We can see a list of the people who participated in a film once it ends, and in that list, there are different roles such as the producer and the executive producer, but what is the difference between them?
The producer is the one who works in the making of the film. Their main task is to manage the budget and organize every aspect of the shooting so that it is carried out in a coordinated manner. They also help with other details of the creative process: they seek financing, think about how to communicate the film, who the main characters will be, among other tasks. The producer conceptualizes the project from the idea to its eventual distribution.
On the other hand, the executive producer is responsible for starting the production process of the film while ensuring there is sufficient investment to carry it forward. This role often involves seeking financing, distribution and marketing for the film. The executive producer may advise in other areas, although the overall execution of the production will always be the responsibility of the general producer.
A fairly common detail in the film industry is that sometimes an actor or actress serves as an executive producer. Why is that?
If a celebrity is listed as the executive producer of a film, it means that he or she is financing part of the project, although the contract may contain other specifics about the tasks they will perform. Their names are included in the credits in exchange for an investment, and probably, they will follow up on the film to make sure it is not controversial or damaging to their reputation.
All in all, we can say that executive producers invest and finance the film project, usually have the distribution rights to the film depending on the agreements previously made, and they are sometimes involved in other aspects but they are not as fully present as the general producer usually is. Thus, in the entertainment industry, both roles are essential in order to tell a story on the big screen.
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