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The Producers Guild of America’s Code of Credits for Digital Short Form is intended to serve as a resource for the entertainment community. We hope that it will help to inform and educate producers and companies regarding the varied and involved work performed by producers of short form work so that appropriate producing credits and terms can be negotiated.
The Digital Short Form category consists of professionally produced, best-in-class, storytelling & entertainment-driven video content. Additionally, this content:
• Consists of alternative formats and platforms that do not fall under the legacy domain of feature film and television (broadcast or streaming).
• Is produced for the internet and social audiences with wide availability online (no prior or concurrent telecast, TV streaming, or theatrical exhibition) and is viewed primarily (but not exclusively) on 3rd screen devices (i.e. smartphones, tablets, laptop/desktop screens).
• Is not an advertisement or commercial derivative, and is not disproportionately composed of repurposed material.
Note: While this section is intended to capture and inform on the customary producing team positions, the PGA is cognizant that productions in this space can vary by genre, budget, and funding sources which can be determinants in what credits are designated, and if applicable, internally or public facing.
Executive Producer
Producer
Co-Producer
Line Producer
Production Manager
Production Coordinator
Associate Producer
Post Production Producer
Post Production Supervisor
Post Production Coordinator
Visual Effects Producer
Visual Effects Associate Producer
Visual Effects Production Manager
Visual Effects Coordinator
Additional credits applicable to limited to unscripted formats (e.g., documentary/non-fiction):
Segment Producer
Field Producer
Story Producer
Archival Producer
Executive Producer
For a digital short form production, the Executive Producer credit is the primary producing credit.
The Executive Producer is a primary creative contributor who is most completely responsible for a digital short form project's vision, storytelling, audience experience and production. The Executive Producer will conceive of the underlying premise of the production or select the material. They will select and approve the project's creative, talent, and technology principals, secure the necessary rights when applicable and initial financing, and supervise any development that may occur.
The Executive Producer will approve the final shooting script, production schedule, and integration/encoding plan of the final assets, and will oversee daily operations and resolve any issues raised by the physical production and/or creative staff. The Executive Producer may be present or designate a Producer to be physically present on set or on location.
The Executive Producer has final approval of any applicable animation or VFX shots during post production. The Executive Producer will consult with engineering teams when applicable, so as to maintain the highest possible quality on various digital distribution platforms (e.g., compressed or modified via frame rate, color depth, or bit rate). The Executive Producer will ensure the delivery of assets and/or strategic launch or release of the final product.
For Executive Producers that are not the primary producers, the credit shall only apply to an individual who is a primary creative contributor to the digital short form production and who qualifies under one of the following categories:
• Having secured an essential and proportionately significant part of the financing for the project; -OR-
• Responsibility for the creation of the project, including its concept or subject matter, format and characters.
• Having made a significant contribution to the development of the source property typically including the securement of rights to the material; -OR-
• Managing, interacting, or collaborating, with the owner/IP holder, or brand client, or the studio/financing entity who is directly responsible for the production and distribution.
Unlike feature films and television, the Executive Producer may also hold a corporate or executive title (e.g., EVP/VP of Digital Media, EVP/VP of Digital Strategy, EVP/VP of Creative Content, EVP/VP of Originals, Product Executive, Project Director) where the ideation, creation, and distribution may occur within a single entity. Holding such an executive position does not entitle an individual to an Executive Producer credit as a matter of course. Exercising decision making authority over significant producing functions is the primary determinant that equates such executive titles to the credit of Executive Producer. The Executive Producer may come from a company that is singularly responsible for both production and distribution, or may work as a vendor servicing a brand client, or work for a company engaged in a multi-entity effort or partnership.
Note: The individual credit does not apply to someone who provides or arranges financing (regardless of the sum) and has no managerial or creative duties on the production beyond the fiduciary oversight of their investment.
Producer
The primary role of the Producer is to execute assigned projects by the Executive Producer(s), and fulfill business unit, advertisement sponsor, and brand client requirements in the course of completing the project on time and within the budget. The Producer will typically act as the liaison between the Executive Producer and production team and is physically present on the primary set or location. The Producer will serve as the point person for the execution of the project and is thus responsible for connecting the appropriate teams working on the project.
The Producer has oversight of a single or multiple producers in the performance of some or all of their work, either in place of, alongside, or subject to the authority of the Executive Producer. The Producer credit can also include individuals who work with both creative and technical departments in managing the day-to-day operations and workflows of at least one of the production phases.
Note: Other titles and functions that may be synonymous include Project Manager, Post Production Producer, Animation Producer, Show Producer, Supervising Producer, Senior Producer, or Co-Executive Producer.
Line Producer / Co-Producer
The Line Producer is the single individual who has the primary responsibility for the budget and logistics of the production, from pre-production through completion of production. The Line Producer reports directly to the Producer and/or Executive Producer on digital short form productions. The individual performing the Line Producer functions may also receive the credit of Co-Producer.
PHYSICAL PRODUCTION
Production Manager
The Production Manager reports directly to the individual performing the Line Producer functions, or Producer, and/or Executive Producer, and from pre-production through the completion of production is responsible for all physical production matters which include day-to-day production decisions, set and location logistics, and personnel/staffing management. In some instances, the Production Manager is the Line Producer which may depend on a variety of factors such as the production's budget and scale, union vs non-union status, and whether produced independently or within a studio system.
Production Coordinator
The Production Coordinator interacts with various studio and production departments and is responsible for facilitating production requirements including, but not limited to, equipment contracts, purchase orders, film inventory when applicable, insurance, day player contracts, crew deal memos, travel and shipping, call sheets, production reports, cast and crew lists, and compliance with various union report requirements.
Associate Producer
The Associate Producer credit is given to the individual(s) who support the Producer in a digital short form production and are typically responsible for executing day-to-day tasks of a specific aspect of the production and coordination efforts between departments.
Segment/Field Producer (unscripted only)
A Segment/Field Producer reports to the Co-Producer, and/or Producer, or Executive Producer, and/or Director.
This role includes:
• Directing productions in the field outside of a studio environment and conducting filmed interviews.
• Researching story beats, story tracking, planning production shoot days, tracking budgets for assigned segments or stories.
• Overseeing all aspects of field production, including Camera Operators, Sound Mixers, Associate Producers, Production Assistants, Drivers, Grips, and Gaffers.
• Managing and facilitating the needs of talent.
Note: Segment/Field Producer may not be designated due to various factors such as the scale and scope of the project, concept and subject matter, and whether produced independently or within a studio/network/streamer setting.
Story Producer (unscripted only)
The Senior Story Producer/Story Producer reports to the primary producing credit if employed, and is responsible for overseeing creative in post production. Story Producers can be designated as early as the preproduction phase on well resourced, prepared, and funded productions.
This role includes:
• Assembling and writing scripts from existing footage from the field, finding stock footage, directing the edit, and researching and fact checks.
• Directing the production of graphic elements, sound design and color correction, which may involve editing.
• Duties may also include supervising editors, additional writers, graphic designers, animators, sound designers, associate producers, and production assistants.
Note: Story Producer may not be designated due to various factors such as the scale and scope of the project, concept and subject matter, and whether produced independently or within a studio/network/streamer setting.
Archival Producer (unscripted only)
The Archival Producer reports directly to the primary producing credit and is responsible for research or stock footage, acquisition and organization of materials, budgeting, and clearance rights. The Archival Producer works closely with the Executive Producer, Director, and Editor in assessing and selecting footage and materials needed for the project.
Note: Archival Producer may not be designated due to various factors such as the scale and scope of the project, concept and subject matter, and whether produced independently or within a studio/network/streamer setting. If an Archival Producer is not designated, these functions may be carried out by a Researcher, Rights & Clearances, or a Post Production Supervisor.
POST PRODUCTION
Post Production Supervisor
The Post Production Supervisor reports directly to primary producing credit, and/or Co-Producer, and/or Line Producer, and is responsible for the complete oversight of the post production department. Depending on the nature of the production, the Post Production Supervisor may be more involved in the creative and editorial aspects of the post production process.
The Post Production Supervisor may oversee the editing process, providing feedback and guidance for the primary producer, director, and other creative stakeholders. In low budget or nimble production settings, their involvement may encompass functions that would be traditionally performed by designated positions such as an Archival Producer or VFX Coordinator.
Note: Post Production Supervisor may not be designated due to various factors such as the scale and scope of the project, concept and subject matter, and whether produced independently or within a studio/network/streamer setting.
Post Production Coordinator
The Post Production Coordinator is responsible for facilitating post production functions as assigned by the Post Production Supervisor. These functions can involve interaction with various studio and post production departments, and concern any and all aspects of post production logistics such as working with vendors, helping to prepare crew deal memos, purchase orders, scheduling ADR, making travel arrangements, distributing paperwork, distributing cuts, and maintaining crew lists.
VISUAL EFFECTS
Visual Effects Producer
The Visual Effects Producer credit only applies to a digital short form production that contains significant visual effects of substantial cost and duration.
The Visual Effects Producer has responsibility for the business and financial aspects of the visual effects (VFX) department and on the digital short form production. The Visual Effects Producer may not be designated due to the scale and scope of the project, concept and subject matter, and whether produced independently or within a studio/network/streamer setting.
The Visual Effects Producer reports directly to the Executive Producer and/or Visual Effects Supervisor.
This role includes:
• Developing and overseeing the VFX budget and schedule in collaboration with the Visual Effects Supervisor, Director, and the Primary Producing Credit.
• Hiring and managing VFX staff and crew (e.g., Visual Effects Production Managers & Coordinators, Data Wranglers).
• Implementing VFX production workflows.
• Responsible for VFX aspects during principal photography
• Sending out bids and contracting VFX production houses to complete the work.
Visual Effects Associate Producer
The Visual Effects Associate Producer performs one or more VFX managerial and logistical functions or tasks assigned by the Visual Effects Producer or the Visual Effects Supervisor.
Visual Effects Production Manager
The Visual Effects Production Manager reports directly to the Visual Effects Producer and/or the Visual Effects Supervisor. On high budget projects or productions with a large VFX department the Visual Effects Production Manager will perform assigned tasks from both the Visual Effects Associate Producer and Visual Effects Producer.
The Visual Effects Production Manager is responsible for the logistics of the VFX workflow for the feature film, from pre-production through delivery of all VFX work, and/or assuming many of the day-to-day tasks of the Visual Effects Producer which may include selecting and procuring VFX vendors, budgeting & scheduling, department management, and staffing such as overseeing Visual Effects Coordinator(s).
Note: This position may also be credited as Visual Effects Production Supervisor or Visual Effects Co-Producer.
Visual Effects Coordinator
The Visual Effects Coordinator reports directly to the Visual Effects Production Manager and/or Visual Effects Producer.
The Visual Effects Coordinator facilitates VFX workflow as assigned by the Visual Effects Production Manager which can involve interaction with various production and post production departments concerning all logistical aspects of visual effects. The Visual Effects Coordinator tracks data captured on set or in creative reviews with the filmmakers, transmits clear information about approvals or revisions of work, and coordinates with the other departments in sharing and receiving key information for shooting and post production.
Note: Visual Effects Coordinator may not be designated due to various factors such as the scale and scope of the project, concept and subject matter, and whether produced independently or within a studio/network/streamer setting. In such scenarios, the Post Production Supervisor will perform these functions.