biography of film producers

List of Famous Film Producers

List of famous film producers , with photos, bios, and other information when available. Who are the top film producers in the world? This includes the most prominent film producers, living and dead, both in America and abroad. This list of notable film producers is ordered by their level of prominence, and can be sorted for various bits of information, such as where these historic film producers were born and what their nationality is. The people on this list are from different countries, but what they all have in common is that they're all renowned film producers.

Items on this list include Coen brothers and Mental escape.

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27 prolific film producers of the 21st century

This story originally appeared on Giggster and was produced and distributed in partnership with Stacker Studio.

Movie stars, along with some directors, have the most recognizable names when it comes to film. Even though the producer, or a team of producers, does some of the most crucial work bringing a movie to the screen from start to completion, they aren't often household names.

The producer, or production team, organizes every aspect of getting a film made, from script development to funding to shooting to distribution. That's why a movie's main producers get nominated when a movie is up for a Best Picture Academy Award—they're the ones who led the team that made it happen.

To spotlight some of Hollywood's most prolific producers,  Giggster researched the most film producers of the 21st century and highlighted 27 across different genres, budgets, and corners of the film industry with at least 10 feature credits to their names. To count, the film had to credit the producer as either a producer or executive producer.

Read on for the producers with the most credits who are also behind some of the most popular and critically important movies of the past two decades. You'll be surprised by the range of projects these producers had their hands in creating.

Jason Blum produced both of writer-director Jordan Peele's acclaimed horror smashes, "Get Out" and "Us." One of Blum's first producing hits was the 2007 found-footage horror film "Paranormal Activity"; he's since produced the seven films in the franchise through 2021. His significant films in the past decade include "Whiplash," "Blackkklansman," "The Invisible Man," and "The Hunt."

Barbara Broccoli

Barbara Broccoli has produced all of the modern James Bond movies, starting with 1995's "GoldenEye," when the iconic role of 007 transferred from Timothy Dalton to Pierce Brosnan. Broccoli's family owns Eon, the production company behind the majority of films in the franchise since 1962's "Dr. No." In 2006, the Bond role went to Daniel Craig in "Casino Royale," who held it through the 2021 box office hit "No Time to Die."

Jerry Bruckheimer

Jerry Bruckheimer's highly influential producer credits include the 1980s hits "Flashdance" and "Top Gun," each with chart-topping pop songs adding to the films' cultural splashes. In the 1990s Bruckheimer teamed with director Michael Bay, producing stylish action films like 1995's "Bad Boys," through its third franchise installment in 2020. Bruckheimer's biggest hits throughout the 2000s and 2010s are the five ride-based Disney blockbusters making up the "Pirates of the Caribbean" franchise.

John Davis produced every installment from the popular "Predator" film franchise since 1987, including 2022's "Prey." Davis' other production credits include comic strip-inspired films such as the "Garfield" films and 2010's "Marmaduke," along with family fare such as "Eragon," "Mr. Popper's Penguins," and "Ferdinand." Davis has also often worked with comedian Eddie Murphy, having produced "Daddy Day Care," "Norbit," and 2019's "Dolemite Is My Name."

Denise Di Novi

Denise Di Novi has notably produced film adaptations based on Nicholas Sparks' novels such as "Nights in Rodanthe" and 2012's "The Lucky One." Di Novi also often produces movies with strong female-centered plots including the "Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants" films and the 1994 and 2019 "Little Women" adaptations. She also produced the cult hit "Heathers" in 1989 and several Tim Burton films such as "Edward Scissorhands" and "The Nightmare Before Christmas."

Lauren Shuler Donner

Lauren Shuler Donner produced the hugely popular "Free Willy" franchise as well as iconic romcoms like 1980's "Pretty in Pink" and 1998's "You've Got Mail." However, her most prominent producing credit is with the "X-Men" film franchise; Donner produced "X-Men: Days of Future Past" and "Deadpool," as well as other major films of the series.

Megan Ellison

Megan Ellison produces award-winning films, helming critically acclaimed movies that have broad appeal, including "Booksmart" and "House of Gucci." She's received four Academy Award Best Picture nominations for "Zero Dark Thirty," "Her," "American Hustle," and "Phantom Thread." Ellison also produced Barry Jenkins' "If Beale Street Could Talk" and Miranda July's "Kajillionaire."

Kevin Feige

Kevin Feige, the producer behind the Marvel Universe franchise, is responsible for steering some of the most popular films of all time, including 2019's "Avengers: Endgame" and 2021's "Spider-Man: No Way Home." He also received a Best Picture Oscar nomination for "Black Panther."

David Fenkel and Daniel Katz

David Fenkel and Daniel Katz started the production company A24 in 2013, which is known for financing celebrated independent films like award-winners "Moonlight" and "Lady Bird." The company also offers thrillers such as "Uncut Gems," in which comedian Adam Sandler stars against type. A24 is also the banner and distributor for innovative, standout horror hits "Hereditary" and "Midsommar."

Dede Gardner

Dede Gardner produces critically acclaimed films with social justice themes such as "The Normal Heart," which focuses on AIDS activism, and "Selma," set during the civil rights movement. Gardner also produced such riveting dramas as "Minari," "The Last Black Man in San Francisco," "If Beale Street Could Talk," and "Okja." Gardner won Best Picture Oscars for producing "12 Years a Slave" and "Moonlight."

Aaron and Brenda Gilbert

Aaron and Brenda Gilbert are a married team based in Vancouver, Canada, who started Bron Studio in 2010, a company that both finances and produces renowned films often focused on stories that diverge from mainstream action fare. Among their productions include "Bombshell" and "Pieces of a Woman," which focuses on the experiences of women and garnered acting award nominations for their respective stars. The Gilberts also produced a number of films focused on the stories and experiences of Black people such as "Respect," "Queen & Slim," "Judas and the Black Messiah," and "Fences."

Dana Goldberg

Early in her career, Dana Goldberg produced commercial hits like "Happy Feet" and "I Am Legend." After taking the helm at Skydance, she's produced movies in both the "Mission: Impossible" and "Star Trek" film franchises starting in the 2010s. She's also produced big-budget action tentpoles of the "Transformers" and "Terminator" series as well as science fiction actioners like "The Tomorrow War" and "The Old Guard."

Nina Jacobson

Nina Jacobson shepherds bestselling book adaptations to the screen. She's the producer behind the hugely popular "Crazy Rich Asians" and its upcoming sequels, which are based on the novel trilogy by author Kevin Kwan. Jacobson also produced the movie adaptations for the "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" book franchise and helmed the novel adaptations of "The Hunger Games," starring Jennifer Lawrence as the rebel heroine in a fascist dystopia.

Kathleen Kennedy

Kathleen Kennedy has produced some of the most popular movies of all time, having teamed with Steven Spielberg and helmed Lucasfilm. One of her first production credits was for "E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial." Kennedy's earlier hits were "Jurassic Park" and "The Sixth Sense," and since 2000, such blockbusters as "War of the Worlds" and the "Star Wars" films. She's also produced several equine-centered films including "War Horse," "Seabiscuit," and "The Young Black Stallion."

Charles D. King

Since working as executive producer for 2016's "Fences," Charles D. King has produced such films as "Mudbound," "Sorry to Bother You," "Just Mercy," and "Harriet." He founded Macro, a company that centers on producing stories by and about people of color. King also produced "Judas and the Black Messiah," the first Best Picture Oscar nominee with an all-Black team of producers.

Laurie MacDonald

As a producer with both Dreamworks and Amblin Entertainment until 2008, Laurie MacDonald helmed acclaimed films such as "Gladiator" and "Minority Report." She also produced the blockbuster "Men in Black" franchise as well as popular horror films like "The Ring," "The Ring Two," and "Rings." MacDonald is also known for award-winning, acclaimed films such as 2020's "The Trial of the Chicago 7" and the 2018 documentary "Free Solo."

Frank Marshall

Frank Marshall has a storied career as a producer, with early credits including the Indiana Jones picture, "Raiders of the Lost Ark," and "Poltergeist." Marshall, who is the husband to producer Kathleen Kennedy (who also makes this list), often partners with Steven Spielberg. Since the 2000s, Marshall has acted as executive producer for the "Jason Bourne" franchise, and produced the latest "Jurassic Park" franchise films, "Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom" and 2022's "Jurassic World Dominion."

Producer Adam McKay received a Best Movie Oscar nomination for Netflix's 2021 star-studded satire "Don't Look Up," starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Lawrence, Cate Blanchett, and Meryl Streep, among other powerhouses. McKay got his start as a producer with the comedy "Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby," and went on to produce comedies like "Step Brothers," "Anchorman II" and "Bachelorette."

Mary Parent

Mary Parent produced two of the most popular films of 2021 including the award-winning "Dune" and the box office hit "Godzilla vs. Kong." Parent has produced the "Godzilla" reboots since 2014 and has also shepherded popular children's films such as 2015's "SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water" and "Detective Pikachu." Her first producer credit came with the 1996 heist drama "Set It Off."

Tyler Perry

Starting with 2005's "Diary of a Mad Black Woman," most of Tyler Perry's highly popular films center on the recurring character Madea, inspired by both Perry's mother and aunt. He also writes, directs, and stars in the films he produces, often playing multiple roles. Perry's films are strong box office draws, despite being panned by critics. Perry, who produced 2009's critically acclaimed drama "Precious," opened his own production company, Tyler Perry Studios, in 2019.

Martin Scorsese

Director Martin Scorsese occasionally produces films he directs such as "The Aviator," "Shutter Island," and "The Wolf of Wall Street," each starring Leonardo DiCaprio, and 2019's "The Irishman." The acclaimed director often acts as executive producer for independent projects such as 2018's "Diane," starring Mary Kay Place in a carefully observed drama, and director Joanna Hogg's arty films, "The Souvenir" and "The Souvenir: Part II."

Stacey Sher

Stacey Sher often works with auteur directors, including Quentin Tarantino on films such as 1994's "Pulp Fiction," "Django Unchained," and "The Hateful Eight." Sher also produced the Steven Soderbergh-directed dramas "Out of Sight," "Erin Brockovich," and the pandemic drama "Contagion."

Jenno Topping

Jenno Topping is best known for producing the acclaimed award winners "Hidden Figures" and "Ford v Ferrari." She also produced "The Greatest Showman" and several films in the "Planet of the Apes" reboot. She got her start with the two "Charlie's Angels" films in the early 2000s, and also worked on romance dramas "Country Strong," "Catch and Release," and "The Mountain Between Us."

Guillermo del Toro

Director Guillermo del Toro also writes and produces films with a distinctive, often surreal and expressionist visual style. He recently directed and produced 2021's "Nightmare Alley" and is also known for producing horror films such as "Pan's Labyrinth" and "Crimson Peak," as well as the stylish noir fantasy "The Shape of Water," which claimed 2018's Best Picture title at the Academy Awards.

Christine Vachon

Christine Vachon is the producer behind independent films with strong female characters and themes around gender identity such as "Boys Don't Cry," "Carol," and "Hedwig and the Angry Inch." She also produced director Todd Haynes' films "I'm Not There" and "Far From Heaven." Recently she produced the gripping and innovative drama "First Reformed."

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20 Greatest Film Producers of All Time: A Comprehensive List

Are you a film enthusiast looking for the best movies to watch? Or maybe you’re an aspiring filmmaker who wants to learn from the masters of the craft.

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the greatest film producers of all time, their contributions to cinema, and what made them stand out from the rest.

Table of Contents

Introduction

Producers are the ones who bring a movie to life, from financing and casting to overseeing the whole production process and marketing the final product. They are the unsung heroes of cinema, working behind the scenes to make magic happen on the big screen.

The Role of Film Producers

Before we delve into the list of the greatest film producers of all time, let us first understand the role they play in the filmmaking process.

A film producer is responsible for overseeing the entire production process, from the development of the script to the final edit. They are also responsible for hiring the cast and crew, securing funding, and making sure that the film is completed on time and within budget.

Without the guidance of a skilled producer, even the most talented directors and actors would be unable to bring their vision to life on the silver screen.

A great producer not only understands the creative process but also has the business acumen to manage the financial and logistical aspects of filmmaking.

What Does The Greatest Film Producers of All Time Mean?

Let’s begin by defining what we mean by “great.” In the context of film production, a great producer is one who has made a significant impact on the industry through their work. This can be through creating critically acclaimed films, making box office hits, or pushing the boundaries of what is possible in filmmaking.

So, without further ado, let’s take a look at some of the greatest film producers of all time.

The Greatest Film Producers of All Time

Here are the greatest film producers of all time who have left an indelible mark on the film industry, in no particular order:

David O. Selznick

Some of Selznick’s other notable films include “ Rebecca ,” “ Spellbound ,” and “ Duel in the Sun .” He was also instrumental in bringing Alfred Hitchcock to the United States, where he would go on to become one of the greatest filmmakers in history.

Irving Thalberg

Irving Thalberg is often referred to as the “ boy wonder ” of Hollywood. He began his career in the film industry at the age of 17 and quickly rose through the ranks to become one of the most influential producers of his time. Thalberg was known for his ability to find and develop talent and for his commitment to creating films with high production values.

Some of Thalberg’s notable films include “ Grand Hotel ,” “ Mutiny on the Bounty ,” and “ The Good Earth .” He was also instrumental in creating MGM, which would go on to become one of the most powerful studios in Hollywood.

Samuel Goldwyn

Samuel Goldwyn was one of the most successful independent producers of the post-war era. He began his career in the film industry in the silent era and went on to produce some of the most iconic films of the Golden Age of Hollywood. But it was in the post-war era that Goldwyn truly shone.

Some of Goldwyn’s notable post-war films include “ The Best Years of Our Lives ,” “ The Bishop’s Wife ,” and “ Guys and Dolls .” Goldwyn was known for his attention to detail and his commitment to creating films with high production values.

Francis Ford Coppola

Some of Coppola’s other notable films include “ Apocalypse Now ,” “ The Conversation ,” and “ Bram Stoker’s Dracula .” He was also instrumental in creating the American Zoetrope Studio, which helped to launch the careers of many young filmmakers.

Robert Evans

Robert Evans began his career as an actor but soon transitioned to producing. He was known for his sharp instincts and his ability to identify projects that had the potential to be successful. Evans was instrumental in the success of some of the most iconic films of the New Hollywood era .

Kathleen Kennedy

Kathleen Kennedy is one of the most successful film producers working today. She began her career as an assistant to Steven Spielberg and has gone on to produce some of the most successful and critically acclaimed films of the modern era.

Kennedy is known for her ability to identify projects that have the potential to be successful and for her commitment to creating films with high production values.

Some of Kennedy’s notable films include the “ Star Wars ” sequel trilogy, “ E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial ,” and “ Jurassic Park .” She is also the president of Lucasfilm, where she has overseen the production of the “Star Wars” films.

Kevin Feige

Kevin Feige is the president of Marvel Studios and is known for his role in creating the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Feige has been instrumental in bringing some of the most iconic superheroes to the big screen and has created a shared universe that has captivated audiences around the world.

Some of Feige’s notable films include “ The Avengers ,” “ Black Panther ,” and “ Guardians of the Galaxy .” He is also known for his attention to detail and his commitment to creating films that are true to the spirit of the comics.

Scott Rudin

He has won numerous awards for his work, including an Academy Award for “ No Country for Old Men .” Rudin is known for his ability to attract top talent to his projects, as well as his willingness to take risks on unconventional films.

Jerry Bruckheimer

Jerry Bruckheimer is one of the most successful film producers of all time, having produced some of the biggest hits in Hollywood history.

Dino De Laurentiis

Dino De Laurentiis was one of the most influential film producers of the 20th century, having produced over 500 films in his career.

He is known for his work on classic films such as “ La Strada ” and “ Serpico ,” as well as more recent hits like “Hannibal” and “ Red Dragon .” De Laurentiis was a pioneer in the film industry, helping to bring European cinema to a wider audience.

Joel and Ethan Coen

They have produced some of the most beloved films of the past few decades, including “ Fargo ,” “ The Big Lebowski ,” and “ No Country for Old Men .” The Coen brothers are a testament to the power of collaboration, as their combined talents have produced some of the most memorable films of all time.

James Cameron

James Cameron is one of the most innovative filmmakers of all time, known for his groundbreaking use of technology and his ability to create immersive worlds onscreen.

Brian Grazer

Brian Grazer is one of the most successful film producers of all time, having produced dozens of hit films over the course of his career.

He has won multiple Academy Awards for his work, including “A Beautiful Mind” and “Apollo 13.” Grazer is known for his ability to bring together talented filmmakers and actors, as well as his willingness to take risks on unconventional projects.

Laura Ziskin

She was responsible for producing the “ Spider-Man ” franchise, as well as classic films like “ Pretty Woman ” and “ As Good as It Gets .” Ziskin was a trailblazer in the film industry, paving the way for other women to succeed in what was traditionally a male-dominated field.

Joel Silver

Joel Silver is one of the most successful producers in the action movie genre. He has produced some of the most iconic movies of the 1980s and 1990s, including “ Die Hard “, “ Lethal Weapon “, and “ The Matrix “. Silver is known for his ability to create high-concept movies that are both thrilling and entertaining.

Graham King

King is known for his ability to identify and develop movies with strong artistic merit and for his commitment to working with some of the most talented directors and actors in the industry.

Lawrence Bender

Lawrence Bender is a producer who has worked on some of the most iconic films of the last few decades. He has produced movies such as “ Pulp Fiction “, “ Good Will Hunting “, and “ An Inconvenient Truth “, which have all had a lasting impact on popular culture.

Albert R. Broccoli

Albert R. Broccoli , also known as Cubby Broccoli, was a film producer who is best known for producing the James Bond franchise.

He co-founded EON Productions with Harry Saltzman and produced 17 Bond films , starting with “ Dr. No ” in 1962.

David Heyman

David Heyman is a film producer who is best known for producing the “Harry Potter” film series, based on the books by J.K. Rowling.

Heyman also produced other acclaimed films, such as “ Gravity ” and “ Marriage Story .” He is known for his close collaboration with directors and screenwriters, his passion for literary adaptations, and his ability to create immersive and authentic worlds on the screen.

George Lucas

He is a visionary who has pushed the boundaries of filmmaking and has inspired countless filmmakers around the world. He has also produced other successful films, including the “ Indiana Jones ” series and “ American Graffiti .”

The film industry has seen the rise of many great film producers over the years, from the early days of Hollywood to the modern era.

From Francis Ford Coppola to Kathleen Kennedy, the greatest film producers of all time share a deep passion for storytelling and a commitment to creating films that resonate with audiences around the world. Their contributions to the industry will be felt for generations to come.

So the next time you sit down to watch a great film, take a moment to appreciate the hard work and dedication of the film producers who helped to bring it to life.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is considered the greatest film producer of all time, what makes a great film producer.

A great film producer is someone who has a keen eye for talent, a strong sense of storytelling, and the ability to manage a film’s budget and production schedule. They also need to be able to work collaboratively with writers, directors, and actors to create a cohesive vision for the film.

How do film producers contribute to the success of a film?

Film producers are responsible for overseeing all aspects of a film’s production, from pre-production through post-production. They help to secure financing, hire the cast and crew, and manage the film’s budget and schedule. They also work with the director to ensure that the film stays true to their vision.

What are some challenges that film producers face?

How has technology changed the role of film producers.

Technology has had a significant impact on the film industry, and film producers have had to adapt to these changes. New technologies have made it easier to create films with high production values, and digital distribution has made it possible to reach audiences around the world.

What qualities do the greatest film producers of all time share?

The greatest film producers of all time share a strong sense of storytelling, a deep understanding of the film industry, and a commitment to creating films that are both commercially successful and critically acclaimed. They are also able to work collaboratively with writers, directors, and actors to bring their vision to life.

TOP 15 BEST FILM PRODUCERS/DIRECTORS

1. Michael Mann

2. James Cameron

3. Steven Spielberg

4. Spike Lee

5. Tony Scott

6. John Singleton

7. Richard Donner

8. Quentin Tarantino

9. George Lucas

10. Martin Scorsese

11. Jerry Bruckheimer

• Music Department

12. Jim Henson

13. Oliver Stone

14. John McTiernan

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The 30 most powerful film producers in hollywood.

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Producers Illo - H 2015

Michael Bay, Brad Fuller and Andrew Form

With a combination of big-budget, high-testosterone movies ( Transformers , which Bay, 50, produces with Lorenzo Di Bonaventura ) and low-budget genre hits ( The Texas Chainsaw Massacre , The Purge ), Bay and his longtime partners have become a moviemaking machine. They rarely are in one place at the same time: Bay operates out of both L.A. and his home base in Miami (where he stays in touch with the team via a digital command center), while Fuller, 49, and Form, 46, stick to Santa Monica (that's when they're not traveling for their various TV series, such as Black Sails and The Last Ship ). They've recently launched another Paramount franchise, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles , which earned $485 million globally in 2014, along with new ventures in the microbudget world that they stepped into just a few years ago when they realized the mid-budget horror genre was dead. After three releases in 2014, they're working on sequels to Ouija and Purge and a reboot of Friday the 13th . " 'No' is never the answer, no matter what," says Form. "There's always a way to get something done."

Tim Bevan & Eric Fellner

In their dry, low-key British way, Bevan , 57, and Fellner , 55, have managed to make some of the most original and arresting films of the past 30 years — from 1985's My Beautiful Laundrette to 2012's Les Miserables to last year's The Theory of Everything . They've done it by investing in often-unlikely material like Theory , about British physicist Stephen Hawking and his battle with ALS, which won Eddie Redmayne a best actor Oscar. Those films helped boost the careers of directors Stephen Frears , Tom Hooper and James Marsh , and the company remains unusually auteur-friendly . "Working so far from Hollywood allows us to protect our directors," says the London-based Fellner , who, with Bevan , has had a first-look deal with Universal since 1999. Among the producers' upcoming movies are a few that might add to their nearly $6 billion in box office and 71 Oscar nominations, including the Coen brothers' Hail, Caesar! ; Sofia Coppola 's live-action The Little Mermaid ; and, hopefully, the latest in the Bridget Jones saga, Bridget Jones's Baby . Says Fellner , "The good producers are the ones who bite into a bone and won't let go."

In 2000, Blum, 46, moved from New York to L.A. and went from being a razzle-dazzle Miramax exec to a guy schlepping scripts in his crummy Ford Escort. "It was a huge wake-up call," he says. "I went from being at the top of everyone's phone sheet to the bottom. It was one of the toughest times in my life." Now he's riding high, having built a microbudget film empire that kicked off with 2007's Paranormal Activity . Since the $15,000 horror film earned $193 million worldwide, he has birthed such horror franchises as The Purge , Sinister and Insidious . Now he's branching out. He struck a 10-year, multiplatform deal with Universal in 2014; produced the Oscar best picture nominee Whiplash ; and was a key player on HBO's much-discussed documentary series The Jinx . Still, he says, scary movies always will be at the core of Blumhouse , which has more than a dozen films primed for release in the next year alone, including Insidious: Chapter 3 , Sinister 2 and Jem and the Holograms . "It's a lot easier to hear your own voice when you've had success," he says.

Jerry Bruckheimer

Bruckheimer , 71, has ruled the Hollywood roost as the most prolific and successful producer of the past 20 years (with a thriving TV business to accompany his film empire). Having begun his career partnered with the late Don Simpson , he has endured the occasional setback, most recently when Disney severed its longtime deal with him following the disappointments of 2010's Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time and 2013's The Lone Ranger . "I wanted to make more of a variety of movies," he says, arguing that the split was his decision (rather than the studio's), partly to make R-rated movies for mature audiences. "We did Armageddon , Pearl Harbor , Pirates of the Caribbean , and they all balance themselves out," he says. It's the Pirates franchise that's now most important for Disney, and Bruckheimer is in production on the fifth, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales , with a possible sixth in the offing "if Johnny [Depp] wants to do it." His new home is Paramount, and his three-year deal returns him to the studio where his producing career began with Flashdance and Top Gun (a sequel is being developed). "I had a lot of good luck there," he says, "and I hope it will continue."

Dana Brunetti

His contemporary dramas such as The Social Network ($225 million worldwide) and Captain Phillips ($219 million worldwide) have been wildly profitable while also scoring best picture nominations, but Brunetti , 41, laments that he still faces resistance whenever he and Trigger Street partner Kevin Spacey pitch projects in a similar vein. "All the studios want to make now is tentpoles ," he says. When it comes to boundary-pushing adult fare, he has found a more receptive buyer in Netflix, which has renewed the Emmy-winning House of Cards for a fourth season. But he can't really complain now that he's found a franchise of his own: The $568 million-grossing Fifty Shades of Grey (which he produced without Spacey ). His takeaway: "Find great material that you can be passionate about because producing is like pushing f— ing rocks uphill."

Peter Chernin

Together, they typically produce at least two films and as many as four a year for his Fox-based company. (As the former president and COO of News Corp., Chernin had a golden parachute of an exit deal that guaranteed two release slots a year with the studio.) Still, says Chernin , 63, the challenges he faces aren't "any different from when I was running the studio 20 years ago: to corral all the elements — the star, the director — within the budget." Those can range from $43 million for female comedy The Heat to the $140 million spent on the epic Exodus: Gods and Kings . Says Topping, 46, "I feel like the middle has really dropped out, and dramas and thrillers and non-R-rated romantic comedies and all sorts of things that used to exist in that middle zone are much harder to get made." Their prolific pace continues with three releases set for 2016, including Peregrine's Home for Peculiars , with Tim Burton at the helm, and two more in 2017, including an untitled follow-up to their biggest hit, 2014's Dawn of the Planet of the Apes , which grossed $709 million worldwide.

Just when you thought the indefatigable producer (he's made 99 movies and is itching to get to his 100th ) was shifting from film to TV following the whopping success of his NBC series The Blacklist , the laid-back Davis, 60, is about to release three of his most high-profile movies. He got his friend, director David O. Russell , to commit to Joy as his first film after American Hustle  — bringing with him Bradley Cooper , Jennifer Lawrence and Robert De Niro in a true-life story about a single mom who hits it big when her Miracle Mop takes off on QVC. "[Russell's] the greatest talent magnet I've ever met," says Davis. And he's got a new take on Mary Shelley 's antihero in Victor Frankenstein and the long-in-the-works Man From U.N.C.L.E. , which opens in August. The Harvard MBA and businessman — whose investments include a pizza company and a joint venture to develop Fox movies as Broadway shows — works from offices in Brentwood, but his heart is at Fox, where he has had a first-look movie deal for 21 years. His father, Marvin , first brought him there after buying the studio, and he's still following Dad's advice to "dream big and don't be afraid of taking outside risks."

Lorenzo di Bonaventura

Di Bonaventura , 58, is widely known by his first name alone; if someone mentions "Lorenzo," you know exactly who they mean. A longtime Warners executive, he has spent the past decade as Paramount's go-to guy for big action vehicles such as the Transformers and G.I. Joe franchises. The Transformers series alone has generated $3.8 billion at the box office, and he's trying to get Transformers 5 underway, with Bay back in the saddle as director. "We're both pretty straightforward guys who speak bluntly, so we've never had an issue," he says, somewhat improbably. Operating from a vast draftsman's desk that consumes a huge swath of his office, Di Bonaventura is expanding into TV with his television partner Dan McDermott , a former DW and ABC exec, with pilots at Syfy and USA. "The challenge," he says, "is main­taining your family at home and some semblance of life in L.A."

Megan Ellison

You know you've arrived when Scott Rudin starts noticing you. Rudin infamously called the young producer "this bipolar 28-year-old lunatic" in a hacked Sony email, to which Ellison, now 29, responded on Twitter, "I always thought of myself more as eccentric." Eccentrically, she bets her own money (a fortune rumored to be as high as $2 billion), much of it entrusted to her by her father, ex-Oracle CEO Larry Ellison , on specialty films and midrange dramas. She also avoids the press, operates from offices in a house high up in the Hills and regularly communicates with her 82,700 Twitter followers. Yet without her, True Grit , The Master and Foxcatcher never would have been, and she has collected three best picture Oscar noms with Zero Dark Thirty , Her and American Hustle , which together have earned $431 million worldwide. She recently signed a two-picture deal with David O. Russell (now in production on Joy ) and has hired her own marketing czar, David Kaminow , from Sony. Some wonder whether she's flying too close to the sun, but she has tweeted, "I relate deeply to Jack London 's credo. I would rather be ashes than dust."

Kevin Feige

A follow-up to 2012's The Avengers , which grossed $1.5 billion worldwide and became his biggest hit? No sweat. Avengers: Age of Ultron hits theaters May 1. Making a deal with Sony for the right to use Spider-Man in a Marvel movie? Piece of cake. So what's the toughest challenge he has ever faced? For Feige , it was casting 2008's Iron Man , since the company's future rested on his making the right choice. He was convinced that Robert Downey Jr . could be for Marvel what Johnny Depp as Captain Jack Sparrow had become for Disney: the signature face of a giant franchise. But there were lots of raised eyebrows around town because of Downey's past troubles. Feige's intuition proved prescient, though. Ten Marvel movies (seven of which racked up more than $500 million each) and $7.1 billion later, Feige has redefined how Hollywood plots its biggest tentpoles : The current craze for building cinematic universes, in which characters travel from movie to movie, copies the game plan Feige engineered at Marvel. "This was something we could do that none of the other studios could do," says Feige , who went to USC for film before getting his start with an internship at The Donners ' Co., run by Lauren Shuler Donner and Richard Donner . "We believed that our creative impulses would lead to a different type of superhero film," he says.

Wyck Godfrey & Marty Bowen

The Twilight franchise ($3.34 billion worldwide) turned onetime roommates Godfrey and Bowen's Temple Hill Entertainment into one of the top production companies in town — and also gave them a baptism by fire when they had to make five films, with four directors, in 39 months. "That was all I did, every minute of every day," says Godfrey, 46. "It took an attention to detail and a single-mindedness that you're not always [capable of] as a producer." Since that franchise ended in 2012, he and Bowen, 46, have kept their focus on stories for female audiences with 2014's The Fault in Our Stars and another John Green adaptation, Paper Towns , out in July. Other projects with Fox — where the two recently re-upped their first-look deal — include Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials , a follow-up to last year's Maze Runner , and an adaptation of another hot YA book, Marie Lu 's The Young Elites .

Brian Grazer & Ron Howard

Grazer, 63, may no longer send shivers down the spines of terrified Universal executives the way he once did, but he still carries enough weight to get what he wants, time in and time out. Such was the case when Sony floated the idea of attaching former co-chair Amy Pascal as a producer on the upcoming Inferno , the third in Imagine's series of Dan Brown adaptations, with Howard once again behind the camera. "We were six weeks from starting the movie," says Grazer, who has been partnered with Howard, 61, for three decades, winning a best picture Oscar for A Beautiful Mind along the way, "so we didn't need any extra producers." Now he's moving forward with four 2015 releases —  Pele (about the Brazilian soccer great), Rock the Kasbah (a comedy about a rock manager, from director Barry Levinson ), In the Heart of the Sea (a 19th century whaling drama that Howard recently wrapped) and Love the Coopers (a dramedy about a dysfunctional family's reunion). Plus, they're making a big splash in TV, where they have the biggest freshman series in 10 years with Fox's Empire . Admits Grazer, "The volcanic success is surprising."

Grant Heslov & George Clooney

The two longtime buddies — they met in acting class more than 30 years ago — didn't spend much time savoring their best picture Oscar victory for 2012's Argo . The morning after the ceremony, they were off to Europe, where they spent the next five months filming The Monuments Men . Although Clooney, 53, has used their Sony-based production company to investigate politics ( The Ides of March and the upcoming Our Brand Is Crisis , directed by David Gordon Green , which looks at political consultants who hire themselves out to foreign countries), Heslov , 51, says the only rule they follow when looking for material is that "we try to mix it up and just find something we haven't done before." Next up is the financial thriller Money Monster , with Clooney starring and Jodie Foster directing. As for winning that Oscar, Heslov adds: "It felt like winning the lottery. It will never happen again, and that takes all the pressure off."

David Heyman

Just when you'd think Heyman might be resting on his laurels following the success of 2013's Gravity ($716 million worldwide) and January's Paddington ($258 million worldwide), he has embarked on another daunting challenge: bringing J.K. Rowling 's Fantastic Beasts & Where to Find Them to the screen. Few projects matter as much to Warner Bros. — whose Kevin Tsujihara tagged it as a top priority when he was promoted to chairman in 2013 — making Heyman , 53, one of the studio's most important producers, even though he operates from his base in London. He proved he could deliver when he optioned Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (as it then was called) in galleys and ushered along an eight-movie franchise that earned $7.7 billion worldwide at the box office. The son of producers Norma Heyman ( Dangerous Liaisons ) and John Heyman ( The Go-Between ), the onetime gofer for David Lean now is reteaming with Potter co-star Emma Watson on The Queen of the Tearling ; making an adaptation of the controversial Jesus Christ biography Zealot ; and overseeing an adaptation of best-selling novel The Light Between Oceans , with Michael Fassbender as a lighthouse keeper who finds a baby in a shipwrecked lifeboat.

Nina Jacobson

You'd think after surviving four installments of the Hunger Games franchise (the last of which will open in November), anyone would want a rest. But for Jacobson, 49 — a former executive who segued to producing only when she lost her job at Disney in 2006 — the long haul just whetted her appetite for more. She was on the Mockingjay set last summer in Atlanta with Lionsgate's Erik Feig , director Francis Lawrence and screenwriter Peter Craig when "Erik mentioned The Odyssey ," she recounts. "It's that essential story from which so many stories have sprung." And so Jacobson, who signed a three-year deal with Fox 2000 in June, is developing an adaptation of Homer's epic tale, along with a host of other projects, including Where'd You Go , Bernadette (which has Richard Linklater directing Maria Semple 's novel), Crazy Rich Asians (about three rich Chinese families preparing a massive wedding) and a movie version of Donna Tartt 's best-selling novel The Goldfinch (which Jacobson is producing with Brett Ratner ). She admits, "As a producer, any time I'm not in production, it makes me nuts."

Broderick Johnson & Andrew Kosove

By making financial discipline a hallmark of their privately held company, Johnson, 47, and Kosove , 45, who met as undergraduates at Princeton, found an equity partner in FedEx founder Frederick Smith when they opened their doors in 1997. Initially focusing on family fare and midrange thrillers, they hit it big with the 2009 Oscar-contending The Blind Side  — having grossed $309 million worldwide, it's their biggest hit. A long-term deal with Warners guarantees them distribution for the movies they finance. Point Break , a new version of the 1991 surf-noir pic , is due out at Christmas — and with Harrison Ford set to reprise his role in Blade Runner and Ryan Gosling to star, they may even have a franchise in their future.

Simon Kinberg

Having launched his career with his original screenplay for 2005's Mr. & Mrs. Smith , Kinberg , 41, has become the rare A-list writer to transition to an equally hot producing career. He is keeper of Fox's lucrative X-Men universe, citing 2014's X-Men: Days of Future Past (his highest-grossing hit with $748 million worldwide) as his biggest producing challenge. "It was a very ambitious swing to get two casts [ X-Men and X-Men: First Class ] together to do a time-travel movie that was really complicated," he says. He still writes ( Fantastic Four , opening Aug. 7, which he produced as well) and also will wear both producing and writing hats on a 2018 untitled Star Wars stand-alone film. Hollywood's reliance on sequels, remakes and reboots doesn't mean originality is dead, he insists: "So many of my favorite films, whether it's The Godfather: Part II or Empire Strikes Back or Terminator 2 , were either sequels or based on other material. The challenge is keeping these films fresh and unique and their own experience and their own event."

Lee, 46, has a secret source for material: his two daughters, Claire, 11, and Lane, 9. They pitched him the idea for three of his upcoming movies —  Minecraft , Five Nights at Freddy's and Adventure Time  — though they weren't behind his biggest hit, 2014's The Lego Movie (produced with Dan Lin ). That has set a high bar for the film's sequels, which he currently has in development, but his biggest challenge yet might be the film adaptation of his favorite novel, Stephen King 's 1,152-page horror/fantasy novel The Stand , which has gone through various writers and proposed incarnations. Now the Warners film is being designed as a two-parter , with Josh Boone writing the current draft. "I just know if we do it right, we will have the next Lord of the Rings , set in contemporary America," says Lee, whose production pact at Warners runs through 2016.

John Lesher

As a former agent with one of the best director rosters in the business, Lesher , 48, is a filmmaker-centric producer. And that paid off when former client Alejandro G. Inarritu ’s Birdman made its triumphant run for Oscar glory (it also grossed $102 million worldwide on an $18 million budget). Lesher , who served a stint as a top Paramount exec, notes that with so much other media competing for viewers’ time, "you have to make the experience of watching a film in the cinema something unique and special." Next up, he has Scott Cooper ’s Black Mass , starring Johnny Depp as convicted mobster Whitey Bulger .

Lin, 41, learned early on how unpredictable a producer’s life can be. After eight years as a Warner Bros. exec — while still an MBA student at Harvard, he interned for Lorenzo Di Bonaventura , whom he regards as a mentor — he was preparing to move his family to Australia to produce his first film, a Justice League movie with George Miller directing, when the Writers Guild went on strike and the movie shut down. "I learned that as a producer you have to be really flexible," says Lin. He went on to projects like Warners’ Sherlock Holmes franchise but really struck it big with last year’s The Lego Movie (which he produced with Roy Lee ). His first foray into animation, the megahit grossed $469 million worldwide. While he still juggles live action (an adaptation of Stephen King ’s It , directed by Cary Fukunaga , is in the works), he’s got two Lego spinoffs (one with Batman) and a sequel in the pipeline. Plus, he now oversees an office complex called Bricksburg in Hollywood whose tenants include Lego movie directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller . Says Lin, "My No. 1 priority as a producer is to create an environment at Bricksburg where artists and creators are willing and able to innovate."

Todd Lieberman & David Hoberman

When Hoberman , 62, left his job as president of Disney’s movie division in 1995, nobody thought the ebullient exec would go on to become one of the studio’s most important producers. Since then, he and Lieberman, 42, who rose up through the international side of the business at Hyde Park and Summit before joining Mandeville in 1999, have overseen one of the most eclectic slates around, with movies ranging from David O. Russell ’s The Fighter to the romantic comedy The Proposal to the Muppets franchise. Their pictures have earned more than $1 billion worldwide, and now Disney is counting on them for its high-profile live-action Beauty and the Beast , which stars Emma Watson and opens in March 2017. "What we came up with years ago was: 'It would be great to tell that story from the Beast’s perspective,' but it evolved into, 'Let’s tell it the classic way,' " says Lieberman. Not surprisingly, studio chairman Alan Horn recently re-upped their firstlook deal for another three years. Says Hoberman , "It has to be one of the longest-running deals of all time."

Frank Marshall

Marshall, 68, mastered the franchise game even before franchises became king: His blue-chip résumé includes the Indiana Jones movies — his biggest is 2008’s Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull with $787 million worldwide — and on June 12, Jurassic World will be open for business. But, he says, "It’s very difficult now to develop stories that aren’t big blockbusters or franchises like we used to be able to do." Case in point, his film Miracle on the Hudson about pilot Chesley  "Sully"  Sullenberger , who landed a distressed airplane full of passengers on the Hudson River. "I have an uplifting story, but it may not be dark enough. I’ve taken it all around town. I’m now looking in the independent world," he says of the Todd Komarnicki -penned script. "The darker stories seem to get the traction." In the meantime, he’s reuniting with his old pal Steven Spielberg on The BFG and is about to start a fifth Bourne outing, reteaming Matt Damon and Paul Greengrass .

Neal Moritz

Over Thanksgiving weekend 2013, Moritz, 55, and his family were at the Blackberry Farm resort in Tennessee when he was plunged into the crisis that followed the death of his Furious 7 star Paul Walker . "I’ve made over 50 movies, and if I took all those challenges of all those movies together, this was a bigger challenge than all of those combined," he says. "Not only a financial and a personal and emotional challenge for everybody; the real challenge was that we didn’t tarnish Paul’s legacy." The proof of Moritz’s success came when Universal’s Furious 7 opened April 3 — at press time, it had grossed $1 billion worldwide. Now Moritz (whose Sony-based company has made movies like 21 Jump Street ) is moving forward with other projects, including Goosebumps , based on the R.L. Stine kids’ horror book series, which opens in October; and Passengers , a sci-fi love story starring Chris Pratt and Jennifer Lawrence .

Brad Pitt, Dede Gardner & Jeremy Kleiner

Having survived a heated battle with Paramount over Plan B’s ultimately successful World War Z , the picky production company founded by Pitt (and at one time run as a co-venture with his then-wife Jennifer Aniston ), now is aligned with New Regency and RatPac . Running one of the most daring outfits around, Pitt, 51, Gardner, 47, and recently promoted partner Kleiner , 38, not only saw their 12 Years a Slave win the best picture Oscar in 2014, but then also managed the near impossible by bringing Selma to the screen despite having zero cooperation from the Martin Luther King Jr . estate. " Selma is a celebration of incredible people going beyond what they thought possible," says Kleiner , who might be describing Plan B’s own business plan as it preps such films as a World War Z sequel, to be directed by Juan Antonio Bayona , among other projects.

It looked bleak when Platt lost his job as president of production at Universal Pictures in 1998. But since then, he’s soared with movies as various as the Legally Blonde franchise and last year’s musical Into the Woods , which collected $204 million worldwide. Platt, 58, also has made a mark on Broadway, with another mammoth musical, Wicked . And this year might be his most ambitious yet. He’s in post with the Meryl Streep starrer Ricki and the Flash and has the Steven Spielberg Cold War drama Bridge of Spies , starring Tom Hanks , hitting theaters in October. He also is about to begin production on Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk , Ang Lee ’s first film since the global smash Life of Pi . He notes simply, "It’s been an interesting year."

"In the 40 years I’ve been [in the business], there’s never been more than 10 people at any given time who can put a movie together who have the taste for material, getting the right director and cast, knowing what budget makes sense," says Roth, 66. He doesn’t count himself in that number, but he doesn’t have to. Whether as an exec at Fox or Disney, as head of his own Revolution Studios (from 2000 to 2007) or now as a truly independent producer (with projects in the works at Disney, Universal and Sony), he’s figured out the formula. His hits have ranged from the $12 million faith-based breakout Heaven Is for Real , which grossed $101 million worldwide, to Disney’s epic fantasy Alice in Wonderland , which passed the $1 billion mark. Most recently, he helped Paula Weinstein and Brian Grazer assemble Ron Howard ’s In the Heart of the Sea . He’s got an Alice sequel coming in May 2016, and he’s about to start shooting The Huntsman , a prequel of sorts to 2012’s Snow White and the Huntsman .

Charles Roven

Every evening, Roven’s office sends him what he calls his night sheet, a to-do list that’s critical to his overseeing projects that can be taking place simultaneously in wildly scattered time zones. "I print it out and carry it with me," he says. "It’s got many more things on it than I can ever accomplish in one day, but at least it gives me something to attack." At the moment, Roven , 65 — who was part of Christopher Nolan ’s $2.5 billion-grossing Batman trilogy and David O. Russell ’s Oscar-winning American Hustle — is keeping tabs on Warcraft and Batman v. Superman , both in postproduction ; Zhang Yimou ’s The Great Wall , starring Matt Damon and filming in China; and Warners’ supervillain showdown Suicide Squad , which just began shooting in Toronto. "On the first day, I always try to make sure I’m there for the very first setup," he says, though he freely acknowledges he couldn’t oversee so many major movies "without an incredibly supportive team of producing partners."

Scott Rudin

Rudin’s biggest hit, the Mel Gibson thriller Ransom ($309 million worldwide), was released back in 1996, but grosses tell only part of the story. His keen eye for provocative material has resulted in one best picture Oscar, for the Coen brothers’ 2007 No Country for Old Men , and six other noms , most recently for Wes Anderson ’s The Grand Budapest Hotel . "He is absolutely ruthless, but in a good way," says Dana Brunetti , who produced The Social Network and Captain Phillips with Rudin , 56. Having weathered the embarrassing leak of his characteristically blunt email exchanges with former Sony co-chair Amy Pascal , he’s got a typically hyperactive release slate ahead that includes Cameron Crowe ’s Aloha on May 29 and Danny Boyle ’s Steve Jobs biopic in October.

Scott Stuber

A decade after Stuber , 46, stepped down as co-chairman of Universal Pictures — and seven years since he and partner Mary Parent went their separate ways — he remains a staple of Universal’s movie division, responsible for several of its hits ( Identity Thief , Ted and Safe House ) and several disappointments ( Battleship and A Million Ways to Die in the West ). His reputation for eclecticism can be seen in his upcoming projects — the Boston Marathon drama Patriot’s Day , starring Mark Wahlberg ; CIA comedy Central Intelligence , with Dwayne Johnson and Kevin Hart ; Gary Ross ’ Civil War drama The Free State of Jones ; and Universal’s much-anticipated Ted 2 , a follow-up to the midbudget comedy that made $549 million worldwide. Says the married father of two: "You’ve only got your gut and your beliefs. If you come from that place, then at least the journey was authentic."

Doug Wick & Lucy Fisher

One of the few married couples who jointly produce movies, Wick, 60, and Fisher, 65, have been professionally partnered since 2001, when the latter stepped down from her post as vice chairman of Columbia TriStar Pictures. Since then, they’ve been a formidable pair — conjuring films as varied as Jarhead and Memoirs of a Geisha . Their ability to combine people skills with production know-how has saved movies teetering on the brink of collapse — like Baz Luhrmann ’s The Great Gatsby , which they were able to move from Sony to Warners . Having three daughters also has helped them connect with the YA world, leading to their Divergent series — the second installment, Insurgent , has grossed $251 million worldwide. They’re developing several other female-centric films, including Matriarch and The Yonahlossee Riding Camp for Girls . They’ve seen it all, right down to a stressed-out cat that couldn’t perform its scene in Stuart Little . Recalls Fisher, "Doug said, 'I don’t know what else could go wrong.' "

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Film Producer – Everything You Need to Know

Who is a film producer.

A film producer is responsible for finding and launching projects, arranging finance, hiring writers, a director , and a creative team, and supervising all pre-production , production, and post-production events until film release. Film Producers are the first to get involved in spotting the creative and commercial opportunities of production and continuing as a driving force till distribution.

It is common for film productions or TV shows to have many producers. While some producers hold the title in name, others work on the sets actively by managing production logistics, in close collaboration with the director from start to end. The primary responsibilities of a film producer are managing the smooth running of production and completion of film on time and within budget. This requires a broad set of skills.

The Producers Guild of America is Hollywood’s principal professional organization of producers.

Film Producer

Types of Film Producers

Film production includes a range of roles, and in some cases, one person does everything. In most cases, the roles are divided and shared between different people. The common types of film producers are:

Executive Producers

They contribute a substantial amount of money to a project and earn top credit in the film. They can also acquire additional financing and manage accounting and legal issues.

Job Description

• Overseeing other producers
• Organize the goals of the project
• Managing recruitment of artists
• Budget, schedule, standard management

They work on sets actively, supervising production logistics from start to end by collaborating with the director. A producer can be a writer or director in films or TV shows.

• Source development, script writing , quality control
• Fundraising and budget management
• Recruitment and making decisions in casting
• Overseeing and guiding teams and other producers

Line Producers

Taskmasters of a film are line producers. They ensure staying on time and within budget. Their responsibility is to break down the script , create line items in a budget, plan a production timeline, coordinate the schedules and activities of several departments, and handle human resources. The difference between unit production and line producer is that unit production is not involved in creating decisions. They execute the logistics reported by line producers.

• Assisting executive producers
• Overseeing unit production manager
• Supervising the physical production process
• Creating and tracking budgets and schedules
• Hiring executive producers

Creative Producers

They work on artistic matters closely with the director. Their role is to hire talented artists, oversee script revisions, communicate director notes, and organize a united style and approach between various departments.

Showrunners

These television producers have a creative vision for a series and have authority and responsibility for the various directors hired for specific episodes.

Co-producers

They help with fundraising, supervise a specific production area, or share responsibilities with a lead producer. Their role is the same as that of the producers. They work along with producers and supervise the complete production process.

• Overseeing the project
• Supervising production stages
• Add value to the projects through equipment, finances, services, attachment, or other benefits

Impact Producers

These engagement strategists are producers of marketing and distribution. They focus on advertising, pulling press and media coverage, and getting a distributor to advertise a film to as many audiences as possible.

Field Producers

In films, a field producer helps the producer in production at a non-studio location. In TV, a video producer works remotely to support producing a particular piece of the overall production.

Supervising Producers

They specifically manage the creative development of the project. First, they are involved in transforming an idea into a spec script by writing and re-writing the screenplay . Then, they develop an idea into a shooting script for everyone to work efficiently . An executive producer or a supervising producer takes responsibility for the screenplay development process or supervising other producers.

• Script development
• Overseeing creative process
• Supervising other producers
• Assisting the executive producer

Coordinating Producers

Coordinating producers are two or more producers working separately on a project. They focus on the end goal and ensure everything is working out towards the goal.

• Coordinating the work of other producers
• Assisting producers or production teams
• Supervise the production process
• Make sure of the united result of the production

Associate Producers

An associate producer is an assistant producer to the executive producer or other producers. They are directly involved in the production by coordinating location scouting, organizing personnel, set construction, or supervising script work.

• Direct assistance
• Assistance in selecting shots, preparing the script, and guiding the content
• Contribution to the production
• Other duties

Consulting Producers

They provide advice on production and contribute through experience. For example, consulting producers are often former executives or co-producers on a TV show, assisting writers and TV producers with their expertise. Their role includes quality control, alignment checks, and consistency.

• Advising the production through expertise
• Contribution to writing and shooting scripts
• Assistance in TV production
• Assuring the tone and feel of production or a TV show

Segment Producers

They are TV producers for reality show, talk show, or late-night show that has many segments produced regularly. They supervise the production of one or more individual parts.

Job description

• Overseeing production
• Supervising or assisting other producers
• Quality control and consistency
• Make sure that segments fit together smoothly

They work outside the studio or supervise production on location. Their work includes portions for a TV show or outdoor scenes for a film.

• Overseeing field production
• Assisting executive producers on location
• Supervise segments outside the studio
• Quality control

What Does a Producer Actually Do?

Responsibilities of a Film Producer

A film producer involves in starting, organizing, overseeing, and controlling the production of a film, tv show, online series, or commercial video. A good film producer is responsible to provide the needed resources, logistics, and infrastructure for everyone involved in the project including the creative process and production.

What Does A Film Producer Do?

Responsibilities During Filmmaking

A film producer’s role is to bring leadership and vision to a project and exercise control and authority during production. Their roles include the following:

• Exhibit and manage influential industry contacts
• Working on source material
• Hire a creative team and director
• Organize money
• Make an idea into a film

A good film producer is involved in more than a single project’s development stage. It is the most extended phase, and the film producer is committed from the beginning. The film producer manages everything between departments when the project grows from an idea to a film or show.

A film producer hires a director after working with the source material. Then the film producer organizes a creative team, starts to gain financiers, raises money, and reduces the production risk. Of course, finding a new project precedes the development stage, and producers rely on their relationships and contacts with other production companies, producers, directors, writers, and creative teams. In addition, some film producers are in contact with investors, actors, agents, cinematographers, and costume designers.

Preproduction Responsibilities

The film producer is among the first to start working on a film. During pre-production, the producer of the film works to organize investment and financing in the film. Next, the producer gathers a creative team to help package the pitch to production companies and studios while selling the project. Then the producer with the writers’ team tries to find a director and leading actors. A successful film producer will get approval from any studio or production company or arrange financing from investors for the film or TV show launch.

 Responsibilities During Production

As production starts, a film producer’s responsibilities include,

• Working with the film director to bring about a creative team, including cinematographers, production designers, and casting agents.
• Hiring a line producer to organize a budget and schedule.
• Providing advice and signing off all big creative decisions.
• Managing every logistics and business operation.
• Supervising every aspect of physical products through the production staff.
• Ensuring that the production is on schedule and under budget.

Post-Production Responsibilities

The film producer is responsible for essential marketing plans, such as advertising, public relations, distribution, and release.

With Whom Does a Film Producer Work?

A film producer works with almost everyone. Film producers communicate and lead the whole production team and manage distribution and marketing teams. In addition, they respond to executive producers who oversee the film studio, financiers, or the overall leads on a TV show.

How to Become a Film Producer?

Step: 1 Film producers often gain experience from across the film industry. For example, some film producers start as actors, writers, agents, and directors or gain experience as studio executives. Step: 2 Most film producers have a secondary education, in either film school or business school. However, the best way of education for a film producer is through film production.

Step: 3 Gain experience through some internships at a small studio, radio station, or television network.

Step: 4 Find an entry-level job at a radio station or television network. You can acquire knowledge from experienced, high-level producers.

Step: 5 Keep learning new things about filmmaking. Learn a lot through universities offering continuing education.

Things to Know if You Want to Become a Film Producer

Required Skills for a Film Producer

Principal characteristics needed for a film producer job:

• The love and passion to produce films or TV shows
• Strong project management and organizational skills
• Storytelling skills
• Problem-solving ability
• Creative thinking
• Leadership Skills
• Experience in Business
• Experience in Management
• Experience in Film production
• Numerous contacts
• Persistence
• Assertiveness
• Persuasive Skills
• Composure under stress
• Commercial Awareness

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the following are the requirements for a Film Producer.

Degree: A degree  is not a requirement but a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree will be helpful.

Field: A degree  in any field such as fine arts, writing, acting, journalism, arts management, or other comparable disciplines is considered.

Experience: As bigger products are often given to producers with more experience, internships will be helpful.

Film Producer Interview

Job Opportunities for Film Producers

Currently, job opportunities for film producers are expanding. The Bureau of Labor Statistics records that from 2016 to 2026, the employment of film producers and directors will grow 12 percent, faster than the national average for other professions. The median annual salary of film producers as of May 2019 is $74,420.

Job Description of Film Producers

• They will be purchasing and developing projects. Sometimes film producers settle the rights to projects.
• They will hire and manage fundamental team members such as writers, managers, directors, department heads, staff, and other personnel.
• They should set a budget and obtain funds for the project through investors, studios, or personal funds.
• They supervise the project and make sure it stays on budget.
• Use production management software to make a production schedule.
• Supervise post-production – from editing and music composition to picture lock.
• They will advertise the project and market it by working with a PR team.

Popular Film Producers

James cameron.

James Francis Cameron is a renowned filmmaker of science fiction and epic Hollywood tales. His successful films are Terminator , The Abyss, Aliens , and True Lies . He is known for big-budget productions, Academy Awards, and high-grossing films. In addition, he is committed to deep-sea exploration and environmentalism.

Famous Films:

• Alita: Battle Angel
• Point Break
• Terminator 2: Judgement Day and other titles

James Cameran on set Interview

Kathleen Kennedy

Kathleen Kennedy is the co-founder of the production company Amblin Entertainment and president of Lucasfilm. She is one of Hollywood’s leading producers. She has worked on more than 60 films, including three of the highest-grossing movies and Academy Award nominations.

• Back To The Future trilogy
• Jurassic Park
• The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
• The Rise of Skywalker and other titles of the Star Wars franchise

Kathleen Kennedy on Role of a Producer

Shelton Jackson “Spike” Lee is an award-winning film producer, director, screenwriter , and actor. In 1986, after his directorial debut, he founded 40 Acres and Mule Filmworks, his own production company. His work explores political issues, urban life, and race relations.

• Black Klansman
• Do The Right Thing
• She’s Gotta Have It

Spike Lee on Raising Money For a Money

Steven Spielberg

Steven Allan Spielberg is a famous director, producer, and screenwriter. He became famous with Jaws. He represents New Hollywood, a process of filmmaking in which the director holds a key role. His versatile work on Harrison Ford’s blockbusters won various awards.

• E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
• Indiana Jones franchise
• Saving Private Ryan
• Schindler’s List
• The Color Purple

On-set with Steven Spielberg

Quentin Tarantino

Quentin Jerome Tarantino is a filmmaker, producer, and screenwriter who acts in his movies. His films are pop culture icons, earning commercial success and cult followings. His indie filmmaker career started with Reservoir Dogs and True Romance. Pulp Fiction was a commercial success that established his non-linear storytelling, dialogue, and ensemble casts style. His other hits include Django Unchained and Inglourious Basterds.

• From Dusk Till Dawn
• Killing Zoe
• Once Upon A Time… In Hollywood

Quentin Tarantino on Inglourious Basterds

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Iambic Pentameter- Everything you need to know

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Tyler Perry

Who Is Tyler Perry?

Tyler Perry had a difficult childhood, suffering years of abuse. In 1992 he directed, produced, and starred in the musical I Know I've Been Changed. His 2000 play, I Can Do Bad All by Myself, brought to life the character Madea, who would later headline a string of successful films. Perry has also developed several television shows, including House of Payne , and acted in such films as Alex Cross (2012), Gone Girl (2014) and Vice (2018). In 2019 he announced the opening of the $250 million Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta.

Early Difficulties

Born Emmitt Perry Jr. on September 13, 1969, in New Orleans, Louisiana, Tyler Perry has forged a highly successful path in the entertainment industry. One of four children, he had a difficult childhood, suffering years of abuse at the hands of his carpenter father. He once described his father as a man "whose answer to everything was to beat it out of you." Perry also had problems outside the home, as he later admitted he was sexually abused by four different adults.

At one point, Perry attempted suicide in an effort to escape his difficult situation. At 16, he changed his first name to Tyler to separate himself from his father. Perry dropped out of high school, but he eventually earned his GED. Trying to find his way professionally, he held a series of unfulfilling jobs before discovering his true passion.

Career Beginnings: 'I Know I've Been Changed'

After saving up $12,000, Perry debuted the show — which he directed, produced and starred in — at an Atlanta theater in 1992. The musical's run lasted only one weekend and drew a measly 30 people to see the show.

Disappointed yet determined, Perry continued to work odd jobs while reworking the show. He staged the show in several other cities, but success still eluded him. Broke, Perry was living out of his car for a time. "Can you imagine a six-foot-five man sleeping in a Geo Metro?" he once told Essence magazine.

In 1998, Perry tried one more time to win over theater audiences. He rented out the House of Blues in Atlanta for another production of I Know I've Been Changed . Soon Perry was performing to sellout crowds and the musical was moved to a larger theater. After so many years of hard work, he had finally earned critical acclaim as well as commercial success.

Birth of Madea

For his next project, Perry worked on an adaptation of evangelist T. D. Jakes' book Woman, Thou Art Loosed , which proved to be quite popular. His next effort, however, brought to life his most famous character, Madea. The gun-toting, sharp-tongue grandma first appeared in his 2000 play, I Can Do Bad All by Myself . Basing Madea on his mother and several other mature women in his life, Perry played the eccentric character himself wearing drag. She next appeared in Diary of a Mad Black Woman (2001).

Developing quite a following, Madea featured in a number of plays, including Madea's Family Reunion (2002) and Madea's Class Reunion (2003). Perry toured extensively with his shows. According to his website, 35,000 people a week saw one of his shows in 2005.

Films and TV Shows

'diary of a mad black woman'.

That same year, Perry proved himself to be a box office powerhouse with the release of his debut film, Diary of a Mad Black Woman , starring Kimberly Elise as the scorned wife and Steve Harris as the adulterous husband. Perry appeared as three different characters in the film, including the legendary Madea. Eventually grossing more than $50 million, the film's success showed Hollywood that there was a market for urban African American comedies.

'Madea's Family Reunion,' 'House of Payne'

Perry's plays continued to make a successful leap to the big screen. He took on the leading role in Madea's Family Reunion (2006), a film he also directed and produced which brought in more than $63 million at the box office. Establishing his own studio in Atlanta that year, he launched his first television series, House of Payne , on the TBS network. Starring Cassi Davis and LaVan Davis, this sitcom featured a multigenerational African American family.

'Daddy's Little Girls,' 'Meet the Browns'

Back on the big screen, Perry continued making films about family, morals and overcoming adversity. Daddy's Little Girls starred Idris Elba as a father who fights to regain custody of his three daughters, with help from a lawyer played by Gabrielle Union. In Why Did I Get Married? , Tyler explores the relationships of several married couples. The large cast included singers Jill Scott and Janet Jackson , as well as Perry sans his Madea costume. He then wrote and and directed Meet the Browns (2008), starring Angela Bassett as a single mother who takes her two children to meet her father's family after his death. The project was adapted for a TV sitcom the following year.

'The Family That Preys,' 'I Can Do Bad All By Myself'

Perry's next film release, The Family That Preys (2008), starred Kathy Bates and Alfre Woodward as two longtime friends who try to heal their broken families. In 2009 Perry released the hit film Madea Goes to Jail and also had a small role as Admiral Barnett in Star Trek . That same year, he wrote, directed and appeared as Madea in I Can Do Bad All By Myself , which co-starred Taraji P. Henson .

'Precious,' 'For Colored Girls'

Also in 2009 Perry teamed with Lee Daniels and Winfrey to produce Precious , a drama adapted from the novel Push by Sapphire. The Oscar-nominated film was directed by Daniels and starred Gabourey Sidibe. In 2010 Perry directed a film version of For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow Is Enuf , based on Ntozake Shange's 1975 play.

More Madea: 'Big Happy Family' to 'Family Funeral'

Perry continued to make successful films in the Madea franchise, including Madea's Big Happy Family (2011), M adea's Witness Protection (2012), A Madea Christmas (2014), the animated Madea’s Tough Love and Boo! A Madea Halloween (2016). With the announcement he was retiring the wisecracking grandma, Perry delivered the 11th and final installment of the series in 2019 with A Madea Family Funeral .

'Alex Cross,' 'Gone Girl,' 'The Paynes'

Perry's other credits as an actor include the title role of the crime drama Alex Cross (2012), the romantic dramas Good Deeds (2012) and Temptation: Confessions of a Marriage Counselor (2013) and the comedy drama The Single Moms Club (2014). Additionally, he enjoyed a supporting role in the acclaimed thriller Gone Girl (2014), starring Ben Affleck , and played Baxter Stockman in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows (2016).

Perry also launched several TV series during this period, including Love Thy Neighbor , The Haves and the Have Nots , For Better or Worse, If Loving You Is Wrong and The Paynes .

'Nobody's Fool,' 'Sistas,' 'The Oval'

Returning to directing, Perry helmed the psychological thriller Acrimony and the Tiffany Haddish romantic comedy Nobody's Fool in 2018, while also appearing that year as former Secretary of State Colin Powell in Vice . In 2019 he was set to debut two new shows on BET: Sistas and The Oval .

Tyler Perry Studios

In October 2019 the entertainment mogul announced the grand opening of the $250 million Tyler Perry Studios on the site of a former 330-acre Confederate military base in Atlanta. The studio had already been in use while under construction, with features like Black Panther and series like Walking Dead filmed there.

Adding to his already dynamic career, Perry wrote the 2006 best-selling book, Don't Make a Black Woman Take Off Her Earrings: Madea's Uninhibited Commentaries on Love and Life . The book went on to win two Quill Awards—Book of the Year and Best in Humor.

His second book, Higher Is Waiting (2017), touched more on spiritual issues and the importance of family.

QUICK FACTS

• Birth Year: 1969
• Birth date: September 13, 1969
• Birth State: Louisiana
• Birth City: New Orleans
• Birth Country: United States
• Gender: Male
• Best Known For: Writer, actor, producer and director Tyler Perry has built an entertainment empire that consists of successful films, plays and best-selling books.
• Theater and Dance
• Astrological Sign: Virgo

We strive for accuracy and fairness.If you see something that doesn't look right, contact us !

CITATION INFORMATION

• Article Title: Tyler Perry Biography
• Author: Biography.com Editors
• Website Name: The Biography.com website
• Url: https://www.biography.com/actors/tyler-perry
• Access Date:
• Publisher: A&E; Television Networks
• Last Updated: January 19, 2021
• Original Published Date: April 3, 2014
• If I see more of us own what we produce, and I’m in any way responsible for that, then I feel I would’ve done something.
• Had I focused on the criticism, I wouldn’t own this studio today. I could not have gotten here without Madea.

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Biography of Walt Disney, Animator and Film Producer

Love of drawing, laugh-o-gram films, mickey mouse, sound and color, feature-length cartoons, union strikes, world war ii, more movies, plans for disneyland, disneyland opens, plans for walt disney world, florida.

Walt Disney (born Walter Elias Disney; December 5, 1901–December 15, 1966) was a cartoonist and entrepreneur who developed a multibillion-dollar family entertainment empire. Disney was the renowned creator of Mickey Mouse, the first sound cartoon, the first Technicolor cartoon, and the first feature-length cartoon. In addition to winning 22 Academy Awards in his lifetime, Disney also created the first major theme park: Disneyland in Anaheim, California.

Fast Facts: Walt Disney

• Known For: Disney was a pioneering animator and film producer who won 22 Academy Awards and built one of the largest media empires in the world.
• Born: December 5, 1901 in Chicago, Illinois
• Parents: Elias and Flora Disney
• Died: December 15, 1966 in Burbank, California
• Awards and Honors: 22 Academy Awards, Cecil B. DeMille Award, Hollywood Walk of Fame, Presidential Medal of Freedom, Congressional Gold Medal
• Spouse: Lillian Bounds (m. 1925-1966)
• Children: Diane, Sharon

Walt Disney was born the fourth son of Elias Disney and Flora Disney (née Call) in Chicago, Illinois, on December 5, 1901. By 1903, Elias, a handyman and carpenter, had grown weary of crime in Chicago; thus, he moved his family to a 45-acre farm he purchased in Marceline, Missouri. Elias was a stern man who administered “corrective” beatings to his five children; Flora soothed the children with nightly readings of fairy tales.

After the two eldest sons grew up and left home, Walt Disney and his older brother Roy worked on the farm with their father. In his free time, Disney made up games and sketched the farm animals. In 1909, Elias sold the farm and purchased an established newspaper route in Kansas City, where he moved his remaining family.

It was in Kansas City that Disney developed a love for an amusement park called Electric Park, which featured 100,000 electric lights illuminating a roller coaster, a dime museum, penny arcade, swimming pool, and a colorful fountain light show.

Rising at 3:30 a.m. seven days a week, 8-year-old Walt Disney and brother Roy delivered the newspapers, taking quick naps in alleyways before heading to Benton Grammar School. In school, Disney excelled in reading; his favorite authors were Mark Twain and Charles Dickens.

In art class, Disney surprised his teacher with original sketches of flowers with human hands and faces. After stepping on a nail on his newspaper route, Disney had to spend two weeks in bed recuperating. He spent his time reading and drawing newspaper-style cartoons.

Elias sold the newspaper route in 1917 and bought a partnership in the O-Zell Jelly factory in Chicago, moving Flora and Walt with him (Roy had enlisted in the U.S. Navy). Sixteen-year-old Walt Disney attended McKinley High School, where he became the school newspaper’s junior art editor. To pay for evening art classes at the Chicago Academy of Fine Arts, he washed jars in his father’s jelly factory.

Wanting to join Roy, who was fighting in World War I, Disney tried to join the Army but at age 16 he was too young. Undeterred, he joined the Red Cross’ Ambulance Corps, which took him to France and Germany.

After spending 10 months in Europe, Disney returned to the U.S. In October 1919, he got a job as a commercial artist at the Pressman-Rubin Studio in Kansas City. Disney met and became friends with fellow artist Ub Iwerks at the studio.

When Disney and Iwerks were laid off in January 1920, they formed Iwerks-Disney Commercial Artists. Due to a lack of clients, however, the duo only survived for about a month. After getting jobs at the Kansas City Film Ad Company as cartoonists, Disney and Iwerks began making commercials for movie theaters.

Disney borrowed a camera from the studio and began experimenting with stop-action animation in his garage. He shot footage of his animal drawings using different techniques until the pictures actually “moved” in fast and slow motion. His cartoons (which he called Laugh-O-Grams) eventually became superior to the ones he was working on at the studio; he even figured out a way to merge live action with animation. Disney suggested to his boss that they make cartoons, but his boss flatly turned down the idea, content with making commercials.

In 1922, Disney quit the Kansas City Film Ad Company and opened a studio in Kansas City called Laugh-O-Gram Films. He hired a few employees, including Iwerks, and sold a series of fairy tale cartoons to Pictorial Films in Tennessee.

Disney and his staff began work on six cartoons, each one a seven-minute fairy tale that combined live action and animation. Unfortunately, Pictorial Films went bankrupt in July 1923; as a result, so did Laugh-O-Gram Films.

Next, Disney decided he would try his luck at working in a Hollywood studio as a director and joined his brother Roy in Los Angeles, where Roy was recovering from tuberculosis.

Having no luck getting a job at any of the studios, Disney sent a letter to Margaret J. Winkler, a New York cartoon distributor, to see if she had any interest in distributing his Laugh-O-Grams. After Winkler viewed the cartoons, she and Disney signed a contract.

On October 16, 1923, Disney and Roy rented a room at the back of a real estate office in Hollywood. Roy took on the role of accountant and cameraman of the live action; a little girl was hired to act in the cartoons; two women were hired to ink and paint the celluloid, and Disney wrote the stories and drew and filmed the animation.

By February 1924, Disney had hired his first animator, Rollin Hamilton, and moved into a small storefront with a window bearing the sign “Disney Bros. Studio.” Disney’s "Alice in Cartoonland" reached theaters in June 1924.

In early 1925, Disney moved his growing staff to a one-story, stucco building and renamed his business “Walt Disney Studio.” Disney hired Lillian Bounds, an ink artist, and began dating her. On July 13, 1925, the couple married in her hometown of Spalding, Idaho. Disney was 24; Lillian was 26.

Meanwhile, Margaret Winkler also married, and her new husband, Charles Mintz, took over her cartoon distribution business. In 1927, Mintz asked Disney to rival the popular “Felix the Cat” series. Mintz suggested the name “Oswald the Lucky Rabbit” and Disney created the character and made the series.

In 1928, when costs became increasingly high, Disney and Lillian took a train trip to New York to renegotiate the contract for the popular Oswald series. Mintz countered with even less money than he was currently paying, informing Disney that he owned the rights to Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, and that he had lured most of Disney’s animators to come work for him.

Shocked, shaken, and saddened, Disney boarded the train for the long ride back. In a depressed state, he sketched a character and named him Mortimer Mouse. Lillian suggested the name Mickey Mouse instead.

Back in Los Angeles, Disney copyrighted Mickey Mouse and, along with Iwerks, created new cartoons with Mickey Mouse as the star. Without a distributor, though, Disney could not sell the silent Mickey Mouse cartoons.

In 1928, sound became the latest in film technology. Disney pursued several New York film companies to record his cartoons with this new novelty. He struck a deal with Pat Powers of Cinephone. Disney provided the voice of Mickey Mouse and Powers added sound effects and music.

Powers became the distributor of the cartoons and on November 18, 1928, "Steamboat Willie" opened at the Colon Theater in New York. It was Disney’s (and the world’s) first cartoon with sound. "Steamboat Willie" received rave reviews and audiences everywhere adored Mickey Mouse.

In 1929, Disney began making “Silly Symphonies,” a series of cartoons that included dancing skeletons, the Three Little Pigs, and characters other than Mickey Mouse, including Donald Duck, Goofy, and Pluto.

In 1931, a new film-coloring technique known as Technicolor became the latest in film technology. Until then, everything had been filmed in black and white. To hold off the competition, Disney paid to hold the rights to Technicolor for two years. He filmed a Silly Symphony titled "Flowers and Trees" in Technicolor, showing colorful nature with human faces, and the film won the Academy Award for Best Cartoon of 1932.

On December 18, 1933, Lillian gave birth to Diane Marie Disney, and on December 21, 1936, Lillian and Walt Disney adopted Sharon Mae Disney.

Disney decided to add dramatic storytelling to his cartoons, but making a feature-length cartoon had everyone (including Roy and Lillian) saying it would never work; they believed audiences just wouldn’t sit that long through a dramatic cartoon.

Despite the naysayers, Disney, ever the experimenter, went to work on the feature-length fairy tale "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs." Production of the cartoon cost $1.4 million (a massive sum in 1937) and was soon dubbed “Disney’s Folly.”

When it premiered in theaters on December 21, 1937, though, "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" was a box office sensation. Despite the Great Depression, it earned $416 million.

A notable achievement in cinema, the movie won Disney an Honorary Academy Award. The citation read, "For 'Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,' recognized as a significant screen innovation which has charmed millions and pioneered a great new entertainment field."

After the success of "Snow White," Disney constructed his state-of-the-art Burbank Studio, deemed a worker’s paradise for a staff of about 1,000 workers. The studio, with animation buildings, sound stages, and recording rooms, produced "Pinocchio" (1940), "Fantasia" (1940), "Dumbo" (1941), and "Bambi" (1942).

Unfortunately, these feature-length cartoons lost money worldwide due to the start of World War II. Along with the cost of the new studio, Disney found himself in debt. He offered 600,000 shares of common stock, sold at five dollars apiece. The stock offerings sold out quickly and erased the debt.

Between 1940 and 1941, movie studios began unionizing; it wasn’t long before Disney’s workers wanted to unionize as well. While his workers demanded better pay and working conditions, Disney believed that his company had been infiltrated by communists.

After numerous and heated meetings, strikes, and lengthy negotiations, Disney finally became unionized. However, the whole process left Disney feeling disillusioned and discouraged.

With the union question finally settled, Disney was able to turn his attention back to his cartoons; this time for the U.S. government. The United States had joined World War II after the bombing of Pearl Harbor and it was sending millions of young men overseas to fight.

The U.S. government wanted Disney to produce training films using his popular characters ; Disney obliged, creating more than 400,000 feet of film (about 68 hours).

After the war, Disney returned to his own agenda and made "Song of the South" (1946), a movie that was 30 percent animation and 70 percent live action. "Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah" was named the best movie song of 1946 by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences, while James Baskett, who played the character of Uncle Remus in the movie, won an Oscar.

In 1947, Disney decided to make a documentary about Alaskan seals titled "Seal Island" (1948). It won an Academy Award for best two-reel documentary. Disney then assigned his top talent to make "Cinderella" (1950), "Alice in Wonderland" (1951), and "Peter Pan" (1953).

After building a train to ride his two daughters around his new home in Holmby Hills, California, Disney began formulating a dream in 1948 to build Mickey Mouse Amusement Park across the street from his studio. He visited fairs, carnivals, and parks around the world to study the choreography of people and attractions.

Disney borrowed on his life insurance policy and created WED Enterprises to organize his amusement park idea, which he was now referring to as Disneyland. Disney and Herb Ryman drew out the plans for the park in one weekend. The plan included an entrance gate to "Main Street" that would lead to Cinderella’s Castle and off to different lands of interest, including Frontier Land, Fantasy Land, Tomorrow Land, and Adventure Land.

The park would be clean and innovative, a place where parents and children could have fun together on rides and attractions; they would be entertained by Disney characters in the “happiest place on earth.”

Roy visited New York to seek a contract with a television network. Roy and Leonard Goldman reached an agreement where ABC would give Disney a $500,000 investment in Disneyland in exchange for a weekly Disney television series.

ABC became a 35 percent owner of Disneyland and guaranteed loans up to $4.5 million. In July 1953, Disney commissioned the Stanford Research Institute to find a location for his (and the world’s) first major theme park. Anaheim, California, was selected since it could easily be reached by freeway from Los Angeles.

Previous movie profits were not enough to cover the cost of building Disneyland, which took about a year to build at a cost of $17 million. Roy made numerous visits to the Bank of America's headquarters to secure more funding.

On July 13, 1955, Disney sent out 6,000 exclusive guest invitations, including to Hollywood movie stars, to enjoy the opening of Disneyland. ABC sent cameramen to film the opening. However, many tickets were counterfeited and 28,000 people showed up.

Rides broke down, food stands ran out of food, a heat wave caused freshly poured asphalt to capture shoes, and a gas leak caused temporary closings in a few themed areas.

Despite the newspapers referring to this cartoon-ish day as "Black Sunday," guests from all over the world loved it and the park became a major success. Ninety days later, the one-millionth guest passed through the park's turnstile.

In 1964, Disney’s "Mary Poppins" premiered; the film was nominated for 13 Academy Awards. With this success, Disney sent Roy and a few other Disney executives to Florida in 1965 to purchase land for another theme park.

In October 1966, Disney gave a press conference to describe his plans for building an Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow (EPCOT) in Florida. The new park would be five times the size of Disneyland, and it would include shopping, entertainment venues, and hotels.

The new Disney World development would not be completed, however, until five years after Disney’s death. The new Magic Kingdom (which included Main Street USA; Cinderella's Castle leading to Adventureland, Frontierland, Fantasyland, and Tomorrowland) opened on October 1, 1971, along with Disney's Contemporary Resort, Disney's Polynesian Resort, and Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground. EPCOT, Walt Disney’s second theme park vision, which featured a future world of innovation and a showcase of other countries, opened in 1982.

In 1966, doctors informed Disney that he had lung cancer. After having a lung removed and several chemotherapy sessions, Disney collapsed in his home and was admitted to St. Joseph’s Hospital on December 15, 1966. He died at 9:35 a.m. from an acute circulatory collapse and was buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, California.

Disney left behind one of the largest media empires in the world. Since his death, the Walt Disney Company has only grown; today, it employs more than 200,000 people and generates billions in revenue each year. For his artistic achievements, Disney amassed 22 Oscars and numerous other honors. In 1960, he was given two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (one for his film and one for his television work).

• David, Erica, and Bill Robinson. "Disney." Random House, 2015.
• "The Disneyland Story." Walt Disney Productions, 1985.
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Film Producers Explained: Who They Are and What They Do

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10 Horror Movies With Terrifyingly Realistic Premises

13 great sci-fi movies with terrible endings, 10 magical quotes that sum up harry potter as a character, quick links, what does a film producer do, what are the different types of producers, how do you become a film producer, 5 famous producers you should know in 2023.

A film as we see it, is the product of a huge team of people, working day and night to shape and mold a story into a tangible, visual delight, and create brilliance on screen. If the film’s director gives the shape, the cinematographer creates the artistry, and the actors personify that art, then it’s the producer who brings them (and a lot more) together. A film producer is the facilitator of an entire filmmaking process, from start to finish. From production to promotion, and distribution of the said film, they design the entire journey to nurture an idea into a memorable piece of art that is cinema. Here’s our quick and comprehensive download on the end-to-end role of a film producer.

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A film producer is essentially like a project manager, the project here being an entire film, where they may work independently, or for a production company. They are responsible for overseeing the filmmaking process from its ideation to its showcase at the theaters, managing the entire crew of writers, director/s, editors, visual effects artists, actors, composers, marketers, and every other professional responsible for making it a success. In other words, the artistic and commercial success of a film relies considerably on its producer. Needless to say, it’s a complex, long-drawn process that lasts over months, sometimes, years.

Pre-production

A film producer’s role begins at this very first stage of a film project. They can either select an original script pitched to them or find a promising screenwriter to write one. Even if a film is based on an original novel or any other material, they ensure that it’s adapted in a manner that fits the visual medium, audience, cultural trends, and so on. During the pre-production, the producer brings in the director, cinematographer, production designer, and casting director, together. They also have a final say on the casting from time to time, depending on the scale of the project. When all these activities culminate into a final pitch, the producer then seeks the financing required for the production to start. At this stage, the producers will also decide/approve the production locations, the studios, the production schedule, and most importantly, the budget .

While some producers also work in tandem with the directors on creative inputs, budget discussions, and more, many simply set up the initial process and supervise thereon, letting it unfold organically under the filmmaker and the rest of the crew. Once the filming starts, the key responsibility of the producer is to ensure that the project stays on schedule and within the planned budget. To make this stage smooth and successful, producers would often spend more time in the pre-production, to reduce budget waste and cut down delays in the production process. During this stage, if filming takes place in multiple locations with their respective crews, the producer will sometimes employ a second unit, which takes care of the cast and crew of the other unit/s.

Post-production

A film is not a film until it reaches the theaters and sparks interaction, appreciation, criticism, or whatever it is intended for. But for the film to reach there, it must go through yet another long process of final packaging and promotion. During the post-production, the producer also supervises the visual effects , editing, sound design, audio mixing, color correction, title credits, dubbing/subtitling (if required), and so on. They will then select the final footage that would look the best on screen. Once the filming is complete, and a test screening is done, the producers can sometimes ask for an alternative ending and/or additional scenes to be filmed, depending on the audience's response. In the latter stages of post-production, the film producer serves as the key decision maker in the film’s marketing and distribution, from promotional materials, publicity of the film, to the release, and distribution rights, thus making sure that all the months’ hard work by the entire cast and crew becomes a glorious success.

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As we have established so far, the job of a film producer involves a long and detailed process flow and involves a huge number of resources. Ergo, it’s not practically always possible for the producer to supervise everything at every stage, especially with multi-million-dollar projects. Hence, the primary producer or the executive producer often delegates a hierarchy of different types of producers, as the project may demand. They may range from line producers to supervising producers, associate producers, and even post-producers.

• Executive Producer – The primary producer in charge of the entire film, who ensures the project is on track and is responsible for securing finances and managing the business aspects of the film. An EP can either personally fund a film or bring in investors for funding.
• Co-executive Producer – The second-in-command to the EP, a co-executive producer effectively runs the project in the absence of an EP.
• Line Producer – A line producer manages the film’s crew and other staff, and their day-to-day operations, supervising every physical aspect involved in the filmmaking process.
• Supervising Producer – They are mostly involved in the ongoing creative process of the film, helping with screenplay development, script rewrites, etc. Sometimes, a supervising producer can also fill in for the EP’s role of overseeing the other producers.
• Producer – They initiate, arrange, and manage the entire production logistics and are involved at every stage of the process, very much like an operations manager.
• Co-producer – They assist other producers by adding their skills, resources, and ideas to the project. They can also get involved in funding, casting, and monitoring the film’s progress.
• Coordinating Producer/Production Coordinator – In this self-explanatory role, a production coordinator connects with all the other producers
• Field Producer – They assist the producer with the part of production that takes place in a different location, outside a studio.
• Edit Producer – They work with the film’s editors and help in selecting the best clips from the rushes (primary shot footage) and coordinating the editing work between other producers and the editing team.

Besides these, the production process may also involve a Consulting Producer , Associate Producer , Segment Producer , and Post Producer , at various stages of the filmmaking.

Film producers often come from various backgrounds within the entertainment industry . Most producers start out as actors or directors, while there are also writers, agents, and studio executives who take on the role of a producer. While it’s not necessary to have a background in production, having an education in the field can help you get a foot into the industry. However, the best education, as we all know, comes from real-life, in-depth, work experience in film productions, topped with a real zeal to make films. Additionally, if you have strong project management skills, organizational abilities, creative thinking, problem-solving, and crisis management skills, then you might be a good fit for relevant roles in film production. Being any kind of producer also requires a massive amount of persistence, patience, and persuasiveness, just like a great salesman.

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Hollywood has been home to a long list of famous film producers over the generations, including many filmmakers and actors who have assumed the role from time to time. Although they mostly work behind the screen, their work has been instrumental in making a film successful and, in many cases, award-winning. Here are some of the most prominent film producers of the present day, each known for inspirational work.

Jerry Bruckheimer

A name behind blockbuster films and modern classics like Top Gun , Jerry Bruckheimer is one of the most recognized and famous film and television producers and produces under the Jerry Bruckheimer Films banner. Working as a producer for five decades (and still counting), Bruckheimer is best known for producing films like Pearl Harbor , the Bad Boys film series, the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, and many other popular films in action, drama, fantasy, and sci-fi genres, which have earned a total of seven Academy Awards and five Golden Globe Awards. He has also served as an executive producer for several popular crime television shows like the CSI franchise , Cold Case , Lucifer , American Gigolo , etc.

If Blumhouse Productions has become synonymous with horror films, its credit goes to the founder and CEO, Jason Blum . A former executive at Miramax and later an independent producer with Paramount Pictures, Blum founded his production company to produce microbudget movies and delivered some of the most spine-chilling, blood-curdling thrillers of our times. He is most known for helming popular film franchises like Paranormal Activity , Insidious , and The Purge , as well as other films like Sinister , Oculus , The Gift , etc., receiving Academy Award nominations for films like Whiplash , Get Out , and BlacKkKlansman .

• Kathleen Kennedy

A film producer with a remarkable portfolio of 60+ films that have racked up 120 Academy Award nominations, Kathleen Kennedy ’s journey as a producer is like an inspirational biopic. From a personal assistant to Steven Spielberg , she became the co-founder of Amblin Entertainment with Spielberg and her husband Frank Marshall and is now the president of Lucasfilm. From 1982’s E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial , her first film as a producer, to Star Wars: The Force Awakens , Kennedy has produced a number of iconic, award-winning films including the likes of the Jurassic Park franchise, Schindler's List , the Back to the Future film series, A.I. Artificial Intelligence , The Sixth Sense , and the Indiana Jones franchise, among many other award-winning and popular titles.

Kevin Feige

Television and film producer Kevin Feige has been the primary producer and creator of the Marvel Cinematic Universe franchise since 2007 and the CEO of Marvel Entertainment since 2019. Feige started his career as a production assistant on hit 90s films like Volcano and You’ve Got Mail before becoming an associate producer on X-Men and Sam Raimi ’s Spider-Man . As an executive producer, Fiege has helmed major MCU film series like The Avengers , Captain America , Iron Man , and more. The MCU success story reached its peak when Black Panther was nominated at the 91st Academy Awards for Best Picture, making it the first ever superhero film to receive that honor. Feige is regarded as the highest-grossing producer of all time for producing Avengers: Endgame , which became the highest-grossing film at the time of its release.

Megan Ellison

What’s common among Zero Dark Thirty , Her , American Hustl e, and Phantom Thread ? Well, all of these films are produced by Megan Ellison ’s Annapurna Pictures and each of them has been nominated at the Academy Awards for Best Picture. From a boom operator to financing low-budget independent films, Ellison had her breakthrough as an executive producer with Coen Brothers ’ True Grit . As founder and CEO of Annapurna Pictures, Ellison has produced several critically and commercially successful films like Joy , 20th Century Women , Downsizing , The Ballad of Buster Scruggs , She Said , and House of Gucci , among many others. For her work on Her and American Hustle , Ellison became the first woman and the fourth person to have two films nominated for the Best Picture Oscar in the same year.

• Behind-the-Scenes

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Director, writer, producer bios, christine welsh: director, co-writer, co-producer.

Metis filmmaker Christine Welsh was born and raised in Saskatchewan and studied filmmaking at the University of Regina with the late Jean Oser.  She began work in the film industry as an assistant editor on Allan King’s prairie classic Who Has Seen the Wind and worked as a film editor in Toronto for ten years before moving to Vancouver Island in 1989.  Christine wrote and produced her first film, Women in the Shadows , in 1991 and has gone on to direct, write and produce several other award-winning films that document the experience of Indigenous women in Canada.  They include Keepers of the Fire (1994), The Story of the Coast Salish Knitters (2000), and Finding Dawn (NFB, 2006), a feature-length documentary on the epidemic of murdered and missing Indigenous women in Canada.  Christine’s films have been broadcast nationally on CBC, CTV and APTN, and have been featured at major film festivals in Canada, the U.S., France, Australia and New Zealand, as well as the 51 st United Nations Commission on the Status of Women in New York.  In 2009, her body of work was honoured with the WIFTV (Women in Film and Television Vancouver) Artistic Achievement Award for filmmaking excellence in telling women’s stories.  In addition to her filmmaking, Christine has spoken widely and published a number of articles that have appeared in Canadian Literature, Descant, Feminisms in the Cinema, and Screening Culture: Constructing Image and Identity .  She is an Associate Professor Emerita in the Department of Gender Studies at the University of Victoria where she taught courses in Indigenous Women’s Studies and Indigenous Cinema.

Elizabeth Vibert:  Researcher, Co-Writer, Co-Producer

Elizabeth Vibert is an historian and writer whose main interests are gender, poverty, food security, and colonialism. For six years Elizabeth has been doing community work and research in rural South Africa. Her relationship with the women at a cooperative vegetable garden there is the source of many recent activities: the film The Thinking Garden , which Elizabeth researched, co-wrote and co-produced with director Christine Welsh; advocacy work for small-scale farmers; the University of Victoria’s Colonial Legacies Field School in South Africa, which she founded and directs; a grower-to-grower exchange network between small-scale farmers in Southern Africa and Southern Vancouver Island (in formation); a local food-garden tour in the Victoria area; public talks on women and poverty, small-scale farming, and food security; scholarly and popular articles; and a book exploring older women’s life histories under apartheid and democracy (in progress). Elizabeth’s writings on Canadian Aboriginal and Southern African history have appeared in Gender and History , The Journal of Contemporary African Studies , Ethnohistory, The Globe and Mail, Active History, and other journals and anthologies. Elizabeth teaches history at the University of Victoria.

Moira Simpson: Cinematographer and editor

Moira Simpson has over thirty years experience as an award-winning freelance director, cinematographer and editor.  Her work in film, video and new media has always been informed by a passionate belief that film can be a powerful impetus for social justice.  Work on NFB and independent projects has taken her to Kosovo, several African countries, and Peru.  Mo has mentored many young filmmakers, teaching workshops across Canada and in the Arctic and teaching film production at UBC, SFU and Emily Carr University.  An unfamiliar language, xiTsonga, provided new challenges in The Thinking Garden , and it was with Basani Ngobeni’s collaboration as Assistant Director that the team was ultimately able to bring this story to the screen.

Basani Ngobeni: Assistant Director

Basani Ngobeni grew up in a village near Jopi, where The Thinking Garden was filmed. She has been Elizabeth Vibert’s research collaborator and interpreter for five years, and her skills, expertise, and local knowledge were indispensable to the production of the film. Basani is now studying communications and filmmaking for community development in Pretoria, South Africa.

Further information:

Synopsis  |   Screenings  |   Christine Welsh: Director’s statement  |   Director, writer, producer bio’s

To purchase or rent the film: Moving Images Distribution

Contact: [email protected] or [email protected]

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Tyler Perry

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Tyler Perry (born September 13, 1969, New Orleans , Louisiana , U.S.) is an American playwright, actor, screenwriter, producer, and director whose works—in which he often portrayed the character Mabel (“Madea”) Simmons, an outspoken grandmother—combined humour, religious wisdom, and personal triumph.

Perry had a difficult childhood. He grew up with a physically abusive father (he later changed his name to disassociate himself from his father), attempted suicide , and dropped out of high school , although he eventually passed a high-school equivalency exam. After he heard television personality Oprah Winfrey suggest that writing down personal experiences could be cathartic , Perry began to keep a journal, which evolved into his first play, I Know I’ve Been Changed . Perry worked a number of odd jobs to raise money for its first staging, which took place in Atlanta in 1992. His self-funded production—in which he also starred—received almost no attention and sent him into extreme poverty. In 1998, however, he restaged the play and sold out performances for eight days in a row before moving it to Atlanta’s nationally acclaimed Fox Theatre. Perry’s work was distinct in its blend of traditional theatre with African American Southern entertainment, which had been largely untapped by larger commercial enterprises.

Perry’s second stage production, a 1999 adaptation of Woman, Thou Art Loosed! by T.D. Jakes, grossed more than $5 million in five months. Perry’s trademark character, Madea, was created in his play I Can Do Bad All by Myself (2000; film 2009). The brutally honest, rambunctious gun-toting grandmother, whose name comes from the frequent African American contraction of “Mother Dear,” was played by Perry in drag. She was a recurring figure in a number of his later plays, such as Diary of a Mad Black Woman (2001; film 2005), Madea’s Family Reunion (2002; film 2006), Madea’s Class Reunion (2003), Madea Goes to Jail (2005; film 2009), Madea’s Big Happy Family (2010; film 2011), A Madea Christmas (2011; film 2013), and Madea’s Neighbors from Hell (2014).

Perry moved to feature films in 2005 by writing, producing, and acting in a screen version of Diary of a Mad Black Woman . Its feel-good narrative, in which Madea counsels her granddaughter through a failed marriage, helped Perry gain a wider audience. He reprised the role of Madea in subsequent film adaptations of his plays, which he also produced and directed. A 2007 adaptation of his play Why Did I Get Married? (2004), an exploration of modern relationships, allowed Perry to move beyond the Madea character on-screen. He additionally began writing and directing films that were not based on previous work, such as Daddy’s Little Girls (2007) and The Family That Preys (2008).

In 2010 Perry wrote and directed Why Did I Get Married Too? , in which he also starred, and For Colored Girls , an adaptation of Ntozake Shange ’s groundbreaking ensemble theatre piece For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide/When the Rainbow Is Enuf (1975). He later wrote and directed himself in Good Deeds (2012), a drama about a CEO seeking personal fulfillment; Madea’s Witness Protection (2012); Boo! A Madea Halloween (2016) and its sequel (2017); A Madea Family Funeral (2019); and A Madea Homecoming (2022). Tyler Perry’s Temptation (2013), which Perry adapted from his play The Marriage Counselor (2008), offered another tale of romantic tumult. He then wrote and directed the uplifting The Single Moms Club (2014). His movies from 2018 included the thriller Acrimony , in which Taraji P. Henson played a wife seeking revenge against her deceptive husband, and the comedy Nobody’s Fool , which starred Tiffany Haddish as a recently paroled ex-convict who helps her straitlaced sister with her love life. A Fall from Grace (2020), about an abused woman accused of killing her husband, aired on Netflix .

Beginning with Star Trek (2009), Perry occasionally accepted acting roles in others’ films. For instance, in Alex Cross (2012), an adaptation of a James Patterson novel, he portrayed the titular detective, a role originated on-screen by Morgan Freeman . He later appeared as a defense attorney in David Fincher ’s thriller Gone Girl (2014) and played villainous scientist Baxter Stockman in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows (2016). Perry was then cast as Secretary of State Colin Powell in Vice (2018), a biopic of Dick Cheney , vice president in the administration of George W. Bush . His credits from 2021 included the action drama Those Who Wish Me Dead and Don’t Look Up , a satire about an impending comet strike that will destroy Earth.

Perry’s first book, Don’t Make a Black Woman Take Off Her Earrings: Madea’s Uninhibited Commentaries on Love and Life (2006), was a best seller . Perry’s work also translated successfully to television with his sitcoms House of Payne (2006–12; 2020– ); Meet the Browns (2009–11), which evolved from a play (2004) and a film (2008); and For Better or Worse (2011–17), which centred on characters from Why Did I Get Married? and its sequel. The latter series was picked up by Oprah Winfrey ’s OWN channel in its third season following its cancellation by TBS. Perry created several additional television shows for OWN: the soap operas The Haves and the Have Nots (2013–21) and If Loving You Is Wrong (2014–16) as well as such comedies as Love Thy Neighbor (2013–17). In 2017 Perry signed a deal with Viacom , and his subsequent shows included The Oval (2019– ), about a U.S. president and his family, and its spinoff, Ruthless (2020– ).

In 2006 he created Tyler Perry Studios, and since 2015 it has been located on a former army base in Atlanta. In 2021 Perry received the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences . He was cited for “caring for people who are most often ignored.”

What does a film producer do?

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What is a Film Producer?

A film producer is a pivotal figure in the filmmaking process, playing a central role in bringing a cinematic project to life. Producers are involved in multiple stages of film production, from the initial concept and development to the final distribution of the finished product. Their responsibilities encompass a wide range of tasks, including securing funding, assembling the creative team, managing the production budget, and navigating the complex logistics of filmmaking.

Film producers wear many hats, and their roles can vary depending on the type and scale of the project. They collaborate closely with directors, writers, and other key personnel to shape the overall vision of the film. Their ability to balance artistic vision with practical considerations, coupled with effective problem-solving skills, is instrumental in the successful execution of a film project in the highly competitive and dynamic landscape of the film industry.

What does a Film Producer do?

The role of a film producer requires a combination of creative vision, business acumen, and effective communication skills. Producers are instrumental in turning creative concepts into successful cinematic productions, navigating the complexities of the film industry to bring compelling stories to audiences worldwide.

Duties and Responsibilities The duties and responsibilities of a film producer are diverse and encompass a broad spectrum of tasks throughout the various stages of film production. Here are key responsibilities associated with the role:

• Development: Collaborate with writers, directors, and studios to select or develop film projects. This involves assessing scripts, identifying potential stories, and evaluating their commercial viability. Acquire rights to existing material, such as books, scripts, or life stories, that may serve as the basis for a film.
• Financing: Raise funds for the film by negotiating deals with studios, production companies, and investors. This includes developing financing strategies, creating budgets, and presenting project proposals to potential backers. Oversee the film's budget, ensuring that financial resources are allocated appropriately to cover production costs, including pre-production, shooting, and post-production expenses.
• Pre-Production: Assemble a creative team, including directors, writers, cinematographers, and other key personnel. Participate in the selection of cast members. Plan and coordinate logistical aspects of pre-production, such as securing locations, organizing casting sessions, and developing production schedules.
• Production: Manage the day-to-day operations of the production, overseeing the execution of the director's vision and ensuring that the project stays on schedule and within budget. Address challenges that may arise during filming, including technical issues, scheduling conflicts, and unforeseen obstacles. Maintain the overall quality and integrity of the film, collaborating with the director and creative team to achieve the desired vision.
• Post-Production: Work closely with the editing team to ensure that the final cut aligns with the creative vision and meets industry standards. Oversee the integration of sound design and music into the film, collaborating with composers, sound engineers, and post-production teams.
• Distribution: Develop strategies for marketing and promoting the film, working with distributors and marketing teams to create effective campaigns. Plan and coordinate submissions to film festivals, where the film can gain exposure and critical acclaim.
• Business and Legal Affairs: Negotiate contracts with key personnel, including actors, directors, and crew members. Address legal and contractual matters related to the film's production and distribution.
• Networking and Relationship Building: Build and maintain relationships within the film industry, including studios, talent agencies, and distribution channels. Attend industry events and festivals to network and stay informed about industry trends.

Types of Film Producers In the film industry, various types of producers contribute to the creation and success of a film. The roles and titles can sometimes overlap, and the specific responsibilities may vary depending on the production. Here are some common types of film producers:

• Executive Film Producer: An executive producer typically provides financial backing for the film. They may secure funding, invest their own money, or bring in investors. While they may not be involved in day-to-day operations, executive producers often play a key role in decision-making at a higher level and may contribute to the overall vision of the project.
• Co-Producer: A co-producer works alongside the main producer(s) and may take on specific responsibilities such as coordinating certain aspects of production, managing logistics, or overseeing particular departments. The title can vary, and the level of involvement depends on the agreement between the co-producer and the main producer.
• Line Producer: The line producer focuses on the practical aspects of production, managing the budget, schedules, and day-to-day operations on the set. They work closely with the director and other department heads to ensure the smooth running of the production.
• Associate Producer: An associate producer typically assists the main producer in various tasks. This role can involve coordinating specific aspects of production, managing paperwork, or providing support in areas such as post-production.
• Production Manager: While not always considered a traditional producer, a production manager oversees the logistical aspects of filmmaking. They work closely with the line producer to ensure that resources are allocated efficiently, schedules are maintained, and the production stays within budget.
• Supervising Producer: A supervising producer has a higher-level role in the creative and decision-making process. They may provide creative input, oversee the work of other producers, and ensure that the production aligns with the overall vision and goals.
• Development Producer: A development producer is focused on the early stages of a project, working to develop and shape the concept, secure rights to source material, and create a solid foundation for the production.
• Post-Production Supervisor: While not a traditional producer, a post-production supervisor oversees the editing and completion of the film. They work with the director and editor to ensure the film meets artistic and technical standards during the post-production phase.

Are you suited to be a film producer?

Film producers have distinct personalities . They tend to be enterprising individuals, which means they’re adventurous, ambitious, assertive, extroverted, energetic, enthusiastic, confident, and optimistic. They are dominant, persuasive, and motivational. Some of them are also artistic, meaning they’re creative, intuitive, sensitive, articulate, and expressive.

Does this sound like you? Take our free career test to find out if film producer is one of your top career matches.

What is the workplace of a Film Producer like?

The workplace of a film producer is dynamic and multifaceted, evolving across various stages of the filmmaking process. Initially, much of the work occurs in offices, studios, or production companies, where producers engage in project development, script analysis, and strategic planning. This phase involves selecting or developing scripts, securing rights to source material, and negotiating deals with writers, directors, and other key collaborators. Producers often work closely with executives, financiers, and development teams, shaping the creative vision and laying the groundwork for the production.

As the film progresses into the pre-production stage, the workplace transforms to include hands-on involvement in coordinating logistical aspects. Film producers collaborate with line producers, production managers, and other key personnel to manage budgets, hire the creative team, and ensure that the necessary resources are in place for a smooth shoot.

During the actual production phase, the workplace extends to film sets, where producers oversee the realization of the creative vision, addressing challenges that may arise and maintaining the overall quality of the project. Post-production stages may involve additional work in editing suites and studios, where film producers work closely with editors, sound designers, and other specialists to finalize the film before its release.

Frequently Asked Questions

Filmmaker vs film director vs film producer.

In the intricate world of filmmaking, numerous roles converge to create a cinematic masterpiece. Among these, the roles of filmmaker, film director, and film producer stand out as essential pillars shaping the entire process. Understanding the distinctions between these roles is pivotal for anyone aspiring to enter the film industry or simply curious about the collaborative artistry behind the movies we enjoy.

Filmmaker: A filmmaker is a broad term that encompasses anyone involved in making films. It includes directors, producers, screenwriters, cinematographers, and editors. Filmmakers are the creative minds behind the storytelling process, collaborating to bring scripts to life visually and emotionally on the screen.

Film Director: A film director is a specific role within filmmaking responsible for guiding the creative aspects of a film. Directors are like the captains of a ship, overseeing the entire filmmaking process. They interpret the script, visualize the story, work with actors to elicit performances, collaborate with cinematographers on visual style, guide the editing process, and make numerous creative decisions. Directors have a significant impact on the artistic direction and overall tone of the film. They work closely with all departments to ensure the cohesive realization of the screenplay into a visual narrative.

Film Producer: Film producers are responsible for the business and logistical aspects of filmmaking. Producers secure funding for the film, assemble the production team (including hiring the director), manage budgets, oversee schedules, coordinate logistics, and handle the marketing and distribution of the finished film. Producers play a crucial role in ensuring the film is completed within budget and on time. They collaborate with directors and other creative personnel but primarily focus on the practical and financial aspects, ensuring the smooth functioning of the production process.

While filmmakers, directors, and producers have distinct roles, successful filmmaking relies on effective collaboration and communication among all these professionals. Each role contributes unique skills and expertise, ensuring a harmonious blend of creativity and practicality in the filmmaking process.

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Filmmaker Related Careers and Degrees

• Cinematographer
• Commercial Filmmaker
• Documentary Filmmaker
• Educational Filmmaker
• Experimental Filmmaker
• Film and Video Editor
• Film Director
• Film Producer
• Genre Filmmaker
• Independent Filmmaker
• International Filmmaker
• Screenwriter
• Cinema Studies
• Film and Photographic Technology
• Film Production
• Screenwriting

Pros and Cons of Being a Film Producer

While being a film producer offers opportunities for creative expression and financial success, it also comes with inherent challenges and uncertainties. Prospective producers should carefully weigh the following factors:

• Creative Fulfillment: Film producers have the opportunity to be involved in the creation of compelling stories and bring artistic visions to life. Contributing to the development of impactful and entertaining films can be highly fulfilling.
• Entrepreneurial Opportunities: Many film producers operate as entrepreneurs, working on independent projects or founding production companies. This allows for greater control over creative choices and business decisions.
• Networking Opportunities: Film production involves collaboration with a diverse range of professionals, from directors and writers to actors and crew members. This provides extensive networking opportunities within the entertainment industry.
• Varied Responsibilities: Film producers wear multiple hats throughout the production process. This variety in responsibilities, from project development to post-production, keeps the role dynamic and engaging.
• Financial Rewards: Successful films can generate substantial financial returns. Producers who work on commercially successful projects or negotiate favorable deals can benefit from significant financial rewards.
• Global Impact: Films have the power to reach global audiences, allowing producers to contribute to cultural conversations and share stories with people around the world.
• High Risk and Uncertainty: The film industry is inherently risky, and not all projects succeed. Financial investments may not always result in profitable returns, leading to financial instability for producers, especially in the case of independent or lower-budget films.
• Long Working Hours: Film production often involves long and irregular working hours. Producers may need to navigate tight schedules, work late into the night, and handle the pressures of meeting deadlines.
• High Competition: The film industry is highly competitive, with numerous producers vying for limited opportunities. Securing funding, attracting talent, and getting projects off the ground can be challenging in a crowded marketplace.
• Complex Logistics: Managing the logistics of film production, including budgets, schedules, and unexpected challenges, requires strong organizational skills. The complexity of coordinating various elements can be overwhelming.
• Emotional Investment: Film producers often become emotionally invested in their projects. The highs of a successful release are balanced by the lows of setbacks or critical reception, contributing to the emotional toll of the job.
• Dependency on External Factors: Success in film production is often dependent on external factors, including audience reception, market trends, and critical reviews. External variables can impact the outcome of a project, even if it is well-executed.

Film Producers are also known as: Producer

Best Biopics Ever Made, Ranked

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The silver screen is a faithful and loyal servant to a good biographical film; the genre is undisputedly the darling of both the Academy Awards and Tinseltown, with over a dozen biographical dramas winning Best Picture and numerous actors winning for their portrayals of real-life historical figures. Biopics are a tried and true style of movie-making that are more often than not slam dunks with both the box office and critics alike. Despite the genre being brought to the big screen more frequently in recent years, its effectiveness and impact remains consistent.

Whether depicting the life of an esteemed physicist, Wild West outlaws, or even United States President Abraham Lincoln himself, biopics are the cream of the crop in Hollywood cinema. Many of these films helped skyrocket the careers of both their director and actor duos , serving as stepping stones in their lucrative and successful careers. These are some of the best biopics ever made.

Updated July 4, 2024: This list has been updated by Rachel Johnson with even more great biopics featuring stellar performances that movie lovers should check out.

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Reading of the murder of a Kansas family, New York City novelist Truman Capote (Philip Seymour Hoffman) decides to cover the story himself, and travels to the small town with his childhood friend, aspiring novelist Harper Lee (Catherine Keener). When Perry Smith (Clifton Collins Jr.) and Dick Hickock (Mark Pellegrino) are arrested and charged, Capote forms an emotional bond with Smith during his jailhouse interviews despite the young criminal's apparent guilt.

The late and great Philip Seymour Hoffman was undeniably one of Hollywood's most illustrious performers, brilliantly transforming himself for every role he took on. Hoffman knocked it out of the park when he appeared as famed American novelist Truman Capote in the engrossing biopic Capote that chronicled the writer's research and creation of his trailblazing true crime hit In Cold Blood. Capote travels to the small Kansas town where the gruesome Clutter family murders occurred in 1959, doing so with fellow writer and friend Harper Lee (Catherine Keener) to investigate the shocking crime.

Hoddman Soared as Truman Capote

Hoffman masterfully commands the screen and completely embodies the peculiar Capote, spending four months preparing and researching for the role in an effort to capture his distinct voice and mannerisms. The gifted star felt it was extremely important to "express the vitality and the nuances" of Capote and stayed in character the entire time during production. Hoffman's dedication to the role ultimately paid off, as he was the recipient of numerous prestigious accolades, like an Academy Award, a Golden Globe, and a BAFTA for his performance, and he became deeply regarded as one of the cinema's most talented actors because of it.

Depicting the fascinating life of worldwide film icon Charlie Chaplin, 1992’s Richard Attenborough biopic Chaplin stars Robert Downey Jr. as “The Little Tramp” in a searing performance. The film features an elderly Chaplin as he recollects his incredible life journey for his autobiography , from his poverty-stricken roots to worldwide success. With a talented supporting cast including Dan Aykroyd, Marisa Tomei, and even Chaplin’s real life daughter Geraldine Chaplin, the movie was released on the fifteenth anniversary of the beloved star’s death.

Chaplin Is One of Downey Jr.'s Best Roles

Despite mixed reviews for the biopic itself, Downey Jr.’s performance was lauded and garnered critical acclaim. It is arguably his finest role to date (outside of his Oscar-winning role in Oppenheimer ) and won him the BAFTA Award for Best Actor, along with an Academy Award nomination. The Los Angeles Times wrote, “Downey becomes Chaplin, re-creating his character and his chilly soul so precisely that even the comedian’s daughter Geraldine, a featured player here, was both impressed and unnerved.”

17 12 Years a Slave

12 Years a Slave

The Steve McQueen-directed poignant and deeply powerful drama 12 Years a Slave tells the devastating true story of Solomon Northup, a free African-American who was brutally kidnapped by two white men and sold into slavery in Louisiana in 1841, leaving his beloved wife and two children behind in New York. Chiwetel Ejiofor was fantastic as Northup, who experienced unfathomable violence and cruelty at the hands of one of his owners, Edwin Epps (Michael Fassbender), before eventually finding an unexpected savior in Canadian abolitionist Samuel Bass (Brad Pitt) who would help grant him his freedom.

12 Years a Slave Made History

Both McQueen and the producers went to painstaking lengths to ensure that 12 Years a Slave was historically accurate, utilizing the help of African-American culture and history scholar Henry Louis Gates Jr. to consult on the film. According to the data and visual blog Information is Beautiful , the drama was 88.1% accurate, with the publication summarizing: "While there are a touch of dramatic license here and there, the most gut-wrenching scenes really happened." 12 Years a Slave garnered universal acclaim and made cinema history when McQueen won Best Picture, becoming the first black filmmaker to win the Academy Award.

16 The Pianist

The Pianist

In this adaptation of the autobiography "The Pianist: The Extraordinary True Story of One Man's Survival in Warsaw, 1939-1945," Wladyslaw Szpilman (Adrien Brody), a Polish Jewish radio station pianist, sees Warsaw change gradually as World War II begins. Szpilman is forced into the Warsaw Ghetto, but is later separated from his family during Operation Reinhard. From this time until the concentration camp prisoners are released, Szpilman hides in various locations among the ruins of Warsaw.

Adapted from the autobiographical book of the same name, Roman Polanski's The Pianist stars Adrien Brody as Polish-Jewish composer and pianist Władysław Szpilman, who is forced to live in the Warsaw Ghetto during World War II and was heartbreakingly separated from his family, spending two years in hiding after the invasion of Poland. Szpilman evaded capture by the Nazis multiple times during this horrific period, finding an ally in German officer Wilm Hosenfeld (Thomas Kretschmann) as the war raged on around him.

The Director's Personal Connection Made For a Spectacular Movie

Polanski himself had escaped from the Kraków Ghetto as a child after losing his mother during the war and being separated from his father, finding refuge in a Polish farmer's barn. Polanski felt a deep connection with Szpilman and his story and wanted to pay his respects to the Holocaust survivor by directing the film, doing so spectacularly. The Pianist premiered at the Cannes Film Festival and took home the highly-coveted Palme d'Or, and the drama also went on to win three Academy Awards, including Best Director. Polanski's vision, Brody's raw performance, and the screenplay attracted widespread praise from fans and critics alike.

15 The Theory of Everything

The Theory of Everything

2014’s critically acclaimed biopic The Theory of Everything is a poignant portrayal of the relationship between renowned physicist Stephen Hawking and his wife, Jane. The film was adapted from Jane Hawking’s 2007 memoir Travelling to Infinity: My Life with Stephen , and she provided input and insight for the script. The Theory of Everything stars Eddie Redmayne and Felicity Jones as the famous couple, with the former spending six months researching Hawking’s life and mastering his accent and speech patterns.

A Great Movie About the Hawkings

Though some creative liberties were taken surrounding the early days of Stephen and Jane's relationship and the renowned physicist's temperament, the biopic was a massive hit both commercially and critically, with Redmayne specifically receiving immense praise and winning the Academy Award for Best Leading Actor. Director James Marsh described the essence of the biopic's story as, "a very unusual love story in a very strange environment, a very strange sort of landscape... It is how these two characters, these two real people transcend all the complications and curveballs that life throws at them."

14 The Last King of Scotland

The Last King of Scotland

While in Uganda on a medical mission, Scottish doctor Nicholas Garrigan (James McAvoy) becomes the personal physician and close confidante of dictator Idi Amin (Forest Whitaker). Although at first Dr. Garrigan feels flattered by his new position of power, he soon comes to realize that Amin's rule is soaked in blood, and that he is complicit in the atrocities. Garrigan faces the fight of his life as he tries to escape Amin's grasp.

Touting a phenomenal ensemble cast led by Forest Whitaker , James McAvoy, and Kerry Washington, the captivating historical drama The Last King of Scotland recounts the life and legacy of Ugandan dictator Idi Amin. After overthrowing President Milton Obote, he assumes power and begins a reign of terror that lasts from 1971 to 1979. McAvoy appears as the fictional character Dr. Nicholas Garrigan, who serves as Amin's private physician in the film and witnesses the disturbing atrocities committed by the ruthless leader.

The Last King of Scotland Features Whitaker in a Chilling Role

Garrigan was inspired by two real-life figures: Amin's associate and colonial officer Bob Astles and Scottish doctor Wilson Carswell, both of whom saw firsthand the violence and blood Amin left in his wake. In The Last King of Scotland , Whitaker was a force to be reckoned with, delivering a chilling and downright brutal performance as the notorious dictator. He became the fourth Black actor to win the Academy Award for Best Actor, and The Daily Mail wrote in their review that he "fully captures the menace of the man who murdered more than 300,000 of his fellow citizens, but also - and this is the difficult part - his humor, charm and charisma."

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13 Walk the Line

Walk The Line (2005)

Telling the story of famous American country musician Johnny Cash, James Mangold's 2005 biopic, Walk the Line sees Joaquin Phoenix take on the role of the "Ring of Fire" singer. The film uses two of Cash's autobiographies as the basis for the script, 1975's Man in Black: His Own Story in His Own Words and 1997's Cash: The Autobiography , and details the late singer-songwriter's rise to fame, his two marriages, and his addiction to drugs.

Joaquin Phoenix in One of His Best Roles

Co-starring Reese Witherspoon, Ginnifer Goodwin, and Robert Patrick, the movie was a box office hit and gained rave reviews from critics. It also earned five Academy Award nominations, with Phoenix taking home the award for Best Actor. Though the film is solid, like many biopics, it's the performance of the leading man that makes Walk the Line truly great. Phoenix completely transforms into Cash, even managing to expertly imitate the singer's infamous voice. It is a subtle yet charismatic performance that stands out as among the best of Phoenix's career .

12 The Elephant Man

The Elephant Man

Dr. Frederic Treves (Anthony Hopkins) discovers Joseph (John) Merrick (John Hurt) in a sideshow. Born with a congenital disorder, Merrick uses his disfigurement to earn a living as the "Elephant Man." Treves brings Merrick into his home, discovering that his rough exterior hides a refined soul, and that Merrick can teach the stodgy British upper class of the time a lesson about dignity. Merrick becomes the toast of London and charms a caring actress (Anne Bancroft) before his death at 27.

1980's The Elephant Man tells the real-life story of an English man, Joseph Merrick, who adopted the cruel nickname "The Elephant Man" owing to his severe facial deformities as a result of a rare genetic disease. Set in Victorian London, the film portrays the friendship between Merrick (John Hurt) and Frederick Treves, a surgeon who rescues Merrick from a freak show and who sees the disfigured man for the kindhearted and intelligent person he truly is.

A Haunting Tale From David Lynch

Directed by David Lynch , the film garnered critical acclaim upon its release and went on to receive eight Academy Award nominations at the 53rd annual ceremony. Hurt's performance, in particular, was lauded by critics, with Vincent Canby of The New York Times calling his portrayal "truly remarkable." The Elephant Man is a haunting yet beautifully moving tale of compassion, acceptance, and seeing beyond another's appearance.

11 Straight Outta Compton

Straight Outta Compton

When it was released in cinemas in 2015, F. Gary Gray's Straight Outta Compton almost instantly became a financial success and a modern-day classic. Set in Los Angeles in the mid-1980s, the film revolves around the formation and break-up of the hip-hop group N.W.A, whose members consist of rappers Ice Cube, Dr. Dre, Eazy-E, MC Ren, and DJ Yella. Titled after the group's debut album, it depicts their early success in the music industry, their rise to mainstream popularity, and the feuds, disputes, violence, and deaths that surrounded the group.

Straight Outta Compton Is a Provocative Biopic

Straight Outta Compton is different from the average musical biopic . In fact, it's so much better. With N.W.A members Ice Cube and Dr. Dre serving as producers, along with Eazy-E's widow, Tomica Woods-Wright, the film is raw, honest, and provocative, and doesn't shy away from the more unpleasant aspects of hip-hop culture. Ultimately, though, it is a well-acted and superbly directed celebration of the genre.

10 Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid

Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid

Starring two of Hollywood’s most talented and revered actors, Paul Newman and Robert Redford, 1969’s American western Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid was initially met with a mixed response but, over time, has become a distinguished classic. Loosely based on Wild West outlaws Robert LeRoy Parker (Butch Cassidy) and Harry Longabaugh (the “Sundance Kid”), it features the infamous duo on the run from a crack US posse after an extensive string of train robberies.

One of the Greatest Western Films of All Time

Numerous A-list actors were initially tied to the iconic picture, such as Jack Lemmon, Warren Beatty, and Steve McQueen, but it was Newman and Redford who nabbed the roles and dished up iconic performances as the American legends. Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid is now regarded as being among the greatest Westerns of all time and its screenplay has also been singled out as one of cinema's finest, with screenwriter William Goldman taking home the Oscar for his dazzling contributions.

9 Oppenheimer

Oppenheimer

Acclaimed director, Christopher Nolan, is no stranger to taking on films that deal with real-life figures or events. After all, he previously directed 2017's Dunkirk , which told the story of the Dunkirk evacuation of World War II, as well as 2006's The Prestige that, although largely a fictional story, featured real-life inventor Nikola Tesla, among its main characters. 2023's Oppenheimer , however, can be classed as Nolan's first true biopic.

What Makes It Great

Based on the 2005 biography American Prometheus by Kai Bird and Martin J. Sherwin, the Oscar-winning film depicts the life and career of theoretical physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer (Cillian Murphy), the inventor of the nuclear bomb. Told across several different timelines in a non-linear style, it follows the titular character's early life in academia, his recruitment to the Manhattan Project and the development of the nuclear bomb, the bomb's use in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and subsequent hearings that see Oppenheimer accused of communist sympathies.

A three-hour R-rated biopic about the father of the nuclear bomb should've been alienating to a general audience. However, with Nolan's attachment, an all-star cast, rave reviews, and its link to the social media phenomenon known as "Barbenheimer ," Oppenheimer has become one of the highest-grossing biopics ever. Fortunately, it lives up to the hype.

This acclaimed biographical drama presents major events in the life of Mohandas Gandhi (Ben Kingsley), the beloved Indian leader who stood against British rule over his country. Dedicated to the concept of nonviolent resistance, Gandhi is initially dismissed by English officials, including the influential Lord Irwin (John Gielgud), but eventually he and his cause become internationally renowned, and his gatherings of passive protest move India towards independence.

Detailing the life of the lawyer who would go on to become the famed leader of the nonviolent revolts against British rule, 1982’s Gandhi stars Ben Kingsley in the titular role. The biopic focuses on Mahatma Gandhi’s life from a defining moment in 1893, in which he was thrown off a South African train for being in a whites-only compartment. The film concludes with his tragic assassination and subsequent funeral in 1948.

Gandhi Is Historically Accurate

The stunning picture was praised for its historical accuracy upon its release, as was Kingsley's outstanding performance and production values. It received 11 Academy Award nominations and won eight, including Best Actor (for Kingsley), Best Picture, and Best Director. Gandhi is a deeply moving and enlightening epic that features an emotionally driven performance by Ben Kingsley and beautifully depicts the civil rights leader’s riveting life.

7 The Social Network

The Social Network

When David Fincher's The Social Network was released in 2010, the social media platform Facebook had only been around for six years. In that time, the website had amassed an impressive 500 million global users and had become the third-largest web company in the US. A film that documented the company's meteoric rise was, therefore, a no-brainer. With a script by Aaron Sorkin , the movie depicts Harvard University student Mark Zuckerberg (Jesse Eisenberg), who initially develops a website called "Facemash" that allows users to rate the attractiveness of female students on campus. This soon grew in popularity, spreading to other colleges and attracting the attention of wealthy investors.

The Social Network Is Expertly Crafted

The Social Network is a gripping story that is surprisingly small and contained, given the scale of its subject matter. Though a few artistic liberties were clearly taken, Fincher's direction, Sorkin's script, and Eisenberg's lead performance ensure the film is an expertly crafted and entertaining one, even if it's not always historically accurate. And with an Academy Award-winning score by Nine Inch Nails members Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, The Social Network is undoubtedly one of the best biopics of the twenty-first century that still has a lot of relevance today .

10 Best Oscar-Nominated Biopics of All Time, Ranked

These Oscar-nominated biopics capture different personas and different times. They all play significant roles in the cinematic world.

6 Malcolm X

Spike Lee’s epic biography Malcolm X portrays the life of the controversial and highly influential Black Nationalist leader, from his beginnings as a small-time gangster to his ministry as a member of the Nation of Islam. The dynamic Denzel Washington stars as the infamous African-American activist and features the additional talent of Hollywood greats Angela Bassett, Albert Hall, and Al Freeman Jr.

Malcolm X Is an Amazing Biopic

Spike Lee told The New York Times that he never envisioned any other actor in the lead role, saying that Denzel “really captured Malcolm” in his Off-Broadway portrayal of him. Largely based on the 1965 book The Autobiography of Malcolm X, the film earned rave reviews, with famed critic Roger Ebert raving that the biopic was "one of the great screen biographies, celebrating the sweep of an American life that bottomed out in prison before its hero reinvented himself."

Heavily regarded as one of the most diverse and gifted actors of all time, Daniel Day-Lewis added another feather to his impressive cap when he starred as United States President Abraham Lincoln in the 2012 historical biopic Lincoln . Known famously for his method acting approach, Day-Lewis spent a year preparing for the role, reading over 100 books on Lincoln and speaking in his voice throughout the entire shoot.

Lincoln Combines the Best of Spielberg and Day-Lewis

The dynamic star teamed up with renowned director Steven Spielberg for Lincoln , which was lauded upon its release, with Day-Lewis and his co-star Sally Field garnering particular praise for their exceptional work. The actor’s dignified and regal portrayal of the 16th president was impressive and inspiring, and he would go on to win the Academy Award for Best Actor, once again proving to the masses how unparalleled he is as a leading man. Lincoln is heavily cited as one of Spielberg's best films and was a shining moment for both the legendary director and actor.

4 Goodfellas

Martin Scorsese’s masterpiece biographical crime film Goodfellas narrates the rise and fall of mob associate Henry Hill, covering his relationship with wife Karen Hill and his ill-fated ties with mob partners Tommy DeVito and Jimmy Conway. Some of the silver screen’s finest stars headline the film, with Ray Liotta portraying Henry Hill, Joe Pesci as Tommy DeVito, and Robert De Niro as Jimmy Conway.

Goodfellas Is Full of Suspense and Authenticity

Depicting 25 years of the mobster’s life from 1955 to 1980, Goodfellas is jam-packed full of suspense, degradation, and intense violence that is critical to the authenticity of the biopic. The powerful performances of its talented cast and Scorsese’s masterful storytelling and directing were celebrated, and Goodfellas is heavily regarded as one of the greatest films ever made and a trailblazing feat in the gangster genre.

3 Raging Bull

Raging Bull

The biographical sports drama Raging Bull is another Martin Scorsese knockout that is considered the gifted director’s magnum opus. The classic film depicts the life of boxer Jake LaMotta, an Italian-American middleweight whose temper and violence led him to extreme success in the ring but destroyed his life outside it. Robert De Niro iconically leads the drama as LaMotta, and trained extensively with the real-life boxer in preparation for the role.

Raging Bull Put Joe Pesci on the Map

Frequent future Scorsese collaborator Joe Pesci co-stars as Jake’s younger brother and manager, Joey LaMotta. Pesci, at the time, was a struggling actor and was scouted by De Niro himself. Raging Bull debuted to an initial lukewarm response, mostly due to its violent content. Despite such a reception, De Niro’s performance garnered widespread acclaim, and he won the Academy Award for Best Actor. The drama was also ranked as the fourth-greatest American movie of all time by the American Film Institute.

2 Schindler’s List

Schindler’s List (1993)

Steven Spielberg’s heart-wrenching 1993 historical drama Schindler’s List is based on the Thomas Keneally novel Schindler’s Ark and follows German industrialist Oskar Schindler, who helped save more than a thousand Polish-Jewish refugees from the Holocaust. Spielberg approached Schindler’s List as a documentary and shot the film in black and white , despite his reservations on whether he was mature enough to create such a picture.The esteemed director famously forwent a salary for the project, declaring it “blood money."

Schindler's List Received Universal Acclaim

Liam Neeson took on the lead role of Oskar Schindler and was cast in part because he was a relative unknown; Spielberg did not want an actor’s star quality to overpower the character. Schindler’s List received universal critical acclaim with its atmosphere, directing, performances and tone heralded. It was the recipient of seven Academy Awards and is considered one of the best films in cinema history, with The New Yorker calling it a picture that “will take its place in cultural history and remain there.”

1 Lawrence of Arabia

Lawrence of Arabia

The 1962 epic British historical drama Lawrence of Arabia details the life of T.E. Lawrence, an English officer who triumphantly united and led the often tumultuous Arab tribes during World War I . Acting great Peter O’Toole stars as Lawrence, and the film stunningly depicts his emotional struggles with the violence of war and his conflicted allegiance with his home of Britain and his Arabian comrades.

Lawrence of Arabia Is a Groundbreaking Biopic

Lawrence of Arabia was an adored phenomenon among critics and viewers alike, with its screenplay, visuals, and performance by O’Toole all lauded. The groundbreaking biopic is considered a cinematic masterpiece and rightfully won seven Academy Awards. It is regarded as one of the most influential films ever crafted, with O’Toole’s portrayal touted as one of the finest in all cinema history, perfectly tapping into what makes a biographical performance great.

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