What's the difference between an Executive & Associate Producer?

M

Mickey Munday

Well-known member
tell me if i'm correct on this: if you know a sales guy (that knows nothing about filmmaking) that is pretty tight with a wealthy person and then introduces you to this wealthy person to make a film...in terms of credits, would the sales guy be the associate producer and the wealthy person be the executive producer when discussing producer credits?

how is the associate producer paid his finders fee? i've read it's normally 3-5% of the funding he secures, but would it be up front as soon as the production money is locked in place or would it be paid out of profits?

i've been reading a lot of information on producing and there seems to be a thin line between the associate producer and an executive producer on an independent film.
 
You have it right. The sales guy is the associate producer, the rich guy is the executive producer.

As for how he is paid, it depends on what the two of you agree to. Either you pay him up-front when the money is secured, or you have a deferred-pay arrangement. Personally, I'd pay him up-front, regardless of how I'm paying anyone else. A good associate producer -- someone who is adept at finding the money people for you -- is worth his weight in gold.
 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Film_producer

Definitions

Producer: the individual who has the greatest involvement and oversight among a film's various producers. In smaller companies or independent projects, may be the equivalent of the executive producer.

Executive producer: In major productions, usually a representative or CEO of the film studio - although the title may be given as an honorarium to a major investor - often oversees the financial, administrative and creative aspects of production, though not technical aspects. In smaller companies or independent projects, may be synonymous with creator/writer.

Co-producer: A producer who reports to the Executive Producer and provides money to finance a project. In large productions, the co-producer is more involved in the day-to-day production. In independent projects, the title can connote an involvement in the inception of the production.

Associate producer: Usually acts as a representative of the Producer, who may share financial, creative, or administrative responsibilities, delegated from that producer. Often, a title for an experienced film professional acting as a consultant or a title granted as a courtesy to one who makes a major financial or creative contribution to the production.

Assistant producer: Usually works under the direction of the Associate Producer.
Production director: A representative of the film company assigned to the set and
given the authority to act on behalf of the senior production-team members.

Line Producer: Oversees a film's budget and day-to-day activities

Production supervisor : Usually performs managerial duties on one aspect of the production.

Production manager: Manages the studio.

Post production supervisor: Usually performs the post team in movies.

Production designer: Usually oversees the on screen visual aspects of a location or set - including stage dressing, props, color palette, and set design.

Administrative Producer: Reports to the Board of Directors. Freelancers are employed by the Administrative Producer for specific tasks such as press and publicity activities, design, production management, etc.
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thanks blaine

chapelgrovefilms said:
You have it right. The sales guy is the associate producer, the rich guy is the executive producer.

As for how he is paid, it depends on what the two of you agree to. Either you pay him up-front when the money is secured, or you have a deferred-pay arrangement. Personally, I'd pay him up-front, regardless of how I'm paying anyone else. A good associate producer -- someone who is adept at finding the money people for you -- is worth his weight in gold.
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yea i was thinking that's what made the most sense (paying him up front) since there wouldn't be a film without having his contacts. cool, i just didn't know if there was a typical way of doing things.
 
A lot of this varies from medium to medium. In low budget TV and DVD bonus world, the executive producer is the person who signs my checks and the associate producer is the one on the phone booking talent for interviews, dealing with the studio, handling logistics of my travel and shoots. They are the "stay in the office and be the communications conduit" but of course this varies, depending on the medium.

Dan
 
Along these lines I am wondering about two titles in my documentary that I am "Producing" It is about POW and MIA Veterans.

I am the guy who is shooting the footage, funding the works, directing the editing, the concept, doing the interviews, directing the makeup, setting up the sound...So rather than title myself DICTATOR in the film, how should I list myself? :)

Now my son is doing the actual at the computer editing with me. He is involved in some concept, assisting on location shoots, and will entirely score the film. What is the best way to list him? We have a dedicated website to the film but I don't know if it is proper to put that out here on the rules of the forum. BTW, #1 son is also a web designer and did the website as well.
 
I've even seen where the Executive Producer was simply the guy who ponied up the cash for the movie but had no say-so or anything else to do with the movie. One of the "Associate Producers" simply was the Producer's girl friend. "Associate Producer" credit can be handed out to just about anybody!!!
 
Interestingly, when you copyright a movie, the U.S. Copyright Office doesn't want to see the Executive Producer listed as a holder of the copyright. They only accept creative positions as the copyright holder. I mention this because I once had to change our Executive Producer's title on the copyright paperwork to Co-Producer for them to accept it.
 
yea i've been reading the AP title is a give away credit in some cases.

blaine which form is needed to fill out for a feature film? i'm used to copyrighting music. did you have to list EVERY creative position? i thought the copyright holder for a movie originally would be the person that created it.
 
The other night I attended an event by Erik Bork (writer and producer on Band of Brothers, etc.) and he said the Executive Producer is the people paying the money/investing in the film, the Producer is the one putting the film together, and essentially any other Producer with something in front of it (Assistant, Supervising, etc.) is one of the writers who worked a producer credit into their deal.
 
Mickey Munday said:
yea i've been reading the AP title is a give away credit in some cases.

blaine which form is needed to fill out for a feature film? i'm used to copyrighting music. did you have to list EVERY creative position? i thought the copyright holder for a movie originally would be the person that created it.
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Not necessarily. We had 2 producers, 1 director and 1 "co-producer" (Exec Prod.) who were equal partners on it, so that's who we used.

chris f said:
The other night I attended an event by Erik Bork (writer and producer on Band of Brothers, etc.) and he said the Executive Producer is the people paying the money/investing in the film, the Producer is the one putting the film together, and essentially any other Producer with something in front of it (Assistant, Supervising, etc.) is one of the writers who worked a producer credit into their deal.
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In television, the Producer definitions change somewhat from film. For example, the Executive Producer runs the show in TV, not the Director. The Executive Producer is usually the creator and/or show runner.
 
ha, that is interesting also Blaine. Please tell me a little more about the copyright process for a documentary film..I didn't even think about that. Should I do this with my film. I mean the website is out there now and I am a little nervous about someone else jumping on the concept.
 
concepts and ideas can't be copyrighted. if it were, there would only be one documentary on Obama instead of 25,000,000, lol.
 
Jokerswild said:
ha, that is interesting also Blaine. Please tell me a little more about the copyright process for a documentary film..I didn't even think about that. Should I do this with my film. I mean the website is out there now and I am a little nervous about someone else jumping on the concept.
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Absolutely. You need to own the copyright to be able to sell it. Follow this LINK for the correct form.
 
a finders agreement should be a one time deal correct? if this AP finds you an investor, you sign an agreement that he gets 3% of the budget as payment, then you do an additional project a year later with the same investors that the AP had found you - he doesn't continually get a finders fee percentage for every project thereafter right? like getting residuals in a sense.
 
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