasense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/commasense)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2005, 5:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-a-producer-do/299074/8 "2005-04-13T05:08:06Z")
Executive Producer isn’t always an empty title. Many EPs are the main creative force behind a film, and/or put up most of the money. But if you see three or more people credited as EP, you can probably safely assume that one or more of them did someone a big favor (like handing over a large check). > [@duffer](#): > > What does it mean when it says it’s a “John Doe Film.” > > As in, “A John Doe film, produced by Joe Dokes, directed by Mary Manyblow. In association with Paramount.” I think you’re misremembering. I believe that generally when it says it’s “A John Doe film” it means that John Doe directed it. Is **Exapno** around? No? Okay, I’ll cite a bit of trivia from memory and hope he doesn’t come along to refute me with his voluminous and annoyingly accurate knowledge. I believe (until shown otherwise) that Frank Capra was the first to put his name above the film’s title, with the formulation “A Frank Capra film.” ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2005, 9:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-a-producer-do/299074/9 "2005-04-13T09:16:33Z")
[Here’s](http://www.moviegeek.homestead.com/files/featprod1.htm) our own **Cervaise** ’s take on the subject. ---
**Author:** ![pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a9a28c/32.png) [@pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pseudotriton_ruber_ruber)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2005, 10:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-a-producer-do/299074/10 "2005-04-13T10:09:33Z")
Screenwriters with some clout also get to be listed as "EP"s as well. on my documentary, the guy who found me a director and some affordable equipment and let me use his office as an editing room, was my EP. Beat the hell out of actually paying him. ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2005, 11:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-a-producer-do/299074/11 "2005-04-13T11:18:12Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > [Here’s](http://www.moviegeek.homestead.com/files/featprod1.htm) our own **Cervaise** ’s take on the subject. I’m glad I took the time to read Cervaise’s essay. It was very well written and informative. I must say, however, that I’m mystified by the suggestions both there and here that writing a check is a trivial thing that constitutes contributing practically nothing. Without either money or slaves, making the film would be impossible. ---
**Author:** ![Menocchio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de053/32.png) [@Menocchio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Menocchio)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2005, 11:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-a-producer-do/299074/12 "2005-04-13T11:47:03Z")
> [@Liberal](#): > > I’m glad I took the time to read Cervaise’s essay. It was very well written and informative. I must say, however, that I’m mystified by the suggestions both there and here that writing a check is a trivial thing that constitutes contributing practically nothing. Without either money or slaves, making the film would be impossible. Well, look at it this way: Who deserves credit for the Sistine Chapel: Michealangelo, or Pope Julius II? One is an artist, who deserves credit, and the other a patron, who gets a work of art and, in many cases, a monetary return of his investment. ---
**Author:** ![duffer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duffer/32/1026_2.png) [@duffer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/duffer)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2005, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-a-producer-do/299074/13 "2005-04-13T15:58:58Z")
How much did Pope Julius II make on the mural? ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2005, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-a-producer-do/299074/14 "2005-04-13T16:23:14Z")
> [@Menocchio](#): > > Well, look at it this way: > > Who deserves credit for the Sistine Chapel: Michealangelo, or Pope Julius II? > > One is an artist, who deserves credit, and the other a patron, who gets a work of art and, in many cases, a monetary return of his investment. The way I see it, they both deserve credit. Without Michealangelo and his talent, there would be no Sistine Chapel. But the same is true for Julius II and his resources. Both gave what they were capable of giving. Money is not nothing, and the decision to part with it for the sake of art is itself a contribution to art. ---
**Author:** ![Zebra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/c0e974/32.png) [@Zebra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zebra)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2005, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-a-producer-do/299074/15 "2005-04-13T16:24:02Z")
How many people have donated money inside the Chapel? Does the CC get a cut of the poster sales? ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Scrappy\_Hero\_Pup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ea5d25/32.png) [@Happy\_Scrappy\_Hero\_Pup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Scrappy_Hero_Pup)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2005, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-a-producer-do/299074/16 "2005-04-13T16:33:04Z")
“Scenes From the Bible” A Pope Julius Production A Michaelangelo Mural Starring God Co-Starring Adam, Eve With Noah ---
**Author:** ![h.sapiens](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e0b2c6/32.png) [@h.sapiens](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/h.sapiens)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2005, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-a-producer-do/299074/17 "2005-04-13T17:00:10Z")
If you watch “Project Greenlight” you get some idea of what a producer does, as well as executive producers. Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Chris Moore and Wes Craven are listed as executive producers, and had a hand in selecting the director and writers from the contest entries. After that, they occasionally get to offer advice or opinions, but don’t have much to do with the actual movie-making process. Moore, who has previous experience producing films, including the “American Pie” movies, is a little more hands-on, but from a distance, as opposed to the guys who spend time in the film’s production office and deal with casting, budget, etc. on a daily basis. Executive Producer is often a kind of honorary title. Producer is a real job. ---
**Author:** ![mobo85](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b19c9b/32.png) [@mobo85](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mobo85)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2005, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-a-producer-do/299074/18 "2005-04-13T17:12:59Z")
Is “Executive in Charge of Production” just another fancy way of saying “Executive Producer?” ---
**Author:** ![aaslatten](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f14d63/32.png) [@aaslatten](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aaslatten)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2005, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-a-producer-do/299074/19 "2005-04-13T21:25:54Z")
On smaller, independent films, the “executive producer” title is often given to those who put up the finances. It’s a kind of incentive for people who want to “be in the movies” in some way.