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Executive producer (EP) is one of the top positions in the production of media. Depending on the medium, the executive producer may be concerned with management accounting or associated with legal issues (like copyrights or royalties). In films, the executive producer generally contributes to the film's budget and their involvement depends on the project, with some simply securing funds and others being involved in the filmmaking process.

Motion pictures

In films, executive producers may finance the film, participate in the creative effort, or work on set. Their responsibilities vary from funding or attracting investors into the movie project to legal, scripting, marketing, advisory and supervising capacities.

Executive producers vary in involvement, responsibility and power. Some executive producers have hands-on control over every aspect of production, some supervise the producers of a project, while others are involved in name only.

The crediting of executive producers in the film industry has risen over time. In the mid-to-late 1990s, there were an average of just under two executive producers per film. In 2000, the number jumped to 2.5 (more than the number of standard "film producers"). In 2013, there were an average of 4.4 executive producers per film. One reason for the increase in executive producers per film is the desire to spread risk, whether due to increasing cost of film making for larger budget films, often met by multiple studios banding together, or alternatively the need to attract multiple smaller investors for lower budget independent films.

Television

In television, the executive producer credit is often applied to individuals who are involved with the production in a hands-on capacity; an executive producer usually supervises the creative content, plans and schedules the filming with the producer and team, and may be involved in the financial budgeting of a production. Some writers, like Aaron Sorkin, Stephen J. Cannell, Tina Fey, and Ryan Murphy, have worked as both the creator and the producer of the same show.

As in film, executive producer credits in television are also commonly applied to individuals who are involved in the production in a more hands-off capacity, such as the owner of the show's production company. In the case of multiple executive producers on a television show, the one responsible for day-to-day production is usually called the showrunner, or the leading executive producer.

Music

In recorded music, record labels distinguish between an executive producer and a record producer. The executive producer is responsible for business decisions and more recently, organizing the recordings along with the music producer, whereas the record producer makes the music. Sometimes the executive producer organizes the recording and selects recording-related crew, such as sound engineers and session musicians.

Video games

In the video game industry, the title "executive producer" is not well-defined. It may refer to an external producer working for the publisher, who works with the developers.

For example, in 2012, Jay-Z was announced as executive producer for NBA 2K13. His role consisted of appearing in an introduction, picking songs for the game's soundtrack and contributing to the designs of its in-game menus "and other visual elements".

Radio

An executive radio producer helps create, develop, and implement strategies to improve product and ratings.

See also

• Film producer
• Creative executive
• Development executive
• Line producer
• Senior producer and supervising producer
• Showrunner
• Studio executive
• Unit production manager
• Music supervisor

References

1. "What is an Executive Producer?". WiseGEEK. Retrieved 21 January 2014.
2. "Executive Producer". CareersinFilm.com. Retrieved 16 May 2019.
3. "Executive Producer (aka Executive in Charge of Production)". Archived from the original on 18 January 2017. Retrieved 12 January 2017.
4. Russell, Jim (9 March 2013). "What is an Executive Producer?". The Program Doctor. Retrieved 16 May 2019.
5. Follows, Stephen (17 March 2014). "How many movie producers does a film need?". Stephen Follows Film Data and Education. Retrieved 4 May 2016.
6. Bailey, Jason (8 August 2016). "Why Are There So Damn Many Production Company Logo Animations Before Movies?". Flavorwire. Retrieved 6 October 2022.
7. "Frequently Asked Questions - Producers Guild of America". Archived from the original on 7 April 2010. Retrieved 12 March 2013.
8. "Executive producer in the film and TV drama industries". ScreenSkills. Retrieved 25 November 2023.
9. August, John (21 October 2004). "Producer credits and what they mean". Retrieved 25 November 2023.
10. "There can be multiple executive producers on a series, but the one in charge is called the showrunner". Archived from the original on 26 March 2013. Retrieved 10 March 2013.
11. Discovery Channel (3 January 2011). "What does a music executive producer do?". Curiosity. Archived from the original on 10 April 2013. Retrieved 12 March 2013.
12. "Argent said Jay-Z's influence would be felt immediately in the game, starting during its video introduction. Jay-Z also handpicked the game's soundtrack". CNN. 1 August 2012. Retrieved 1 August 2012.
13. "Jay-Z NBA 2K13: Rapper Announced As 'Executive Producer'". BBC News. 2 August 2012. Retrieved 2 August 2012.
14. "Executive Producer". Radio & Television Business Report. 6 November 2017. Archived from the original on 25 March 2018. Retrieved 25 March 2018.

External links

• "What is the point of executive producers?" BBC News. 19 October 2007.

• Filmmaking occupations
• Mass media occupations
• Entertainment occupations
• Broadcasting occupations
• Producers
• Management occupations
• Film production