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Producing

The smooth running of any production is essential and a director cannot necessarily undertake everything which is required. Thus a producer is enlisted to make sure nothing gets missed owing to lack of time or resources and to support the production in any capacity required.

A producer needs to be aware of all tasks and their requirements and as an experienced member, facilitates novice directors to start out under less pressure.

The producer’s first rôle is to ascertain exactly what tasks need to be undertaken for the particular production. The second stage is to find people to take on these tasks and make them aware of exactly what they are expected to do. During the run up to the show the producer must liaise with all those involved to check that all is on schedule, solve any problems which may arise and arrange any additional help if required. Lastly they need to be aware of everything that needs to be done and ensure that it is done, properly and on time.

One of the rôles specific to the producer is that of formulating a budget, which needs to be submitted to the committee in advance of the shows approval. It is then key to ensure that those people spending money know their limits and keep to them. There is no point setting a limit on the amount that can be spent hiring costumes and then not telling the person hiring them what the limit is.

It would be an impossible task to list everything that a producer has to do, suffice it to say if all runs smoothly the producers job could be the easiest of the lot. However, when do things ever run smoothly? In essence it is here that ‘the buck stops’ and though potentially stressful it can be very rewarding.