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The Producers Guild of America’s Code of Credits for Producing Non-Fiction Television 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 televised work so that appropriate producing credits and terms can be negotiated.
Executive Producer
Co-Executive Producer
Supervising Producer
Line Producer
Producer
Co-Producer
Senior Producer
Supervising Field Producer
Field Producer
Segment Producer
Production Manager
Production Coordinator
Associate Producer
Supervising Story Producer
Senior Story Producer
Story Producer
Archival Producer
Post Production Supervisor
Post Production Coordinator
Associate Producer*
*Post production
Executive Producer
The Executive Producer credit is given to the individual(s) whose only reporting responsibility is to the studio and/or companies financing and distributing the non-fiction television program or series and applies to primary creative contributors under one or several of the following categories:
• Showrunner (or Co-Showrunner) who has overall creative authority and management responsibility for the entire non-fiction program or series.
• A Producer in a creative producing role from ideation & pitch through all phases of production and/or responsible for packaging the series to the network or studio.
• Individual(s) responsible for the creation of the series, including its concept, format and characters, and the sizzle or proof of concept that secures the purchase by the network.
• A hyphenate producer who undertakes and performs critical producing functions in addition to their primary services and responsibilities.
Note: This credit does not apply to individuals who are concurrently employed as a studio, or network, or streamer executive.
Co-Executive Producer/Supervising Producer
The Co-Executive Producer reports directly and immediately to the Executive Producer, from whom the Co-Executive Producer assumes direct supervisory responsibilities for creation of the content. This includes working with the Executive Producers to shape a birds eye vision for the production and workflow, as well as acting as a hands-on bridge to the rest of the production team in order to execute the vision on a day-to-day basis throughout the production timeline.
For high budget reality series and some mid-level budget series with a high episodic count the Co-Executive Producer may have functions focused solely on physical production or post production. For series with a large episodic order, the Co-Executive Producer(s) may alternate supervision of episodes during the production phase.
The credit of Co-Executive Producer may apply to the primary creative contributors of the non-fiction production that qualify under one of the following categories based on experience and body of work:
• A Producer in a senior creative producing role.
• Individual(s) responsible for the creation of the series, including its concept, format and characters, and the sizzle or proof of concept that secures the purchase by the network.
• A hyphenate producer who undertakes and performs critical producing functions in addition to their primary services and responsibilities.
Note: May also be given the title of Supervising Producer.
Line Producer
The individual receiving the Line Producer credit reports directly and immediately to the Executive Producer. The individual receiving the Line Producer credit has the primary responsibility for the logistics of the production of the series, from pre-production through delivery of each episode. All below the line department heads report directly to the Line Producer.
Senior Producer
The Senior Producer reports directly to the Executive Producer, Co-Executive Producer, and/or Supervising Producer. The Senior Producer credit may apply to creative contributors of the non-fiction series or program that qualify under one of the following categories:
• While tasked with logistics, a producer engaged in the creation of content for a small production company and/or a low-budget series.
• A lead producer supervising other producers on large episodic series order or high-budget series.
Producer
The Producer reports directly to the Senior Producer, Supervising Producer and/or Co-Executive Producer, and/or the Executive Producer. A Producer is a creative contributor that may supervise a single individual episode in non-fiction series with a large episodic order or performs a specific function on the series such as conducting cast interviews with a required understanding of the various story arcs unfolding that are critical to the story.
Co-Producer
The credit of Co-Producer reports directly to the Executive Producer and/or Co-Executive Producer or Supervising Producer. The Co-Producer is responsible for the preparation, logistics, and production of a single complete episode of a series.
PHYSICAL PRODUCTION
Supervising Field Producer
A Supervising Field Producer reports to the Series Producer or Executive Producer and is responsible for directing multiple production teams.
This role includes:
• Overseeing a team or all teams outside of a controlled studio environment.
• Directing productions in the field outside of a studio environment and conducting filmed interviews.
• Researching story beats, planning production shoot days, and tracking budget for own segments or stories they oversee.
• Overseeing all aspects of field production, which includes Camera Operators, Sound Mixers, Associate Producers, Production Assistants, Drivers, Grips, and Gaffers.
• Managing and facilitating the needs of talent.
Field Producer
A Field Producer reports to the Supervising Producer, Series Producer and/or Executive Producer, or the Supervising Field Producer, if one is designated on the series.
This role includes:
• Directing productions in the field outside of a studio environment and conducting filmed interviews.
• Researching story beats, planning production shoot days, tracking budgets for their own segments or stories they oversee.
• Overseeing all aspects of production, including Camera Operators, Sound Mixers, Associate Producers, Production Assistants, Drivers, Grips, and Gaffers.
• Overlapping responsibility with the Supervising Producer for managing and facilitating the needs of talent.
Note: This position may also be called Field Director.
Segment Producer
The Segment Producer reports to the Supervising Producer, Series Producer and/or Executive Producer, or the Supervising Field Producer, or if designated, a Supervising Post Production Producer which is an office, field, or post production position. They are responsible for producing one or more individual segments of a multi-segment production.
This role includes:
• Preparing episodes for field production, including but not limited to pre-interviews, shoot logistics, story conception, scouting and booking locations, and the creation of shot lists.
• The position may oversee all production units during production, including camera operators, sound mixers, make-up artists, gaffers, grips, Associate Producers and Production Assistants.
Note: This position may also apply to titles which are derived from their designation over area specific components of the production. Those titles may include but are not limited to Challenge Producer, Content Producer, Consulting Producer or Food Producer.
Production Manager
The Production Manager reports directly to the individual performing the Line Producer functions (e.g., Line Producer, "Produced By", Executive in Charge) and carries overlapping responsibility for the production logistics of the series, from pre-production through the completion of production. The Production Manager's responsibilities include all set and location logistics, day-to-day production implementation, locations, facilities, equipment, budget, schedules, and personnel.
This role includes:
• Working with the "Produced By", Line Producer, Producer, Co-Producer and/or Post Production Supervisor to determine staffing and personnel needs.
• Managing the production calendar and working primarily with the "Produced By" and First Assistant Director to develop the production schedule.
• Managing the operating budget and financial aspects of shoots with significant cost and budgetary reporting to the individual performing the Line Producer functions.
• Overseeing the production office staff (Production Coordinator, Assistant Production Coordinator, and Production Assistants).
• Responsible for payroll set up, disbursement for staff/crew/vendors, approving time cards and call sheets, and the hiring and dismissing of crew.
• Responsible for cast & crew transportation, housing and lodging accommodations, and per diem as needed.
Working with the Line Producer, or "Produced By", or EIC, and Production Coordinator to institute set/location safety.
Production Coordinator
The Production Coordinator reports to the Production Manager and/or the individual performing the "Produced By"/Line Producer functions, and executes assigned logistical functions involving any or all aspects of the non fiction program or series production.
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, insurance, crew deal memos, travel and shipping, call sheets, production reports, cast and crew lists, and compliance with various union report requirements.
The Production Coordinator may function as part of a team of Coordinators covering either separate episodes or separate functions within an episode (field vs. office), or separate shifts (day vs. night).
Note: May also be given the title of Field Coordinator.
Associate Producer
The Associate Producer reports directly to the Executive Producer, Producer, Co-Producer, Segment Producer, Supervising Field Producer, or Field Producer.
An Associate Producer is responsible for supporting the Producer, Executive Producer, Segment Producer or Field Producer by performing those producing functions assigned below.
This role includes:
• Identifying interview subjects and creating hot sheets and cast bios. Conducting phone pre-interviews. Managing cast or liaison between cast/contestants and the Producer by relaying any valuable information on a day-to-day basis.
• Creating cast and crew contact lists and keeping records of updated scripts.
• Researching or working with the Researcher to confirm research list or providing research elements as requested by Producers for story or challenge ideas.
• Logging field notes and documenting story outlines, credits list, rights & clearances, image/material releases, challenge grids, guest/judge grids, contestant grids, story grids, winner/loser grids.
• Liaising between the Producer and Production Management and working together to provide reimbursement requests and maintaining their portion of the budget.
• Finding locations and/or working with a Location Manager.
• Scheduling the shoot dates, times and locations. Creating a production schedule and sending it to the cast and crew. Preparing Production Binders.
• Overseeing logging and transcriptions. Overseeing the B-roll list by working with the camera department.
• Drafting the post production schedule if no Post Production Producer is designated. Completing wrap binders and fulfilling deliverables.
Note: May also be given the title of Associate Segment Producer or Associate Field Producer. The Associate Producer does not apply to individual(s) who primarily function as a Researcher or Talent Booker.
Supervising Story Producer
The Supervising Story Producer reports to the Supervising Producer, Series Producer and/or Executive Producer and is responsible for overseeing all of the creative during the post production process; typically for multiple storylines or programs in a series. Supervising Story Producers can be designated as early as the preproduction phase on well resourced, prepared, and funded productions This credit goes to a seasoned Story Producer who works closely with the Executive Producer to help maintain the creative vision.
This role includes:
• Assembling and writing scripts from existing footage from the field, finding stock footage, directing the edit, and researching and fact checks.
• Directs production of graphic elements, sound design and color correction, which may involve editing.
• May also supervise editors, additional writers, graphic designers, animators, sound designers, associate producers, and production assistants.
• Plays a role in guiding interviews and story during production (often from post production and sometimes in the field), not just in edit.
• Directing teams of Story Producers (e.g., assigning episodes, story arcs, and scripts). They manage delivery of scripts and help review and oversee creative of cuts in edit and often direct and manage creative for any necessary pickup shooting to ensure delivery of strong episodes.
Note: May also be given the title of Post Production Producer.
Senior Story Producer/Story Producer
The Senior Story Producer/Story Producer reports to the Series Producer and/or Executive Producer or Supervising Story Producer, if there is one on the series. They are responsible for overseeing creative during post production of a non-fiction series or program. Story Producers can be designated as early as the preproduction phase on well resourced, prepared, and funded productions. The position can be carried out either in the post production office/facility, or remotely from the individual’s residence while interacting with people in the field or studio.
This role includes:
• Assembling and writing scripts from existing footage from the field, finding stock footage, directing the edit, researching and fact checking.
• Directing the production of graphic elements, sound design and color correction, which may involve editing.
• May also involve supervising editors, additional writers, graphic designers, animators, sound designers, associate producers, and production assistants.
Note: May also be given the title of Post Production Producer.
Archival Producer
The Archival Producer reports directly to the Producer and is responsible for research or stock footage, acquisition and organization of materials, budgeting, and clearance rights. The Archival Producer works closely with the Producer, Director, and Editor in assessing and selecting footage and materials needed for the project. Though primarily employed during post production, Archival Producers can be involved as early as preproduction on non-fiction productions that are heavily or predominantly composed of archival material.
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, the hiring of an Archival Producer may not occur.
POST PRODUCTION
Post Production Supervisor
The Post Production Supervisor reports directly to the Co-Producer, Line Producer and/or Executive Producers and is responsible for overseeing the technical aspects of post production. This includes managing workflow, scheduling, and coordinating the various stages of post production, such as editing, composer work, visual effects, color correction, animations and final delivery. The Post Production Supervisor ensures that the project stays on schedule and within budget while meeting the creative and technical standards set by the producing team.
This role includes:
• Responsibility for all post-related activities and personnel hires.
• Negotiate contracts for post production services.
• Working closely with the “Produced By” Producer to institute post production workflows.
• Revising and managing post budgets and schedules.
• Liaison between the producing team and the technical team (e.g., editors, composers, colorists, and mixers).
Note: Depending on their level of experience and body of work, the individual performing the Post Production Supervisor functions may receive the credit of Associate Producer or Co-Producer.
Post Production Coordinator
The Post Production Coordinator reports directly to the Post Production Supervisor and is responsible for facilitating post production functions as assigned by the Post Production Supervisor. This can entail interaction with various studio and post production departments concerning any and all aspects of the logistics of post production, such as working with the vendors, helping to prepare crew deal memos, scheduling ADR, making travel arrangements, distributing paperwork, and maintaining crew lists.
This role includes:
• Supervising Post Production Assistants.
• Responsibility for distributing all cuts.
• Responsibility for issuing purchase orders, final paperwork by post personnel, and preparing final delivery paperwork.
• Assisting with the acquisition of stock footage and clearances.
• Assisting with managing daily operations for the post/editorial department.
Associate Producer
The Associate Producer reports directly to the Executive Producer, Producer, Co-Producer and/or Post Production Supervisor and is responsible for research and clearances on all creative elements in cuts.
This role includes:
• Researching stock footage, news footage, and any other ancillary materials needed.
• Tracking license fees, providing cost reports per episode for ancillary materials, and obtaining all documentation of rights and clearance for final delivery.
• Working closely with the Post Production Coordinator on creating wrap binders.