Pedro Correa’s Post

Spoiler alert: NNNOPPPEEE!

hmmm. there are Producers out there, like myself, who actually come up with ideas, write scripts, find people to get involved and work to build projects from the ground up. I think that credit has value. Even though who have gotten themselves into a position where they essentially get a credit for "free" probably spent a good period of time killing themselves before attaining that ability. From your perspective Pedro Correa maybe it seems like all producer credits are cheap throwaways but believe me - when I get something done - I want my dang credit! :::: I am writing this edit after actually reading the article. The above is entirely responding to the person who posted.>> it has definitely gotten out of control, but I think most big actors and other big name people in the industry getting Producer credits makes some sense. That being said, the cheapening of the title has definitely happened mostly at the hands of the lost packaging fees. Have to confess, it's a very well written article, and it makes a lot of sense. I still want my credit if I get something made!

It's really become as you state, a meaningless term and there are countless producers credited in every producer caregory, Executive Producer, Associate, Co-Producer..... Then Line Producers and Production Managers who really used to do the real work of making the movie, rather than just finding some of the money or various nepo and ego reasons. Producers also have been credit hogs, taking writing credits etc., When they can, I have one now claiming he directed a film I directed over a decade ago. A real producer is very important, but as you say how can you even tell by the credits nowadays.

The Producer credit has been diluted and watered down for a long, long time. The credit's already been split into multiple sub-genres... Co-Producer Associate Producer Supervising producer Consultant Producer Then there's the entire reality TV industry that has taken it to even greater sub-divisions... Field Producer Segment Producer Story Producer Senior Story Producer Associate Story Producer Junior Story Producer... As the poster says... we're literally ALL producers of some way and another - at least on paper.

The credit is for sale.  It’s what producers use to entice people to lend their name.  Give us money you will get a prod credit.  Give us ur name you will get prod credit. Most producers on any film either gave money or the wattage to attract money and cast. The real producer is the one who is on top of doing that and being responsible for the movie getting made and released. That’s the hard work. The hands on producer. Yes the title has been whittled down to mean very little.  

Exec Peoducer, should and has been the cover-all... but that's got so muddy, that talent and key crew are getting the same credit. Indies and crowd-funders have given the exec title to anyone that gives a 10er. Producers are hard working, fire fighters, making the film happen. The Produced By - is the producer that actually starts off at the beginning and there until the end.

I guess the title “producer” is simply a catch-all for anyone who helped get the film made in some shape or form. The Executive Producer is the actual key decisionmaker as they make the project happen (= brings in the money), the Lineproducer and/or Production Manager run the actual set (= spend the money). To me that’s the only true distinction

This is a very important question you are raising. The idea of a credit that becomes difficult to define, because it is given out for so many different reasons, makes that credit meaningless. There need to be different credits for different reasons, and those who truly produce the project, through their intimate creative efforts should not be lumped in with the agent representing the ‘A-list actor’ whose attachment got the financing secured. Both are important, but both are not producers.

It's true what you say. As it stands now, it's one word that can cover many things. From a person involved in nearly every single detail needed to get a production moving and keep it going, to someone who has put up significant funds to make it happen in the first place, to a "nod" credit in exchange for some kind of help or support given along the way, even if indirectly or minimal. I agree that there should be levels of clarification.

I do the work. But I’ll share the credit with anyone investing in my film.