Question about film production....

[Ash]

I have a question for any of you that might know the answer.

Usually when I watch the opening credits of a film they show a laundry list of "producers".

What is the difference between an "Executive Producer" and a "Producer"?

Is an executive producer a little higher up on the food chain?

[Andrew]

Here is the IMDB entry:

http://www.imdb.com/Glossary/E

In general it says that the Executive Producer is in charge of all legal and business parts of the movie.  It also states that they are involved in the final production, but stay out of technical (I am guessing that means "hands on") issues.

Glad that I checked, because my understanding of the term was different.

[Mitch McAfee]

Well from my experience I've come up with the following...

A Producer is hands on. From raising money, securing rights/actors/crew etc. Pre, production & post.

An Executive Producers credit is usually given to someone who didn't really do much actual "producing". Sometimes they may have a position of power (like a star). It's a token way of massaging an ego.

And a Line Producer handles the day to day chores.

[nshumate]

I think your definition of "executive producer" sounds a little more like "associate producer" (the catch-all credit).

The executive producer may not be terribly hands-on, but his name is important to the studio or distributor; he's the one that guarantees to them that they'll have a movie to distribute.  His name is the weight that gets thrown.