As the title indicates, a movie producer helps in the producing or making of a film, making sure the cast and crew have everything they need to succeed.¹

Other key positions such as director, cinematographer, and editor involve leading their respective departments in the creative process of making a film. A cinematographer helps to decide how the movie will be shot and look. An editor determines what shots and scenes are used to tell the story of the film. And of course, the director leads in all of these decisions.

The role of the Movie Producer is an essential one in filmmaking. Why? This video offers a look at what this role entails.

But filmmaking is not only a creative pursuit. It demands a host of financial, logistical, and administrative decisions to ensure that the screenwriter’s idea can be made into movie that people watch and enjoy.

It’s the movie producer who takes the reins in making sure the film gets made, period.

The title of Movie Producer is an umbrella term that encompasses the many, many responsibilities that the person in this role has.²

Watch this video for a comprehensive overview of a movie producer’s responsibilities.

We’ll get into the main types of movie producers in a moment and the specific roles they each tend to have. But in general, the movie producer to varying degrees can take on a multitude of duties through each stage of production.

• Sourcing movie ideas by reviewing original pitches, reading scripts, searching for IP ripe for adaptation, and collaborating with literary agents
• Developing screenplays by offering notes on drafts, sharing scripts with industry professionals, and attaching talent such as a major actor or director
• Securing financial backing via studio financing, film investors, private equity, grants, and/or pre-sales
• Hiring above-the-line crew such as the screenwriter and director
• Delegating tasks so that all production logistics, including locations, schedules, costumes, props, and contracts, are accounted for

• Overseeing the budget of a movie during of the filmmaking process
• Mediating any personnel conflict or issues during production
• Ensuring the director has everything they need to execute their vision
• Providing input on key elements of a movie depending on their role
• Organizing and approving production schedules, including additional shooting days if needed
• Making sure the production company, executives, or other investors are kept in the loop with dailies and/or project updates

• Partner with post-production vendors to bring the project to the finish line
• Give notes on edits
• Review reshoot requests for approval based on creative need and budget
• Identify and vet potential distribution partners, including festival, theatrical, streaming, international, and home entertainment outlets
• Negotiate distribution deals, including revenue splits, licensing windows, and territories
• Oversee the completion of all distribution deliverables, including the final master, closed captions, EPKs, and marketing materials
• Collaborate with the distributor’s marketing and PR teams to shape the film’s release strategy, including trailers, premieres, and press tours
• Monitor performance metrics and reports after release, such as box office and streaming numbers, and make strategic adjustments when needed

Some seasoned movie producers may handle all of the above responsibilities; others may be put in charge of just one or two duties. Let’s take a look at the different types of movie producers and what they typically oversee.

Even on the most economical of film shoots, several movie producers are often needed to ensure that every part of the filmmaking process is being properly overseen and managed.

That means onboarding multiple professionals, each with a designated title and set of responsibilities.³ Some of these movie producers include:

An associate producer is typically assigned to oversee a specific part of production. For instance, pending the scope of the project, they may be tasked with working with any VFX needs. Or they might be responsible for the casting of all background actors.

Whatever their specific duties, they are generally hired by and report to the head movie producer.

During a typical day, and associate producer might…

• Start their day by receiving assignments and objectives from a senior producer
• Prioritize tasks based on urgency, production timelines, and shifting needs
• Coordinate across departments (including post, cast, camera, and wardrobe) to gather assets, schedules, permissions, or information needed to move tasks forward
• Troubleshoot issues and adjusts plans when challenges arise
• Communicate progress regularly, ensuring senior producers are updated on task completion
• May assist with giving notes on scripts, tracking releases, logging footage, or prepping assets for post depending on the department

A company producer tends to be part of a post-production house that is overseeing part or all of a film’s post-production needs.

The company producer might coordinate the editing of a film, the sound design for it, or any other number of needs that become priority during this phase of the filmmaking process. A person in this position may communicate directly with the head movie producer on a production or report back to their superior within the post-production house.

A day in the life of a company producer: 

• Check in with department leads (editors, sound designers, VFX artists, etc.) to assess progress and manage workflows
• Coordinate post-production schedules, ensuring all departments are aligned with delivery timelines and client expectations
• Communicate with the head producer or production team
• Host and/or attend daily or weekly production meetings
• Troubleshoot time-sensitive issues to keep the post pipeline flowing
• Manage vendor relationships, including booking freelancers or outsourcing tasks when needed
• Oversee budget for post-production expenses
• Ensure deliverables are QC’d (quality controlled) and meet technical specs
• Finalize completed projects, confirming all contracts, payments, and credits are accounted for

The role of a co-producer on a film is somewhat similar to that of an associate producer, though the former tends to have more responsibility on a production.

A co-producer will likely be in charge of a specific part of pre-production, production, or post-production. While they may still report to the lead movie producer on a project, co-producers with enough experience often transition into positions of being more senior movie producers on future productions.

A day in the life of a co-producer: 

• Collaborate with the lead producer to review the day’s priorities 
• Oversee a specific production phase, such as casting,  second unit shooting, or post-production
• Coordinate with department heads to ensure their needs are met 
• Monitor the production schedule and budget for their assigned area
• Participate in creative reviews, giving notes on rough cuts, script revisions, and/or VFX passes
• Act as a liaison between the lead movie producers and crew
• Support problem-solving on set
• Mentor junior team members or associate producers

The title movie producer is a catchall for many different positions on a film. This video explains what they are.

Of all the different types of movie producers, many people have most often heard the title of executive producer or EP.

Though they may be involved with other aspects of the filmmaking process, the executive producer is primarily responsible for getting the financing that a film requires. And this is often no easy feat!

An executive producer might be the person who is providing the funding for a film, or they may be the person reaching out to others for that funding. Funding often comes from several different sources, which means that the executive producer must coordinate and secure deals with each person or entity that financially supports a film.

Though EPs approach each project differently, here is a sample day in the life of an executive producer:

• Evaluate potential projects by reviewing scripts, pitch decks, proof-of-concept shorts, and sizzle reels
• Personally finance part of a production in exchange for a percentage of the film’s profits 
• Meet with investors, studios, or financiers to secure funding or manage existing financial partnerships
• Participate in high-level creative discussions as needed
• Review budgets and finances with line producers (more on them next) to ensure the project is staying on track financially
• Negotiate deals and contracts with outside vendors
• Check in with producers and department heads to track project’s success

The role of a line producer is a bit different from the other movie producer positions we’ve already listed. Their primary focus is the film’s schedule and budget, making  sure the project they’re working on comes in on time without going over the budgetary numbers set for each department.

Pending the size of the production, they likely will also be in charge of hiring the below-the-line crew, including editors, cinematographers, camera operators, grips, and production assistants.

In their role, they might…

• Track expenses in real time, monitoring department spend against the budget and flagging issues
• Participate in daily production meetings
• Review the daily call sheet and production schedule, ensuring all departments are on track 
• Meet with department heads to approve expenses such as crew hires, rentals, and contracts
• Oversee hiring of below-the-line crew, working with the legal team to approve contracts, rates, and union compliance
• Act as the communication bridge between creative leadership and the physical production team
• Ensure compliance with permits, insurance, and union rules
• Approve timecards, purchase orders, and other relevant paperwork

Other types of movie producers, including consulting producers, creative producers, supervising producers, marketing producers, development producers, and VFX producers, may also be part of a film. The titles given to anyone in a producing role depends on the size of the production, the involvement of each person, and the ever-present delicate politics of the project.

In the most general sense, a movie producer is responsible for the administrative, logistical, and financial considerations of a film. Alternatively, a director is responsible for the creative considerations of a film.

While both are meant to take ownership of their individual responsibilities, there are many decisions that involve both the creative and business aspects of filmmaking. In those instances, who is the boss? Is the producer higher in rank than the director? Well, the simple answer is – it depends.

Producers and directors equally want their film to succeed. When a disagreement arises, they’ll likely come together to weigh both the creative and financial pros and cons of their decision. If a producer has personally invested a lot of money into the project, they’ll have more leverage. That being said, a handful of directors – individuals such as Spielberg, Scorsese, and Nolan – hold such sway on their movies that often they have the final say on many aspects of their productions regardless of where the movie producer might stand.

As mentioned earlier in this post, a movie producer is a person who helps in the producing or making of a film. With that in mind, all it takes to become a movie producer is to start on a project where you’re doing just that.⁴

However, producing a film – especially one that earns a theatrical release – is easier said than done. It takes a lot of knowhow, connections, and experience.

What are the steps to becoming a movie producer? This video explains.

To build a career as a movie producer, consider the following steps…

As with nearly every other filmmaking specialty that we discuss, no, you don’t have to go to film school to be a successful movie producer. In fact, a producer can come from any background and find their way into film production.

Producer Robert Rippberger (The Inventor, Our Son, Those Who Walk Away) encourages aspiring producers to consider the cost-to-value ratio of formal education. “One should ask themselves if they can learn more by taking their tuition and putting it into films of their own,” he explains. “At the end of the day, it’s a sink-or-swim scenario so sometimes it’s best to just jump in.”

That being said, film school can provide multiple advantages:

1. Going to school for film can help you learn the craft, which is essential for a movie producer.
2. A film education offers you the opportunity to produce student films and local short films to gain experience and confidence in your producing skills.
3. Film programs give you the chance to forge relationships with other students and get a head start on that important network of peers and colleagues that will help you find success in the future.

And on that note…

Regardless of whether or not you go to film school, networking is the backbone of a producer’s career. While it can help you land your first job, its importance only grows as your career progresses.

Since producing is fundamentally about building and leading teams, strong relationships remain essential at every stage. From pitching projects and attaching cast and crew, to meeting with distributors and securing financing, producers rely heavily on their network. 

Start networking today by considering the following: 

• Connect with people at your level, not A-listers. These are your future peers who can offer mutual support throughout your career.
• Attend film-based events, whether they are networking-specific events, film festivals, premieres, or artist charity drives.
• Enroll in shorter educational programs, including short courses, workshops, or mentorship programs. 
• Join some online creative production groups. This could include online writing groups, indie filmmaker groups, Reddit pages, or Discord servers.
• Start creating! You’ll be surprised by how many connections naturally form once you begin assembling a team — even for the smallest projects.

There are no shortage of movie producers looking for support, but keep in mind that such a position may translate into pro bono work where your “pay” is the opportunity to observe and learn on the job. In such cases, be clear about expectations and the kind of commitment you can make to the project. Never sacrifice your financial stability or wellbeing in the hope of one day getting a paid gig.

That being said, whether you want to be a producer on-set or in the editing suite, it’s never too early to start gaining experience. Most people get their start as a production assistant or an intern, and do all they can to learn and grow in their role until they’re trusted to move to the next level.

A sample on-set career ladder could look like: 

1. Production intern
2. Production assistant
3. Assistant producer
4. Associate producer
5. Co-producer or Line producer
6. Movie producer

If you hope to stay on the studio-side as, say, a development producer, a sample career ladder might look more like: 

1. Development intern
2. Development assistant
3. Development coordinator
4. Development manager
5. Development producer

In order to officially become a producer, all you really have to do is produce content. With new technologies, it’s easier and cheaper than ever to make short films or digital mini series on social platforms – all it takes is a good story.

Even if you start small, a successful short film can lead you to producing a successful mini series, which might lead to an indie film, to a studio-backed production.

Looking for advice as you venture into producing your first project? This video has it.

Independent Spirit John Cassavetes Award-winner Mary Jane Skalski, known for award-winning films like The Station Agent, perfectly captures the wide variety of paths available to aspiring movie producers:

To be a successful movie producer, you don’t necessarily need to master each of the skillsets below, but you must have working knowledge and competency in each.

Movie producers are typically the individuals to which everyone else looks for a film’s financing. This video breaks down how to make that financing happen.

This list isn’t exhaustive, but some of the qualities that a movie producer should have include:

• Vigorous knowledge of the filmmaking process
• Ability to recognize strong creative material and up-and-coming talent
• Strong business acumen
• Mastery of industry-standard budgeting and scheduling software like Movie Magic  
• Creative problem solving when the budget is tight
• Excellent people management
• Willingness to prioritize the project’s success, even if it angers some people
• Extensive communication abilities, especially when it comes to pitching 
• Advanced knowledge of dealmaking
• Robust multi-tasking capabilities
• Inexhaustible ability to brush off rejection

All of the above qualities are important, but perhaps most imperative is the last point. To be sure, if you choose to go into the filmmaking business – specifically as a movie producer – you will encounter rejection.

Rejection of project ideas. Rejection of funding. Rejection of every choice you make – especially when you’re still a novice Movie Producer. That comes with the territory of working in the entertainment industry, and it’s easy to become discouraged by it. Don’t be. Just keep going.

As explained by Producer Lynn Hendee, the woman behind hit films like Ender’s Game and The Tempest, “Tenacity may be the most important quality in a producer. It can take a long time to get your project on the screen. It is not a profession of instant gratification.”

On a studio-backed film, an average movie producer makes around $750,000.⁵

This includes: 

• The producer’s fee: a salary payment based on the film’s budget
• Backend points: a percentage of a film’s profits, negotiated as part of the producer’s contract
• Bonuses: A producer might receive additional performance-based payments or benefits as part of their contract

Though this number sounds appealing, most films are produced independently, and lack studio-backing. As a result, a producer’s salary is based on the budget of the project and the responsibilities of the producer. Even members of the Producer’s Guild of America (PGA) aren’t guaranteed a minimum salary, highlighting the wide range of possible salaries based on the film’s budget.

For a micro-budget indie film, a producer might offer to work for free in hopes that they’ll recoup their time (or, in some cases, financial investment) if the film makes a profit.

“I started producing for free and liked doing side hustle jobs like working in the restaurant business,” explains indie producer Lindsay Lanzillota (The Invitation, Shayda). “I just started producing whatever I could produce until I could get paid for it or find the opportunity to make myself get paid for it – meaning raise the money myself.”

With roughly 80% of films losing money according to Forbes,⁶ an indie producer’s salary isn’t just unpredictable — it’s often a leap of faith driven by a passion for the story and a long-term career vision.

Some filmmaking professionals consider themselves strictly movie producers. Others may go by a hyphenate such as writer-director-producer, or, in the case of Academy Award winner Emma Stone, an actor-producer.

The following list includes individuals across the spectrum of various titles.⁷ But the one thing they have in common is that they all have found great success specifically as movie producers in the industry:

• J. Abrams
• Avi Arad
• Jason Blum
• Jerry Bruckheimer
• James Cameron
• Lorenzo di Bonaventura
• Lauren Shuler Donner
• Kevin Feige
• Brian Grazer
• David Heyman
• Kathleen Kennedy
• Peter Jackson
• Frank Marshall
• Amy Pascal

Award-winning Producer Jay Silverman explains the difference between the common misconceptions and reality of being a movie producer.

The films of the above movie producers have made many millions – and in some cases, billions! – of dollars. To be a successful movie producer, you do not necessarily have to make the same blockbusters. However, studying the careers of these individuals can help in guiding your own professional path.

A movie producer is many positions rolled into one. When you’re a movie producer, you’re a business expert. A filmmaking expert. A collaboration and management expert. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the skillsets you must have for this profession.

But as with any filmmaking specialty, it all begins with making the choice to do it and taking action toward that career goal. It means going out and finding a great short script to make. Or getting an internship on a film set to shadow another movie producer. Or any of a dozen different paths you can take right now. Which one will you pursue today?