• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

John August

  • Arlo Finch
  • Scriptnotes
  • Library
  • Store
  • About

What do producers do?

Episode - 17

Go to Archive

December 20, 2011 News, Producers, Scriptnotes, Transcribed

Craig and John explain what producers do — at least, what they’re *supposed to do* — and discuss the myriad subclasses of producers that litter the opening titles of many movies.

Which is the more impressive credit — producer or executive producer? In film, it’s the former. In TV, it’s the latter. But whatever the title, producers are integral to getting a movie or TV show made.

Craig feels producers can be either anxiety buffers or anxiety conductors. John breaks down four essential roles you find producers filling:

1. **The general.** This producer keeps things moving forward and protects the production. She forces you to make decisions.
2. **The diplomat.** This producer makes sure crazy people feel respected, even when they’re being giant pains-in-the-ass. He talks the actress out of her trailer.
3. **The creative.** This producer reminds everyone what kind of movie they’re trying to make. She performs quality control for the production.
4. **The bulldozer.** This producer will smash down a phone booth to help the director get his shot. (This actually happened.)

Some producers can fill multiple roles (like diplomat-creative), but you’ll often find these qualities spread out among several people on a production, regardless of the size.

Who’s that fat cat, and how did he afford such a fancy cigar? Find out on episode seventeen of Scriptnotes.

LINKS:

* [Producer credits and what they mean](http://johnaugust.com/2004/producer-credits-and-what-they-mean)
* [Producers Guild of America](http://www.producersguild.org/)
* [Kelly Manners](http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0543128/) on IMDb
* INTRO: [The Weebles](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hy4lfHYDWt4&feature=related)
* OUTRO: [What More Can I Say (Falsettoland)](http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/what-more-can-i-say-falsettoland/id251490303?i=251490410) performed by the San Francisco’s Gay Men’s Chorus

You can download the episode here: [AAC](http://traffic.libsyn.com/scriptnotes/scriptnotes_ep_17.m4a).

UPDATE 1-4-12: The transcript of this episode can be found [here](http://johnaugust.com/2012/scriptnotes-ep-17-what-do-producers-do-transcript).

Related Posts

  1. Producer credits and what they mean
  2. More on becoming a co-producer
  3. Craft service

Primary Sidebar

Each week, screenwriters John August and Craig Mazin discuss screenwriting and things that are interesting to screenwriters, everything from the craft to the business to the best ways to get yourself writing.

The most recent 20 episodes are available for free on this site and Apple Podcasts. The entire 430+ episode back catalog, plus bonus content and episodes, are available to Premium Subscribers.

Where to Find It

  • Apple Podcasts
  • Spotify
  • RSS

Scriptnotes Premium

  •   Bonus segments and episodes
  •   Early access to events
  •   450+ episode back catalog
  •   Use your favorite podcast player.

Join now

Scriptnotes Shirts

Every Scriptnotes shirt is available on-demand from Cotton Bureau. 14 designs and counting.

All-time listener favorites include Scriptnotes Midnight Blue, Three-Act Structure and the Scriptnotes Tour Shirt.

These high-quality tees are super soft and available in all sizes, including children’s and hoodies.

Browse the catalog

© 2025 John August — All Rights Reserved.