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The Producers Guild of America’s Code of Credits for Producing Short Films 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 films so that appropriate producing credits and terms can be negotiated.
Produced By/Producer
Executive Producer
Co-Producer
Line Producer
Production Manager
Production Coordinator
Associate 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 documentary/non-fiction genre:
Segment Producer
Field Producer
Story Producer
Archival Producer
Produced By/Producer
For short films, the Produced By/Producer (collectively "Produced By") credit is the primary producer.
The "Produced By" credit applies to individuals primarily responsible for managing a short film's production and delivery. This role involves personally making regular, continuous, and substantial decisions regarding production, budgetary, and legal concerns in a constructive and responsible manner across the film’s four stages of production. A primary producer's responsibilities across the four stages of production typically include performance of the following producing functions in a decision-making capacity:
A. Development: Developing the film's concept, selecting the subject, securing rights and initial funding, selecting the writer (if applicable), and guiding the development process.
B. Pre-production: Selecting key creative and physical production team members, location scouting, and overseeing the final script, final schedule, and final budget.
C. Production: Overseeing daily operations on set, consulting with and resolving issues raised by the key physical production and creative staff, and liaising with financial, studio and/or distribution partners.
D. Post production & Marketing: Engaging closely with post production teams and strategizing on marketing and distribution.
Executive Producer
The Executive Producer credit only applies to an individual who has made essential contributions that typically include the following:
1. Being an advocate or champion during the early production phases by lending their expertise, counsel, influence, and resources in service towards the legitimacy and manifestation of the production, and securing financing during those early phases (i.e. ideation, development, pre-production), assuming risk prior to the attraction of financing entities during later phases of the production; AND
• The financing secured is an essential portion (no less than 25%); -AND/OR-
• Making a significant contribution to the development of the literary property, typically including the securement of the underlying rights to the material on which the short film is based.
The individual credit does not apply to outside individuals or late phase participants whose primary role, involvement, or employment with the production is one or more of the following: Vendor, Sales Agent, Business Affairs, Legal Affairs, Crowdfunding, Completion Guarantor, Distributor, Distribution Aggregator, Public Relations, Studio/Network/Streamer Executive, Governmental Liaison.
Note: The individual credit does not apply to someone who only 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.
2. When in rare or unique circumstances and at the discretion of the primary producer, a partner or an individual from a partnering entity exceeds the normal intent and purpose of their role, and rises to a deciding opinion on business and creative decisions.
Note: The individual credit is not granted in lieu of monetary compensation.
Line Producer/Co-Producer
The Co-Producer/Line Producer reports directly to the primary producer on short films.
The Co-Producer/Line Producer is the single individual who has the primary responsibility for the budget and logistics of the short film's production, from pre-production through completion of production. All below-the-line department heads report to the Co-Producer/Line Producer.
If both a separate Line Producer and Production Manager are employed, the Co-Producer credit may be granted to the Production Manager reporting directly to the primary producers.
Note: The individual credit is not granted in lieu of monetary compensation.
PHYSICAL PRODUCTION
Production Manager
The Production Manager reports directly to the individual performing the Line Producer functions, 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 various factors such as but not limited to the production's scale and scope, union vs non-union status, and whether produced independently or within a studio system.
This role includes:
• Working with the primary producer, Line Producer, Producer, Co-Producer and/or Post Production Supervisor to • prepare the budget and determine staffing.
• Managing and adjusting the production calendar and working primarily with the Co-Producer/Line Producer and First Assistant Director to develop the production schedule.
• Managing the below-the-line budget and financial aspects of principal photography and secondary 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).
• Setting up the production office in coordination with the Production Coordinator.
• Working with various unions to submit and finalize contracts.
• Responsible for payroll set-up, disbursement for staff/crew/vendors, approving time cards and call sheets, and the hiring and dismissing of crew.
• Overseeing the preliminary search and survey of all locations. Administering the business arrangements for securing locations. Serve as liaison with local authorities and governmental entities regarding locations and the operation of the company.
• Responsible for cast & crew transportation, housing and lodging accommodations, and per diem as needed.
Production Coordinator
The Production Coordinator reports to the Production Supervisor and/or Production Manager and/or the individual performing the Line Producer functions, and executes assigned logistical functions involving any or all aspects of the 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 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 is a support role and is tasked with one or more essential producing functions traditionally performed by another member of the producing team. The Associate Producer credit is granted sparingly at the discretion of the primary producer.
Note: The Associate Producer does not apply to individual(s) who primarily function as an assistant.
Segment/Field Producer (doc only)
A Segment/Field Producer reports to the primary producer, and/or Co-Producer, and/or Director on the documentary short film.
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.
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 a Segment/Field Producer may not occur.
Story Producer (doc only)
The Senior Story Producer/Story Producer reports to the primary producer if employed, who is responsible for overseeing creative in the post production of a documentary short film. 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, research 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.
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 a Story Producer may not occur.
Archival Producer (doc only)
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
POST PRODUCTION
Post Production Supervisor
The Post Production Supervisor reports directly to the primary producer 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. Their involvement may also include recommendations regarding music selection, voice-over, and other creative elements that contribute to the overall tone and style of the short film.
An individual who performs the Post Production Supervisor responsibilities while employed with a vendor post production house may be granted the Post Production Supervisor credit. In addition, a Post Production Supervisor 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.
Post Production Coordinator
The Post Production Coordinator reports directly to the Post Production Supervisor, and/or primary producer or their designate.
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 short film 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 on the short film production. In addition, the Visual Effects Producer position includes those who receive screen credit while employed with vendor-side VFX production houses contracted to provide artistic VFX work for the short film. The Visual Effects Producer may not be designated due to 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 Visual Effects Producer reports directly to the primary 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 producer.
• Hiring and managing VFX staff and crew (e.g., Visual Effects Production Managers & Coordinators, and 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.
The Visual Effects Producer credit does not apply to individual(s) whose primary role is the Visual Effects Supervisor.
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.