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The Producers Guild of America’s Code of Credits for Producing Special Venues 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 special venue work so that appropriate producing credits and terms can be negotiated.

Special venue productions are characterized as visual “out-of-home entertainment” main attractions not considered to be theatrically exhibited feature films. Included in this group are:

• Alternative cinema formats (e.g. giant screen, 4D, dome, “flying rides”, motion simulators, and other non-traditional theaters)

• Media-driven themed attractions (e.g. dark rides, immersive/interactive experiences, walk-thru attractions, and media-driven stage productions)

• Location-based entertainment (LBE) - permanent or temporary interactive entertainment centers that may celebrate an intellectual property, brand, celebrity, subject, or original story.

Note: Though there is overlap, for categorization purposes, special venues that utilize XR technologies (VR, AR, MR) are not included in this group (see Immersive Media section).

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, format, purpose, funding sources, and the companies involved which are determinants in what credits are designated, and if applicable, public facing. Depending upon the company and/or companies involved and their respective backgrounds, their internal hierarchy may or may not be synonymous with film and television crediting practices.


Executive Producer
Senior Producer
Senior Creative Producer
Producer
Show Producer
Media Producer
Associate Producer
Production Coordinator
Post Production Supervisor
Post Production Coordinator
Visual Effects Producer
Visual Effects Production Manager
Visual Effects Coordinator


Executive Producer

An Executive Producer of a special venue project applies to creative and strategic contributors under one or several of the following categories:

• A Creative Director responsible for the conceptualization of the attraction, installation, or media that is exhibited, and including site selection and the integration of technologies suitable for audience experiences in a special venue setting.
• A creative producer responsible for the creation of the central film, video, or visual media that is the focus of the special venue project (including its concept, purpose, format, and characters).
• Managing or interfacing with the Owner/IP Holder, Brand Client, or Studio/Financing entity or who is directly responsible for the production, distribution, and installation.
• Company Founder or Executive Director of companies (vendor or client) that are foundational to the infrastructure of a special venue project within the categories of architecture, construction, operations, media production, and interactive development.
• Individuals with oversight of multiple special venue projects under a single company portfolio.
• Overseeing design and construction of an entire land site at a theme park (This can also be a Senior Producer. See the Senior Producer description below.)


Senior Producer / Senior Creative Producer

The Senior Producer manages the creative to ensure that the components of design, scripts, scenic, lighting, media, audio, and interactive all interface with the facility or location to create the desired experience. The Senior Producer works as a part of a team with following crucial positions:

• Project Manager - Is the lead on the construction component (e.g. plumbing, wiring, fire code, general contractor, engineering) of the special venue project and/or is responsible for managing the fabrication of elements and build-out of the physical structure or exhibition space.
• Creative Director - Is concerned with concept, design, scripts, story, show, technical direction, lighting and AV design, and media production.

Depending on the nature of the special venue project, all three positions may not be simultaneously designated. The Senior Producer can be responsible for a whole land site or multiple attractions if the special venue project is in a theme park setting. In this scenario, the oversight of a single attraction would be assigned to a Show Producer.

Note: May also receive the title of Senior Creative Producer.


Producer / Show Producer

The Producer works with both creative and technical staff in managing the day-to-day operations as well the budget and schedules of the special venue project. In a theme park setting where the Senior Producer is responsible for the entire land site, this role will have synonymous functions but apply to a single attraction. In this scenario, the position is then commonly referred to as the Show Producer.


Media Producer

If a project is particularly media (or interactive) heavy, the Media Producer will be charged with all of the typical producorial responsibilities connected with the delivery of media and will include developing mock-ups, animatics, and fly-throughs (Unreal Engine), etc. The Media Producer reports to the Project Manager and can be designated within a vendor or corporate entity.

Media Producers possess up-to-date expertise of technology (e.g. projectors, camera) and techniques and formats (e.g. animation, editing, XR) and understand the downstream implications of how media will be ultimately exhibited or utilized as part of the special venue project (e.g. projection mapping, video wall, interactive display, peppers ghost, scrim, screen, 4K or 8K resolution, large vs small format).


Associate Producer

The Associate Producer assists the Producer in a special venue production and is typically responsible for maintaining the day-to-day specifics of a particular aspect of production (e.g. schedule, logistics), and coordination efforts between various departments. They facilitate communication to ensure that the entire team is aligned with the project's objectives.


Production Coordinator

The Production Coordinator reports to the Producer. The Production Coordinator is responsible for all of the production's logistical tasks as assigned by other members of the producing team involving any or all aspects of the production. The Production Coordinator supports all members of the production team and they are instrumental in the smooth flow of communication and information exchanges between all departments.

Note: May also be referred to as the Project Coordinator.


POST PRODUCTION

Post Production Supervisor

The Post Production Supervisor may be designated and is responsible for the complete oversight of the post production department engaged in delivering film or media serving as the primary focus or supporting visual elements to the special venue project. 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.

Note: Depending on experience, instead may receive credit as Post Production Producer.

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, maintaining crew lists, etc.


VISUAL EFFECTS

Visual Effects Producer

The Visual Effects Producer has responsibility for the business and financial aspects of the visual effects (VFX) department and on the special venue project. The Visual Effects Producer reports directly to the 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 Senior Producer.
• Hiring and managing VFX staff and crew (e.g. Visual Effects Production Managers & Coordinators, Data Wranglers, etc)
• Implementing VFX production workflows
• Sending out bids and contracting VFX production houses to complete the work.


Visual Effects Production Manager

The Visual Effects Production Manager reports directly to the Visual Effects Producer and/or the Visual Effects Supervisor.

The Visual Effects Production Manager is responsible for the logistics of the VFX workflow for the special venue project, 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).


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, transmit clear information about approvals or revisions of work, coordinate with the other departments in sharing and receiving key information for production and post production.


As of 9/24/2024