The producer initiates and supervises all the processes
involved in making a film. Core responsibilities include
selecting or commissioning the script, securing finance,
hiring the director and other departmental heads, monitoring the expenditure and progress of the production to
try to ensure that the film is completed on time and
within budget, and negotiating the sale of the film to
distribution companies. Films often have more than one
producer, and the producers are sometimes given specific
job titles according to the division of duties between
them. An executive producer, in contrast to a producer,
does not have a hands-on involvement in the production
process. He or she focuses on business rather than creative issues, and often supervises other producers. An
associate producer performs tasks delegated by a producer
or executive producer. Coproducers work as a team so
that between them they are involved in all the different
producer functions, including both creative and managerial roles. A line producer is a manager who is intimately
involved in the day-to-day production processes.
Various supervisory staff oversee the different stages
of filmmaking to ensure that they are completed on time
and budget. The production manager works in a similar
way to the line producer to ensure the smooth running of
the production process, supervising both staff and expenditure. The production accountant handles the finances
for the film, dealing with invoices and financial reporting
requirements. The postproduction supervisor is responsible for overseeing the tasks that need to be completed
after the shoot has ended. A dedicated postproduction
accountant may also be employed.
The publicity department is in charge of promoting
the film. Although the most intensive marketing activity
occurs in the immediate run-up to the film’s release,
gaining exposure for the film is an ongoing process that
begins before production even starts. The publicity director designs and oversees the publicity campaign and is
based at the studio or head office. If the production
company is also distributing the film, they will take
responsibility for commissioning and approving materials
such as posters and trailers. The unit publicist is often
present on the set and is responsible for arranging media
interviews, collecting information for press notes, and
selecting photographs to be issued to the press. The stills
photographer is present on the set to take publicity
pictures and may also take still pictures for use in the
film, or photographs that act as records to assist
continuity.