The producer's job ultimately is to facilitate the project and create an environment for creatives to be.. Creatives! It is the producer who puts together a group of people that interact with a synergy. Producing is like putting together a giant company of people with different skills whose job is to make this one particular movie or show.
Team
The production crew is the most vital element of your project. Make sure everyone is on the same page and everyone knows that their role is vital to the success of the film. Remember the director is the leader/vision carrier and the producer is the manager. Always support the director and find middle ground even in the toughest of situations, remember to be a team player.
As the producer you are responsible for all the major logistics required to bring the project to life. You have to negotiate and strike deals with location owners, gear rentals, travel agencies etc.
Feed Your Cast & Crew
Make sure you have already arranged for food and snacks to be made available during breaks. A hungry team can injure the production in ways you wouldn't imagine. Water! Make sure you have more than enough water to keep the cast and crew hydrated. It sounds obvious but can sometimes be easily overlooked.
Stay On Budget & Stay On Schedule.
Communicate with the director on the absolute necessities and make sure those are available without fail. As the producer be the first on set and the last to leave. There's nothing more demoralizing than a producer who seems to have better things to do with their time than be on set. Commit to the production 110%.
Know The Story Inside and Out
For narrative work, read the script(s) before hand and know the story very well. Be ready to defend or at least understand the director's vision, choices and/or changes to any parts of the source material (script).
Do It All with a Smile
Even if the production fails at the end, if people who were with you on that failed production enjoyed working with you, they are likely to recommend you to another production house or accept working with you on another production and that keeps you in business. Beam out positive vibes even when you're having a bad day.
Lastly enjoy every moment of it, being a producer is tough and stressful but look forward to the light moments that come with working on a set with creatives and seeing all your hard work pay off when you finally see the movie you made.
Author: Jonathan Ndashe - Zambian Filmmaker
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JonathaNdashe
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonathandashe
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