ASK & DISCUSS INDEX

10 years, 4 months ago - Jackie Sheppard

Agree wholeheartedly with Paddy. And who is doing the paperwork? Who wants to end up with a film they can't screen/sell because there's paperwork missing. Never underestimate the job of a producer.

10 years, 4 months ago - Marlom Tander

You're the producer. Do you need an assistant? (To order pizza...)

10 years, 4 months ago - Byron Mc Nally

Everyone needs a producer

10 years, 4 months ago - David Roberts

Thank you everyone.

I'll post an advert and ensure it has "ordering pizza" in the role description.

10 years, 4 months ago - Paddy Robinson-Griffin

Personally, I'd say you're stretching things just too thin. 11am, you're in the middle of a scene, who's ordering the pizza?

10 years, 4 months ago - Claire Buckley

"I've already parted company with one producer..."

If you are defining a producer as one who is ultimately responsible for err, producing, taking care of business and detail then yes. But, the producer would often be hiring the director or there is at least a good degree of collaboration between the two. Come on David, acting in it, directing it... what is it you are trying to achieve for yourself? Get a team of people around you who you can work with to help you get the best. Don't bite off more than you can chew.

Claire

10 years, 4 months ago - Paddy Robinson-Griffin

Blimey! To be honest, you need help if you stand any chance of focusing - there's a reason why cast, director and producer are usually separate people.

Put it like this, shoot days you need-
Cast must be in their zone, running lines with other cast, learning their blocking in relation to one another, entering emotional states to give nuanced performances
Director must be making 1000 decisions about every element on screen, working with the cast to gone performances, directing the crew (if there's no AD)
Producer (or PM at least) should be focusing on everything else, tracking down the Soundie that arrived late, sorting lunch, paying crew, managing permits if necessary, arranging taxis, doing everything that isn't on screen but is part of the machinics of making a film.

OK, so it can be done, but as a director the most precious time you have is when you are making creative decisions on set. Anything that distracts you from that (the mundanity of filmmaking and dealing with groups of people) will reduce the quality of the film overall. If you need to break filming at 6pm so you can prep dinner for everyone to eat at 7pm, then back to filming at 8pm after clearing up the set of all the plates, it dents your film. If you shoot until 10 pm, that's going to be your first chance to wash up because of noise...

Film crews become children within hours of being on set, and become incapable of doing anything for themselves including keeping tidy or replacing a toilet roll. They will pull all kinds of faces about parking, permits, meters, not eating this or that, suddenly needing consumables, having to wait to share a kettle, not having space to unpack, etc. That's all stupid crap you shouldn't have to be dealing with as director at the same time as you're trying to manage cast and performance.

The work of production isn't seen directly on screen which is why people sometimes don't appreciate it, but indirectly it touches everything. As a department, it's the safety net that holds the rest of you, it's the dirty engine of the film that drives it forwards, but doesn't get seen, it holds the creative crucible so art can be distilled and tempered. So yes, you can do it yourself, but whilst you're being chef, production manager, producer, AD, etc., you're not being a director and not being a performer either. And I imagine those are the bits you really want to be doing!

10 years, 4 months ago - Ben Rider

Well, even though I applied for the role (and am still interested)... I feel the need to chime in and oppose most of the post's above. I produce my own work (sometimes entirely independently, other times with collaborators). It all depends on the scale. Sometimes it is overwhelming, and you have to immediately resign to the reality that you'll be compromising on the day, because you actually needed someone else to help; and other times you'll hardly even notice the difference. Having a spare head in the room that's thinking of the big picture though never goes a miss, and that's what a producer is to me really - someone who has seen the project go from page to screen, and has tried to facilitate or aid the vision that the director has. Not sure if this is actually of any use though. Just a comment.

10 years, 4 months ago - Mark Owen

I would say a 1st AD is a must, no matter how small or manageable you think the film is. I once thought like you did with one of my own films and it cost me big time.

10 years, 3 months ago - Vasco de Sousa

If you're only looking for 1000 pounds, don't look for a producer. Seriously, that's how much a good producer will charge for a week (or less.)

Get on with it.

But, yes, a producer will make things easier. Let the producer tell you how much money you need, including their money and money for the crew. And, expect to raise more than 1000. For 1000 total budget, you're the producer, and anyone working with you is a hobbyist, not a professional.

10 years, 4 months ago - David Roberts

I'm also a chef so I'm covering the catering as well. Did I not mention that?

10 years, 4 months ago - Becky Matthews

You always need a Producer, the biggest mistake would be to rush to get something made and then give yourself things to worry about that will get in the way of the filmmaking. A Producer's role doesn't have to be complex, but even on a simple shoot there is always stuff to organise, logistics to contend with and indeed, making sure the crew are fed and hydrated.

Maybe even reach out to someone you might know who is highly organised, or a Production Coordinator/Manager elsewhere. Also, not sure why you parted ways with your old Producer (and that's totally your business) but think about the reasons why, this is more a consideration about making sure that whoever you work with is super-clear about what you want from them and most importantly that you can work well together.

10 years, 4 months ago - simon drake

It depends what you want to do with it? If it's a weekend project to test your skills as a filmmaker and (if you're being honest with yourself...) aren't planning to win the Palme D'or, i'd say just do it. I've just written, produced and directed my second feature length film (the first has been picked up for DVD in May) because I couldn't get anyone to commit. Was a nightmare, but I got it done. And that was a feature filming in museums, police stations, churches, power stations and a day in Brussels. I don't recommend doing that, but if it's a freebie weekend short film so you and a few people to try a few things and no one is going to rinses their life savings, and you can't find anyone to commit i'd say go for it and see what happens... if it's a disaster, it's all good practice for your next.

10 years, 4 months ago - Adam Ethan Crow

I gotta say, if you are quite new to making your own film, I'd get producer - they can run the day to day, make sure Kraft services are in place and the light tun up - let them run the project, as director you run the crew. I also think that being quite new and acting in it, it might be detrimental to the film. I'd pick one, direct or act. not both.

Crow ...out!

10 years, 4 months ago - Andrew Morgan

I don't think you need a producer - you need an actor or a director. This is your first real shoot and you're going to be spending a chunk of your time in front of the camera which is the one place a director can't direct. You can't see yourself through the lens, you have to imagine what yours scenes are going to look like, you can't properly judge your co-stars performances because you're concentrating on your own. It can be (and of course, has been) done but if you're new to this, I wouldn't burden yourself with it - you'll make a far better film if you're just in front or behind the camera.

10 years, 3 months ago - Dan Selakovich

I produced and directed my own short on a 3 day shoot with 5 locations. It was a nightmare, and I have 30 years of experience. If I could have afforded a producer, I would have gotten one. I'll never do that again! Next time I'll find the money. The hard truth is, if I had a producer, the short would have been loads better. Absolutely no question about it. And I wasn't acting in it. I can't imagine doing what you're doing. One crisis and you're fucked. At the very least, get a 1st AD.