What does a producer do?
A producer is an individual who is responsible for providing infrastructure, resources, and logistics in making a movie, television show, or stage production. Producers hire production staff such as director, crew, and sometimes actors to coordinate their activities throughout the production process. They support the creative team by conducting meetings to discuss the production's progress and ensure adherence to deadlines. Producers also travel often either to film on location for a movie or to tour with a theatre production.
Producer responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real producer resumes:
- Manage and augment existing budget with EP.
- Manage production of a Sony HD motion graphics internal sales video.
- Manage all union matters including, IASTE, DGA and AFTRA.
- Prospect and generate new business through telemarketing leads, referrals, networking and cold leads.
- Lead the creation of key titles including high profile X360 launch title and new NFL brand IP.
- Manage and guide guest bloggers through the editing process, copy edit blogs and produce content in HTML.
- Provide script content for all social media, including LinkedIn, Facebook, and YouTube.
- Supervise & coordinate live action shoots (HD, SD) & still photo shoots.
- Coordinate with international and domestic production companies to develop television and radio commercials while maintaining strict budgets and deadlines.
- Create LLC for the company.
- Coordinate social media, Facebook and Instagram.
- Create template Wordpress websites and update them with new content.
- Work with DSLR and XDCAMs to create broadcast quality products.
- Write and edit online news for company website and Facebook page.
- Help create content and run soundboard to coordinate breaks and commercials.
Producer skills and personality traits
We calculated that 9% of Producers are proficient in Work Ethic, Video Production, and Client Relationships. They’re also known for soft skills such as Communication skills, Leadership skills, and Time-management skills.
We break down the percentage of Producers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Work Ethic, 9%
Displayed strong work ethic with commitment to organization, ongoing quality improvement, and professionalism.
- Video Production, 6%
Produced and directed video productions, photo shoots, advertising/promotional campaigns, special events, and presentation developments.
- Client Relationships, 6%
Manage client relationships and ensure client satisfaction through direct engagement, while thinking strategically for new potential program opportunities.
- Project Management, 6%
Managed staff of six in market research and project management to deliver interactive ancillary content in support of educational programs.
- Cross-Selling, 6%
Developed a book of business increasing sales through cold-calling, cross-selling and networking.
- News Stories, 4%
Introduced music, researched/delivered news stories, and conducted interviews with entertainers and community leaders.
Common skills that a producer uses to do their job include "work ethic," "video production," and "client relationships." You can find details on the most important producer responsibilities below.
Communication skills. The most essential soft skill for a producer to carry out their responsibilities is communication skills. This skill is important for the role because "producers and directors must convey information and ideas clearly in order to coordinate many people to finish a production on time and within budget." Additionally, a producer resume shows how their duties depend on communication skills: "produced a promotional video for webster university's video production department in the school of communications. "
Leadership skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling producer duties is leadership skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "directors instruct actors and help them portray their characters in a believable manner." According to a producer resume, here's how producers can utilize leadership skills in their job responsibilities: "manage all aspects of video production, providing leadership to multiple external vendors, and saving the company $500,000 annually. "
Creativity. For certain producer responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "creativity." The day-to-day duties of a producer rely on this skill, as "because a script may be interpreted in different ways, directors must decide on their approach and on how to represent the script’s ideas for the production." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what producers do: "managed inventory, scheduled, and oversaw incoming/outgoing video production equipment for multiple shoots. "
The three companies that hire the most producers are:
- Kroger1,683 producers jobs
- Highmark49 producers jobs
- iHeartMedia47 producers jobs
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Compare different producers
Producer vs. Audio visual specialist
Audiovisual specialists are skilled professionals who focus on the effective operation of audiovisual systems and technology. These specialists are required to maintain and troubleshoot audio, video, and lighting equipment that are used in broadcasts and recordings. They must connect, tune, and configure audio-video setups to ensure high-quality broadcasting while operating software to control the AV technologies. Audiovisual specialists must also monitor live feeds as well as prepare teleprompters with scripts.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, producer responsibilities require skills like "work ethic," "client relationships," "project management," and "cross-selling." Meanwhile a typical audio visual specialist has skills in areas such as "visualization," "unity," "audio visual support," and "sales floor." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
On average, audio visual specialists reach similar levels of education than producers. Audio visual specialists are 3.8% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.5% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Producer vs. Freelance videographer/editor
A freelance videographer/editor is responsible for processing and editing video contents, usually on a project basis. Freelance videographer/editors create their footage using their shooting equipment, utilize various design and editing software, and finish the project based on the clients' specifications and deliverables. They should also have a good grasp of digital marketing to produce impactful videos to the target audience. A freelance videographer/editor must be detail-oriented and have excellent communication skills to coordinate with the production team for content plans and perform adjustments as needed.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that producer responsibilities requires skills like "work ethic," "client relationships," "project management," and "cross-selling." But a freelance videographer/editor might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "training videos," "camera operation," "video projects," and "audio equipment."
Average education levels between the two professions vary. Freelance videographer/editors tend to reach similar levels of education than producers. In fact, they're 3.9% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.5% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for producers in the next 3-5 years?
Johnathan Paul
Adjunct Professor, University of North Texas
Producer vs. Freelance video editor
A freelance video editor offers video editing services to individuals and businesses. Most freelance video editors manage their own time and work at their preferred places, some even working from home. Among their responsibilities include meeting with clients to identify their needs and preferences, negotiating contracts, gathering and editing clips, and completing projects within deadlines. There are also instances when they must shoot videos in adherence to the contract's terms. Moreover, a freelance video editor must establish positive relationships with clients to develop a strong client base.
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, producers are more likely to have skills like "work ethic," "client relationships," "project management," and "cross-selling." But a freelance video editor is more likely to have skills like "training videos," "motion graphics," "adobe premiere pro," and "edit video."
Freelance video editors typically earn similar educational levels compared to producers. Specifically, they're 2.3% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.4% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Producer vs. Freelance photographer
A freelance photographer produces photos while under a specific short-term contract. They are primarily responsible for coordinating with the client to learn any requests or preferences, bringing necessary devices and lighting equipment, securing the best location and setting, handling any obstruction during the photoshoot, and delivering high-quality results in a short amount of time. Moreover, a photographer must maintain a healthy working environment with clients or models by building rapport, which will also help establish a client base.
Types of producer
Updated January 8, 2025
