What does a Producer do?
A producer is at the heart of every film or TV show and they hold a lot of responsibility throughout the process. They are often involved when an idea is young and they’ll develop it through to the final product – a completed film or show ready for the screen.
They will have a good eye for a story and the ability to turn that into a successful show or film. They’ll champion scripts to secure funding from investors, studios, distributors or broadcasters. Once a show or film has been developed and its ready for production, the producer will oversee that process. They are the ones who set the budget, hire the staff and ensure the smooth completion of the production – overcoming potential problems.
On medium to large scale productions, they’ll often delegate some of their responsibilities to a Line Producer.
What skills does a Producer need?
Communication: They can interact with hundreds of people during a production, so delivering key, concise instructions is key
Understand the Production Process: They’ll know what it takes for everyone to excel in their role on the production and how to deliver a successful film or TV project
Leadership: As an authority figure, they’ll be able to advise different teams throughout the process and offer guidance, drawing on their experience.
Commercial Awareness: They know what makes a good film or TV show, plus knowing what type of content distributors, broadcasters and streaming services are looking for at any one time
Organisation: They run the entire production process, so they have to be in control of all aspects. They’ll put together schedules, budgets and plans for the production ahead of time.
Who does a Producer work with?
Since a producer is involved in all stages of the process, they’ll often work with the development, production, distribution and marketing teams – often all at once.
A Producer reports to the project’s Executive Producer, who has ultimate responsibility for the project, though they often balance it with other active projects. During filming, the producer will work closely with a Line Producer which they’ve hired to assist in some of the responsibilities.
How to become a Producer
You can become a producer through a variety of routes, the most common being the Production Coordinator/Manager route, where you’ll gain plenty of experience ensuring production runs smoothly from start to finish. Sometimes, people can move across from the development side of the business, they’ll likely work on the development of a project and even go on to produce it too.
How much does a Producer earn?
BECTU, the media industry trade union, publishes up to date recommendations of pay rates. For Producers, daily rates can vary between £750 to £1,750, though many producers are able to command a far higher rate as their industry reputation is far greater than most. Naturally, differently levels of Producer exist, so we’ve put together the day rates for a variety of producer roles:
| Role | Day Rate (Excluding Holiday) | Day Rate (Including Holiday) |
|---|---|---|
| Assistant Producer | £750 – £950 | £841 – £1,065 |
| Producer | £1000 – £1700 | £1121 – £1906 |
| Story Producer | £900 – £1250 | £1009 – £1401 |
| Edit Producer | £1200 – £1600 | £1345 – £1794 |
| Producer / Director | £1300 – £1750 | £1457 – £1962 |
| Series Producer | £1500+ | £1794+ |
| Archive Producer | £1100 – £1300 | £1233 – £1457 |
| Casting Producer | £1400 – £1500 | £1569 – £1682 |
| Development Producer | £1000 – £1300 | £1121 – £1457 |