Everyone knows what actors do. Everyone knows what directors do. Hell, even camera-operators have a defined purpose. And I also know what the production company (Universal, Dimension).
But what the heck does a producer do? Specifically, what does the producer do that isn't done by someone else? You always see their name in big print, as if they do something really big, but it's not like they direct the film or anything. So what do they do?
Feion
they gather the money for the production of the movie, if I understand it correctly. They finance the movie, and oftentimes put a great deal of their own money on the line for the movie.
A producer is someone who controls the finances, publci presentation, and oversees the creation of the film. Think of them as the manufacturer.
I still don't get it. I mean, the Production Company finanaces the movie. They provide the money to shoot it and edit and promote and all that.
And what do you mean "oversees the production"? Doesn't the director do that? Does the producer just provide a second opinion?
Feion
Bump. I really want an answer to my question.
http://www.dvhandbook.com/index.php?p=29
People ask me this question all the time.
conan o'brien said that when he was a producer for "the simpsons" (a producer for some episodes, a writer for others), it basically meant he was a co-writer with the person who wrote the actual script.