What does a ​P​roducer actually do? Veteran producers describe their multi-faceted role​​ through all stages of filmmaking​ and wh​y Producers matter.​
Key Insights
  • A creative producer guides the project’s vision from start to finish.
  • When pitching a project, passion for the story and team will attract investors more than numbers and spreadsheets.
  • Empathy and listening are essential skills for a creative producer.
  • Conflict has many roots – including hunger. Keep your crew fed.
  • Find people who believe in your mission and hold onto them as future collaborators.
Effie Brown
Producer
Effie T. Brown is an award-winning film and television Producer, known for championing inclusion and diversity in Hollywood. more...
Diana Williams
Producer
Diana Williams’ career has revolved around storytelling – reinventing the way stories are told in new mediums, reigniting experiences on traditional platforms, and pushing the limits of technological innovation. more...
Nina Yang Bongiovi
Producer
With over 18 years of experience in the motion picture industry, Nina Yang Bongiovi has produced a number of critically acclaimed films, including FRUITVALE STATION, DOPE, SONGS MY BROTHER TAUGHT ME, ROXANNE ROXANNE and SORRY TO BOTHER YOU with her producing partner, Forest Whitaker, under their banner Significant Productions. more...
Peter Saraf
Producer
Peter Saraf’s producing credits include LOVING, THREE GENERATIONS, THE KINGS OF SUMMER, ME HIM HER, SAFETY NOT GUARANTEED, OUR IDIOT BROTHER, JACK GOES BOATING, SUNSHINE CLEANING, AWAY WE GO, IS ANYBODY THERE?, LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE, EVERYTHING IS ILLUMINATED, THE TRUTH ABOUT CHARLIE, ADAPTATION, ULEE'S GOLD, and the feature documentaries MANDELA, and THE AGRONOMIST. more...
Josh Penn
Producer
Josh Penn is a producer with the Department of Motion Pictures. He produced BEASTS OF THE SOUTHERN WILD (2012), which won the Sundance Grand Jury Prize, the Caméra d'Or at Cannes, and was nominated for four Academy Awards (including Best Picture). more...
Mary Jane Skalski
Producer
Mary Jane Skalski began her career at Good Machine where she worked on the early films of Ang Lee, Ed Burns, and Nicole Holofcener. more...
Sev Ohanian
Producer
Sev Ohanian is a writer/producer who’s been a producer on 13 feature films – including Sundance films Fruitvale Station, Results, and The Intervention. more...
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