Production is the stage of the process in which the producer’s multitasking skills are truly tested. The producer is the glue that holds everything together. S/he has to work a significant number of hours in order to successfully juggle the many responsibilities. On most projects, when production ramps up, portions of the show are still in pre-production. The producer needs to be on top of all the steps from a budgetary, creative, and technical standpoint, in addition to taking care of the entire project’s external needs, such as marketing materials and consumer products.

This chapter discusses the establishment of buyer’s checkpoints; working with ancillary groups; tasks for both television and feature production processes with a focus on CG feature production including complexity analysis, brain trust, and detail on editorial, layout, animation, character finaling/technical animation, final layout, effects, matte painting, lighting, and compositing.