The role of the producer is to find the original idea of the film or the script of the film. Not only this but the the producer has to find the director and protect him/her, putting their visual ideas upon screen. The producer is also the entrepreneur of the business having to get the money together. Nick Powell talks about the 4 blocks. These are; developing the ideas, physically making the film, followed by raising and putting the film on screen.
The essentials for a good script include; having a well told story, here there is importance of having a passionate idea from the writer so that the story is easily marketable. The script should also comprise of a simple idea for the audience, including references to the real world so that the audience are able to connect to the storyline. The starting point should be a big idea and a question creating a journey through the story having a start, middle and end. This will then be a blue print for the director to be inspired by and build upon. It is also important for the director to care about the individuals involved within the film. The script will usually go through 12 to 15 drafts before it is fully complied.
The 'Package' involves an initial plan of the cast involved, scheduling and the production team. Discussion will also include the budget needing to be set. Script development will also take place by having to polish and rewrite the script. This may include having to transpose settings, eliminate lines or cut the cast. This will result in hoping to find finance and enables a valid judgement on how the final film will turn out.
In the UK, producers have several options for investment. They can go to a television company such as Channel 4 and the BBC or get a regional film fund. A group of financiers is also possible, usually composing of 3 to 10 partners. British producers can also have co production deals with other producers. These are usually found across the channel. Studio Canal is an example of a French co production. A single funder is easier to find although, this means that full control is given to the funder. This in contrast is different to an independent production when the director or producer is in charge. A UK film producer will decide on the best deal for each film by evaluating the possible competition their film will take.
When planning and shooting the film the producer will firstly decide what sections will be filmed where. Preparation will also have to be carried out on finding locations for the hardest scenes, this usually being done early in the shooting process. The producer will also cast and deal with the heads of department such as costume and make up. The right hand of the director is the cinematographer. Their input is needed to construct a budget from the script.
The importance of budget is that the film is entirely based on investment plans. The films finance plan will pay the budget back. The budget is created through the breakdown of the script into specific sections. A table is then constructed and used to analysis the script. This is broken down down into two sections; above and below the line costs. Above the line costs are the creative talent packages. This includes the writer, script, producer and team, director and main casting actors/actresses. In contrast to this, below the line costs include the team who put the shoot together, photographers of the shoot and the background actors/ actresses.
The executive producer needs to ask questions about the audience before every film. A specific audience needs to be defined. Not only this but where will the film be played?, who will pay to see the film?, what price will be paid? and will their be an audience of significant numbers? The market place needs to understand this because the audience determine whether the film will be a financial success or not.
Marketing is often considered a hidden cost...but is the key source of income.The film should fall into a certain genre because this can determine the success of a film by appealing to a certain audience of interest of can encourage an audience by relevant seasons. A 'need to see' aspect is also created so that the audience are enticed into the film, having a possibility of missing out. This is suspended by including high directors and big actors. Finally the significant difference between the Hollywood and UK film industries are that in America the industry consider the audience and marketing first. Where as in contrast, the UK film industry consider the budget of the idea first and the release date of the film worldwide.
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