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EntertainmentIndustry.name
The number of producer credits that roll on a film can be staggering. So much so that the Academy of motion pictures started a “truth in credits” campaign, mandating that a maximum of three legitimate producers are allowed on the stage to accept the Oscar for Best Picture.
This issue came to a head in 1999, when five producers, including Miramax studio chief, Harvey Weinstein, took the stage to accept the best-picture Oscar for Shakespeare in Love.
But what do all the various producer credits mean?
Well, to start with, they mean different things for features than for television (not to mention other countries have their own set of job definitions for the various titles). There are no hard-and-fast rules, but here’s a thumbnail sketch for American terms:
1. Producer
2. Executive Producer
3. Co-Producer
4. Associate Producer
Although “Executive Producer” might lead one to believe that is the highest-ranking producer on a film set or in board meetings, the Top Dog on a film is actually simply the “Producer.” (This is flip flopped in TV, see below).
The Producer is the person ultimately responsible for the film — and is the one (or three) who will be allowed up on stage to collect the Oscar if the movie wins an Academy Award.
The Executive Producer is next in line. This person generally helps with the development, financing or production of the movie (generally not all three).
Below the Executive Producer, the credits get murkier. Occasionally, you’ll see Co-Executive Producer, but the third-highest ranking is generally called Co-Producer. Then comes Associate Producer. These two “junior producer” credits often go to someone who performs a key function (perhaps getting an A-List star attached or bringing a big chunk of money — but not enough to fund the entire production), but this person doesn’t have the power or clout of the actual producer or executive producer.
In opening film credits, “Produced by” is typically the third-to-last credit on a movie:
Produced by
Written by
Directed by
Line Producer
Unit Production Manager
Production Supervisor
Production Coordinator
A Line Producer is really a job, a hired gun versus an in-the-company title. This person is directly responsible for many of the day-to-day burdens of production (such as budgets, scheduling, dealing with the bureaucracy of unions, etc.). Many line producer functions overlap with a Unit Production Manager. Depending on the film, you might also see a Production Supervisor or Production Coordinator listed.
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