What does a movie or play producer do?

Answer 1

The producer is the entrepeneur behind the whole operation, often they hardly lift a finger. They read a script they like, convince their rich friends/banks to lend them money, then hire all the staff necessary to make a film. Sometimes therefore, the producer could be the person who actually wrote a script, raised the money and then directed it themselves, but overall, producer is not a clearly defined role. Sometimes, a person may say "OK, I'll lend you $25m for the film, but you have to put my name on the credits as producer", and thats it, they're a producer! Most producers of course, put much more effort in and are wholly involved with everything, such as casting the main actors etc.

Answer 2

I have answered this question before, so I'll give you the links to those posts.

In addition, I'd like to comment on the money thing that everyone has been talking about. The EXECUTIVE Producer for a motion picture is the one who has fronted money, who has a big name (that will sell the film), or has donated some other goods etc. that enable the creation of the film. This is different for television as the Executive producer is usually the "showrunner" or creator of the show, hence a writer.

A better question is what doesn't a producer do.....

Here is a link...

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AuPI6Oq_tXII4QXRBjSfUJjsy6IX?qid=20070212175228AAmplwx&show=7#profile-info-1a54ed75593127d7a363588a9f1d262baa

Answer 3

The producers are often the folks with the money behind the project. They pick the director and may have additional people they pick. The also line up all the back up help needed to get the project moving from start to finish. The director might help with some of this but is more involved in the creative process.

Answer 4

produce the movie

Answer 5

they find the money to make the movie or play. that is putting it the simple way.

Answer 6

Simply, they are the ones who a funding the project. Therefore they have ALOT of say.