ABSTRACT
Directors, actors, editors, and composers all have well-defined tasks. The producer is another story, and the proliferation of titles which can include multiple executive producers, producers, and associate producers has not helped. Hollywood’s most successful producers have grown used to explaining their jobs to those outside the industry. If the producer has made the decision to get involved with an existing script, there may be a series of revisions even before a director comes on board. If the project is still at the “idea” phase, then one or more writers may be hired. Often, this involves adapting the story from a book, play, or other medium. Raising money for an independent production is more complicated, although many times producers prefer an independent production to a studio production because they retain more control over the project. When the shoot is completed, the film moves toward postproduction. One of the things a producer does during this time is deal with the studio.
