How many "Producers" does a show need...? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Dr. Thong · 12-21-2010, 03:41 PM

This can be directed at dramas as well, but how many "producers" does a show need...?

It seemed like some of the old shows might have had one or two producers (sometimes including an "executive producer") and that was it.

Now, it seems that every show has 10 "executive producers" as well as about the same amount of "producers." There are also "co-producers" as well.

I mean, is "producer" just a title they hand out to writers to appease them so they can get an onscreen credit in each episodes. Also, in many shows, the stars of the shows are often credited with a "producer" title as well.

Does anyone here know why the rash of "producers" on these shows...?

Dr. Thong · 01-16-2011, 11:07 AM

Bump.

Anyone got anything on this one?

ThomasE · 01-16-2011, 12:58 PM

Well let's see...

We'll begin with the Executive Producers. The Executive may not really do anything in regards to the run of the show but will act as overseer of his/her investment. Most of the time, they put up the money for the show. Then you have some executives that may also contribute somebody or something extremely significant in exchange for the executive credit. Then you have the executive producer that actually WORKS ON SET. LOL. They will oversee and sometimes act as director of a scene that is being filmed and make sure everything is dandy.

Producers are multiple because of different segments. Sometimes a lot of footage is used and you may need a co-producer to share the work with at times.

Associate Producers are the umbrellas of the producers where they get the elements used for the producers to create a quality piece of work.

Junior Associate Producers work underneath Associate Producers and basically take on tasks of the things the AP can't do at a particular time and help to create a segment.

I know Brian Austin Green from 90210 got a producer credit in his last few seasons of the show so he must have had a minor contribution to the show. Melrose's Heather Locklear got a producer's credit as well. I wonder what contributions these guys made to receive the credit? I recently worked on a pilot for a reailty show. I found a bee farm for the crew to film at and was given a "Segment Producer" credit by the end of the day. LOL. So, Dr. Thong. The credit can be passed around but there are only a select few that actually do the work. I feel where you're coming from.

Dr. Thong · 01-16-2011, 06:58 PM

Thanks. Your answer shed some light on my question. Like I said before, old shows might have one or two producers total, sometimes including an executive producer.

It seemed that older shows had a lot less people with the "producer" title.

ThomasE · 01-17-2011, 02:45 AM

Well now adays, many want to have the title of the producer. When I worked on the Michael Vick Project for BET, Michael Vick got a credit, his fiancee got a credit, his agent got a credit, the owner of the production company got a credit and then there is the co exec who was the one that ran the show and directed. You have many executives with titles. LOL.

12-21-2010, 03:41 PM	#1
Dr. Thong a/k/a "ACK!" Forum Veteran Join Date: Jul 10, 2001 Location: New Hampshire, USA Posts: 5,546	How many "Producers" does a show need...? This can be directed at dramas as well, but how many "producers" does a show need...? It seemed like some of the old shows might have had one or two producers (sometimes including an "executive producer") and that was it. Now, it seems that every show has 10 "executive producers" as well as about the same amount of "producers." There are also "co-producers" as well. I mean, is "producer" just a title they hand out to writers to appease them so they can get an onscreen credit in each episodes. Also, in many shows, the stars of the shows are often credited with a "producer" title as well. Does anyone here know why the rash of "producers" on these shows...?
	__________________ "Sunday has been cancelled due to lack of interest. That is all."

01-16-2011, 12:58 PM	#3
ThomasE Member Moderator Forum Fanatic Join Date: Apr 04, 2000 Location: New York, New York, U.S.A. Posts: 10,857	Well let's see... We'll begin with the Executive Producers. The Executive may not really do anything in regards to the run of the show but will act as overseer of his/her investment. Most of the time, they put up the money for the show. Then you have some executives that may also contribute somebody or something extremely significant in exchange for the executive credit. Then you have the executive producer that actually WORKS ON SET. LOL. They will oversee and sometimes act as director of a scene that is being filmed and make sure everything is dandy. Producers are multiple because of different segments. Sometimes a lot of footage is used and you may need a co-producer to share the work with at times. Associate Producers are the umbrellas of the producers where they get the elements used for the producers to create a quality piece of work. Junior Associate Producers work underneath Associate Producers and basically take on tasks of the things the AP can't do at a particular time and help to create a segment. I know Brian Austin Green from 90210 got a producer credit in his last few seasons of the show so he must have had a minor contribution to the show. Melrose's Heather Locklear got a producer's credit as well. I wonder what contributions these guys made to receive the credit? I recently worked on a pilot for a reailty show. I found a bee farm for the crew to film at and was given a "Segment Producer" credit by the end of the day. LOL. So, Dr. Thong. The credit can be passed around but there are only a select few that actually do the work. I feel where you're coming from.
	__________________ Check out my my "It's A Living" Facebook Fanpage!!! https://m.facebook.com/groups/107208...&source=result

01-16-2011, 11:07 AM	#2
Dr. Thong a/k/a "ACK!" Forum Veteran Join Date: Jul 10, 2001 Location: New Hampshire, USA Posts: 5,546	Bump. Anyone got anything on this one?

01-16-2011, 06:58 PM	#4
Dr. Thong a/k/a "ACK!" Forum Veteran Join Date: Jul 10, 2001 Location: New Hampshire, USA Posts: 5,546	Thanks. Your answer shed some light on my question. Like I said before, old shows might have one or two producers total, sometimes including an executive producer. It seemed that older shows had a lot less people with the "producer" title.

01-17-2011, 02:45 AM	#5
ThomasE Member Moderator Forum Fanatic Join Date: Apr 04, 2000 Location: New York, New York, U.S.A. Posts: 10,857	Well now adays, many want to have the title of the producer. When I worked on the Michael Vick Project for BET, Michael Vick got a credit, his fiancee got a credit, his agent got a credit, the owner of the production company got a credit and then there is the co exec who was the one that ran the show and directed. You have many executives with titles. LOL.