Difference between producer and director?

[Dieselboy]

Forgive my ignorance, but could someone please explain the different job duties that entail a producer from a director?

[jadedeath]

After a quick jaunt to wikipedia {I know, I know, not the most solid evidence but these one's were pretty accurate}

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Film_producer producer, is the guy behind the scenes securing funding and hiring people {crew, cast, etc.} to work on the movie.

Generally the Producer is 'higher up' than the Director, but in some cases this rule is broken depending on how 'well known' the Director is. {IE If someone wanted to fire Francis Ford from a movie set as a Producer to throw their weight around it'd likely end up that said Producer would end up on his @$$ and out of a job}

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Film_director The Director is the guy/girl who does the creative aspect of it, turning the script into a film, guiding the folks who are on 'the front lines' of the movie.

I hope this helps.

Logan

[retablo]

The Producer gets the Oscar if the movie wins Best Picture. He's the one who makes it all happen. Or she.

[Sussudio]

Diesleboy -- What Logan said is correct.

To expand a little -- Typically, the producer is the one who initiates a project, either through the discovery of a book, news article, idea, etc and gets the ball rolling and keeps it rolling throughout all aspects of a movie's production. This is why they are recognized if the movie goes on to win Best Picture. There are also Executive Producers who either contribute, or are instrumental in finding sources of income for the movie's budgetary expenses. In short, the producer's function leans heavily toward the business side.

A director may also bring an idea or story to fruition, and uses producers to make that happen. He is the primary creative force behind the movie, working with actors and the cinematographer to achieve the movie's lighting and visual style. On set, he is the main man (or woman). Behind the scenes, the producers are in charge (usually...depends on the director and the contracts signed).

Hope this helps

[toef]

...and editors are the red-headed step-children of the movie-making world.

[EricJ]

A producer is the Business head of the movie, a director is the Art.

Jerry Bruckheimer is a producer, but you wouldn't want him to be a director.

[jadedeath]

Originally Posted by toefer

...and editors are the red-headed step-children of the movie-making world.

Don't I know it...

I want a fade-in here... no... not THAT kind of fade-in.. one like I saw in THIS movie... yeah that's it... no... wait... change it back... I liked it better the other way... yadda yadda yadda...

Logan

[AKORIS]

the producer pays for everything to get going but has virtually nothing to do with the movie itself artistically

the director is the person that actually makes the movie and is responsible for everything from the acting to the photography to the editing.

[OrlandoEastwood]

Originally Posted by AKORIS

the producer pays for everything to get going but has virtually nothing to do with the movie itself artistically

Not really. A producer can be brought in to give input and add to the story. More or less the producer is the one who gives the project life and goes out to find people with money, this can be the executive producer, and then they hire the writer they want to give them their ideal story. Then they get their ideal director to put the story on the screen.

I know I might not be 100%, but the industry varies and nothing is really what it seems at times. What I wrote above is what I remember being taught in my film classes. This was like my second year in it.