Major Project- Producing Research

As for this project I am a producer I decided to do some research on what producers do. The Independent have written an article in which they state what producers are, it is a good read but lacks depth.
With quotes such as this the Independent are explaining the role but not in a in-depth manner.

But from this article I came across Rebecca O'Brien a long time short film producer. She has an impressive CV and did not start as a producer but moved into that line of work later on. 

While looking for more about her and her work I found a video on the BFI website- Rebecca O'Brien, she explains how she produced a difficult political film. She also explains as a producer how you are needed on the set of the film, being hands on, helping to trouble shoot and you are personally involved in making the film.

Other websites such as Prospects, have made a list of what a producer does: 

"Responsibilities

Producers are responsible for facilitating a project and are involved in every stage of the television programme, film or video, overseeing the project from beginning to end, both in the studio and on location.

Essentially team leaders, they are supported by production assistants, coordinators and managers, depending on the size of the project.

Tasks include:

• raising funding;
• reading, researching and assessing ideas and finished scripts;
• commissioning writers or securing the rights to novels, plays or screenplays;
• building and developing a network of contacts;
• liaising and discussing projects with financial backers - projects can range from a small, corporate video costing £500 to a multimillion-pound-budget Hollywood feature film;
• using computer software packages for screenwriting, budgeting and scheduling;
• hiring key staff, including a director and a crew to shoot programmes, films or videos;
• controlling the budget and allocating resources;
• pulling together all the strands of creative and practical talent involved in the project to create a team;
• maintaining contemporary technical skills;
• organising shooting schedules - dependent on the type of producer and availability of support staff;
• troubleshooting;
• ensuring compliance with relevant regulations, codes of practice and health and safety laws;
• supervising the progress of the project from production to post production;
• holding regular meetings with the director to discuss characters and scenes;
• acting as a sounding board for the director;
• bringing the finished production in on budget.

In theory, the producer deals with all the practical and political aspects of keeping a project running smoothly, so that the director and the rest of the team can concentrate on the creative aspects.

From this it gives a list of responsibilities that the producer should be doing and should be making sure happens. With the use of this list I will make sure that the production comes together and I can try to make Grit the best from a producers role.

The skills that this website think you need are;

"Skills

You will need to have:

• confidence in their own ability;
• strong communication and people skills;
• presentation and pitching skills;
• strong time and resource management skills;
• creative ability;
• the ability to cope under pressure;
• a strong head for figures;
• leadership skills."

From these skills I will be able to determine what I will need to be like in order to make the filming run smoothly.