Producers have the most complete entrepreneurial profile in our industry.
It’s time everyone recognised it… including themselves.
When you think of producers, what standard qualities come to mind?
Quick-thinkers, problem solvers, project wranglers, travel agents, budget controllers, time keepers, party planners, tourist guides, therapists.
They're rarely described as entrepreneurial.
Production is deeply rooted in enterprise.
Every production shares the same characteristics as setting up and running a business.
The entrepreneurial spirit is ingrained in a producer's DNA.
Every step they take has a business equivalent.
⚡ 1. Assessing the Brief = Conducting Market Research (R&D)
The second a producer gets eyes on a brief, a script, a google slide, a badly formatted word doc, a 120 slide deck or a scribble on a post it, they immediately go into R&D mode, working out the best way to execute the production, to get the best product out.
Investigating; market gaps/opportunities, supply chain, locations, equipment, construction, manufacturing, recruitment, workflows, organisational structure, financial forecasting and modelling, fundraising, tax incentives and focus groups… that may or may not be down the pub.
⚡ 2. Planning the Production = The Business Plan
Across a variety of complex paperwork (budget, schedules, PIBS etc) producers outline the production goals, methods to achieve them and the likely outcomes.
It serves as a roadmap for the production, guiding its structure, operations and growth - including timelines, production strategies and financial projections.
And they are ready to rip it up and start again and pivot consistently.
⚡ 3. The Budget = Running a P&L:
Producers are responsible for the financial health of the production.
Visibility on your margins and P&L is vital for making the right creative decisions and identifying key areas to invest in.
Cashflow is intrinsic to any production or business and maintaining a healthy one is instrumental to success.
Those wrap party rounds of drinks won’t pay for themselves.
⚡ 4. Crewing up = Human Resources
A successful production is built upon the team that a producer builds around it.
Often hiring anywhere from 10 to 150 people all in a matter of a few weeks.
Each phase of production has different sets of people, and all their backgrounds and skillsets vary wildly.
Producers are adept at managing different personalities, motivating them, and ensuring everyone is communicating with each other, and pulling in the same direction.
⚡ 5. Legal & Insurance = …well… Legal and Insurance
There is a lot of wrangling, finessing, back and forth with every piece of paper that goes through that production.
PIBs, contracts, agreements, lawyers, council permits, road closures, police liaison, child licenses, high speed chases, explosions & firearms, eccentric items on celebrity riders.
You know, the mundane paperwork and admin like any other business.
Harnessing a Producer’s holistic and complete skill set would help transform your business.
Your team building should be centred around them.
What other entrepreneurial qualities do you think Producer’s have ?