Executive Producer Vs. Producer: What’s The Difference?

Have you ever watched a movie, noted that they credit both producers and executive producers, and wondered: what’s the difference? What makes someone an executive producer rather than just a producer? And what do producers do anyway? Clearly, they don’t act, set design, do costumes, do makeup, or do special effects. So what do they do?

That can vary a bit depending on the type of production, but to keep it simple, we’ll start with film producers and executive producers.

The role of the producer is a managerial one. The majority of their job is focused on logistics. They’re the ones who make sure the different people in the cast and crew get what they need when they need it, and they track the budget to make sure that they don’t go over it.

Executive producers’ main duties are to manage the producers. They’re in charge of securing funding and overseeing the entire production from start to finish. They are at the top of the production line, managing the different departments to make sure that everything runs smoothly, on schedule, and within budget.

Key Takeaways:

Executive Producer	Producer
In movies, the executive producer is arguably the highest role. They are responsible for funding and steering the project.	In film, producers are in charge of logistics. They track the budget for their area and make sure that timelines are kept, and people get the resources they need.
In television, executive producers are the creative force behind the show. They’re the head writer and head advocate for their program.	In television, producers are also the creative forces behind the show. They will help with writing, pitching, getting the show off the ground, and the day-to-day filming.
In a theater production, executive producers’ duties are similar to those in film production. It’s a largely supervisory role that involves keeping track of funding and the schedule.	Producers in a theater production are involved with hiring staff and actors, finding a venue, ticket prices and advertising, as well as technical issues.
As a rule, executive producers have more experience than producers. They often started out as a producer, and then when they got enough recognition and experience, they became an executive producer.	Producers are less experienced or well-known than executive producers. That’s why they report to an executive producer and have a lower salary, though their contribution is vital to the success of a creative endeavor.
In the video game industry, the role of executive producer is ill-defined. Often it’s an external producer or someone who doesn’t work as the developer.	In the video game industry, producers’ roles are very similar to movies. They track the budget, timeline, and progress of the project.
Executive producers average a salary of about $118,000 per year.	On average, producers get paid an annual salary of $72,000.

What Is an Executive Producer?

An executive producer is arguably the highest-ranking person in production. While you’ve most likely seen the title in movie credits, there are also executive producers on television shows, theater productions, and other types of performances.

As a rule, executive producers are either famous or have been in the movie industry or show business for a long time. Many of them are also heads of a production company, which is what allows them to pull in the funding needed to create a film.

Being an executive, they usually aren’t much involved in the day-to-day process of production. Their job is to secure funding, hire the necessary producers and other staff, and then coordinate the producers and track the budget.

Executive producers decide the general direction of the film as well as the basic interpretation of the script. But if they’re involved too deeply in the filming process, then they’d be micromanaging rather than doing their job.

In theater, executive producers’ jobs are much the same. They secure funding, come up with the general interpretation of the script, and pull together the necessary talent.

Despite it being the same title, executive producers in television shows have a different roles. They aren’t in charge of securing funding but are instead focused on the creative process. Usually, the executive producer of a show is going to be the creative force behind it or even the creator.

In video games, there really aren’t any executive producers. Sometimes an outside producer will be credited as an executive producer, but there’s no consensus.

What Is a Producer?

A producer is a managerial position on a film, television show, or theater production. Producers take care of logistics and coordination, making sure that the process is within budget and that the different parts of the production come together.

While not a director, producers are involved in the day-to-day filming process. They make sure that the different parts of the team come together, such as set design, costuming, special effects, and editing.

Producers are usually hired by the executive producer and report directly to them. They have to be able to answer to them for the budget, the timeline, and the general state of the project. As they’re in a subordinate role, producers often have less experience than executive producers as well as less name recognition.

In a theater production, the producer’s role is much the same. The main difference is that they are also involved in finding a venue, setting ticket prices, and looking into technical issues. While producers for films may be involved in selecting locations to film and other technical issues, it’s more immediate with a live performance.

On a television show, it’s a bit different. Producers are much more directly involved in the project itself as it’s a much longer-term endeavor. Television producers are also writers, part of the creative process, and work to help with the funding and recognition for the project.

Depending on the size and budget of the project, there may be more delegation. But the producers still report to the executive producer – sometimes also called the showrunner – and work with them to get the project to where they want it to be.

In the video game industry, a producer does much the same thing as they do in movies or theater. The difference is that they largely work with engineers and programmers. They track the budget, timeline and goals for the project and help with marketing, planning, and coordination of different parts of the project.

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Author

Di Doherty

Di has been a writer for more than half her life. Most of her writing so far has been fiction, and she’s gotten short stories published in online magazines Kzine and Silver Blade, as well as a flash fiction piece in the Bookends review. Di graduated from Mary Baldwin College (now University) with a degree in Psychology and Sociology.

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