Pre-Production - My Role as the Producer

My Role - The Producer

As mentioned in previous posts, I have taken up the role as the Producer of our group. My previous experience in producing larger scale student projects is limited, however I hope that my role as the Assistant Producer for The Big Movie Quiz in the Studio Production unit last proves to be valuable to the production.

In this post, I will be highlighting the various roles a producer must take up and what will be expected of me over the course of the year.

What is a Producer?

It is often asked by the general public what it is the producers actually do. Some producers may respond with the witty remark that the producers do all the work, while the director gets all the credit. While this isn't 100% true, as the roles are split amongst the rest of the crew, producers are generally in charge of everything and everyone around them. It is the producers who bring in the crew, the casting, the contributors and some (like myself in this case) may even create the story. The producer is the fundamental key to the outcome of the final product as they are involved from the very beginning, often before the story has even been laid out, right until the very end and even beyond.

Pre-Production

During the pre-production stage, I will be in charge of:

• Sourcing the locations
• Finding the right contributors
• Organising the auditions to help source the appropriate casting
• Evaluating the budget for the film
• Develop a shooting schedule
• Etc.

In other words, I am involved in almost every detail involved with the pre-production process.

In order to complete a number of these tasks, I will be contributing with the director (Josh) and the cinematographer (Troy). Alongside Josh, I will be finding the most appropriate cast members for the film for which I have equal say in the final choice (though it will be me who brings them in for the auditions and me who will let them know if they're successful and we're we will go from there). With Troy I will be sourcing locations and working out what will work best for both the story and my vision, as well as his visual interpretation.

Production

It is the shooting stage of the production where the producer often begins to take a back seat and allow the director to take charge of what goes on on the floor. I will not be rendered completely useless, and at times, I may even prove to be especially useful. As the producer it is my duty to ensure that all of the cast, crew and contributors are happy with everything that is going on. I am also able to make creative decisions and share them with the director.

Post-Production

Like with the production phase, my role as the producer will be to liaise with the other crew members in ensuring that everything is running on schedule and that we are ready to meet any deadlines set by myself or the higher powers (the executive producers).

I will be reviewing any rough cuts and fine cuts and will work to ensure that everything is where it needs to be. If something needs reshooting, it will be up to me to find an eligible date in order to film that scene again.