What Does a Producer Do? (And What Does an Executive Producer Do That’s Different?)
So, what does a producer do? In short, a producer makes a project happen. They take an idea and turn it into a finished film, programme or video, looking after the money, the people, the schedule and the creative direction from the first conversation to final delivery. An executive producer sits above that: they usually secure the funding or the commission, protect the bigger picture and have the final say, while the producer runs the project day to day.
Job titles in film, TV and video can be confusing, and “producer” is probably the most confusing of all. This guide explains what producers actually do at each stage, how the executive producer role differs, the other producer credits you’ll see, and what a producer does on a business video like the ones we make.
What does a producer do, in plain English?
ScreenSkills, the UK screen industry’s skills body, describes producers as being “at the financial, practical and creative heart” of a film or TV drama. That’s a good summary. A producer is the person who:
- Finds or develops the idea, sometimes by hiring a writer or buying the rights to a story.
- Works out the budget and scale, then raises or secures the money.
- Builds the team: the director, key crew, and often cast through a casting director.
- Keeps the project on track, approving costs, solving problems and keeping everyone talking.
- Carries responsibility for health and safety on set, alongside the production manager.
- Delivers the finished product and, on films, stays involved through to distribution and marketing.
The director decides how the story looks and feels on screen. The producer makes sure there’s a project for the director to direct, and that it finishes on time and on budget. The best partnerships between the two are collaborative rather than a tug of war between creativity and cost.
What a producer does at each stage of a production
Development
This is where the project is shaped. The producer judges whether an idea has creative potential and whether anyone will pay for it or watch it. On a film or drama that might mean optioning a book or commissioning a script. On a business video it means pinning down the purpose: who the video is for, what it needs to achieve and where it will be shown.
Pre-production
Pre-production is where producers earn their keep. They set the budget, lock the schedule, approve locations, hire crew and make sure contracts, permissions, insurance and risk assessments are in place. On larger productions they hand much of the practical detail to a line producer and production manager. If you want to see why this stage matters so much, our guide to what pre-production is and why it matters goes into more depth.
Production (the shoot)
During filming the producer keeps an eye on time and money, deals with problems as they come up (weather, a late location, a missing piece of kit) and supports the director so they can concentrate on performances and pictures. A good producer is calm under pressure and keeps the mood on set positive.
Post-production
Once the footage is in the can, the producer oversees the edit, colour grade, sound mix, music licensing, graphics and subtitles. They manage feedback rounds, keep the edit moving and make sure the final versions are delivered in the right formats.
Delivery and distribution
For a feature film, the producer stays with the project as it’s sold to distributors and marketed to audiences. For a TV programme, it means delivering to the broadcaster’s technical and editorial standards. For a business, it’s getting the right cut onto the website, social channels, screens at an event or an internal platform.
What does an executive producer do that’s different?
The executive producer (often credited as “EP” or “exec”) is usually the most senior person on a production. Where the producer is hands-on every day, the executive producer works at a higher level.
| Producer | Executive producer | |
|---|---|---|
| Main focus | Running the project day to day | Overseeing the project and protecting the big picture |
| Money | Budgets and approves spending | Often secures the funding or the commission |
| People | Hires and manages the crew | Recruits key people, manages relationships with commissioners, financiers and talent |
| Decisions | Makes most practical and creative calls | Signs off major decisions and has the final say |
| On set | Usually present throughout | Steps in to troubleshoot, advise or help in busy periods |
| Number of projects | Usually one at a time | Often several at once |
In unscripted TV, ScreenSkills notes that executive producers pitch ideas to commissioners, sign off safety paperwork and carry out final editorial and legal checks before a programme goes to air. In drama, the exec often represents the studio or broadcaster, or leads a whole series.
It’s also worth knowing that an executive producer credit isn’t always a sign of hands-on work. Sometimes the title goes to someone who brought in the money, owns the rights, or is an established writer or star whose name helps get the project made. That’s why you’ll see long lists of executive producers on some films and series.
Other producer titles you’ll see in the credits
Producer credits vary between film, TV and smaller productions, and the exact duties change from project to project. As a rough guide:
- Line producer: manages the budget and the practical running of the production “below the line”, meaning crew, equipment, locations and schedules.
- Co-producer: shares producing duties, often representing a partner company or a co-financier.
- Associate producer: a flexible credit for someone who made a significant contribution, from research to helping secure funding.
- Development producer: finds and shapes new ideas and projects before they’re commissioned.
- Producer director (PD): common in factual and documentary TV, where one person both produces and directs, often filming too.
- Production manager and production coordinator: not producer credits, but essential roles that turn the producer’s plans into call sheets, bookings and logistics.
What does a producer do on a business or corporate video?
On a corporate video, brand film or event, the producer is usually your main point of contact. Budgets and crews are smaller than on a TV drama, so one person often covers producer, line producer and production manager duties. Typically, they will:
- Turn your brief into a clear plan, with objectives, a treatment or script, and a realistic budget.
- Book the right crew and equipment for the job, and nothing you don’t need.
- Arrange locations, contributors, release forms, permissions and risk assessments.
- Write the schedule and call sheet so the shoot day runs smoothly.
- Look after you and your team on the day, especially anyone nervous about being on camera.
- Manage the edit and feedback rounds, and deliver the final versions in the formats you need.
The difference a producer makes is often invisible when things go well. You notice it when they’re missing: interviews that overrun, footage that doesn’t match the brief, or a shoot that needs a costly second day.
Need a producer for your next video?
We’re a video production team based in Sudbury and Colchester, working across Suffolk, Essex, Cambridgeshire, Norfolk, Hertfordshire and London. Whether you need us to run a whole project or just add an experienced pair of hands to your own shoot, our producer and production support service covers planning, logistics and on-set management. If you’re new to commissioning video, it’s worth reading what a video production company actually does and our complete guide to corporate video production. For costs, see our pricing page, or get in touch to talk through your project.
Frequently asked questions
Is a producer the same as a director?
No. The director leads the creative side on screen, working with performers and crew to tell the story. The producer makes the project possible and keeps it on time and budget. On small projects one person can do both, which is where the “producer director” title comes from.
Who is more senior, the producer or the executive producer?
The executive producer is usually more senior. They oversee the project, often secure the money or the commission, and have the final say on major decisions, while the producer manages the day-to-day work.
Does an executive producer always do hands-on work?
Not always. Some executive producers are deeply involved, while others are credited for bringing in funding, owning the rights or lending their name to help get a project made.
Do I need a producer for a small business video?
Someone always does the producing, even if it isn’t in their job title. On most business videos, the production company’s producer handles it as part of the project, so you have one person keeping everything organised.
How do you become a producer in the UK?
Most producers work their way up through roles such as runner, production coordinator, researcher or production manager. ScreenSkills has job profiles and training information for anyone exploring the career.