Frequently Asked Questions
At the PGA, among the questions most frequently asked are questions concerning the various different producer titles currently in use, and what they imply. "What does a Producer do?", "What does an Executive Producer do?", "What does an Associate Producer do?", etc. etc. There is understandable confusion. The following are the answers we give in respect to some of the titles most commonly used, along with answers to other general questions.
What does a Producer do?
A Producer initiates, coordinates, supervises and controls, either on his own authority, or subject to the authority of an employer, all aspects of the motion-picture and/or television production process, including creative, financial, technological and administrative. A Producer is involved throughout all phases of production from inception to completion, including coordination, supervision and control of all other talents and crafts, subject to the provisions of their collective bargaining agreements and personal service contracts.
What does an Executive Producer do?
An Executive Producer supervises, either on his own authority (entrepreneur executive producer) or subject to the authority of an employer (employee executive producer) one or more producers in the performance of all of his/her/their producer functions on single or multiple productions. In television, an Executive Producer may also be the Creator/Writer of a series.
What does an Associate Producer do?
An Associate Producer performs one or more producer functions delegated to him/her by a producer, under the supervision of such producer.
What does a Co-Producer do?
Co-Producers are two or more functioning producers who perform jointly or cumulatively all of the producer functions as a team or group.
What does a Supervising Producer do?
A Supervising Producer supervises one or more producers in the performance of some or all of his/her/their producer functions, on single or multiple productions, either in place of, or subject to the overriding authority of an Executive Producer.
What does a Segment Producer do?
A Segment Producer produces one or more individual segments of a multi-segment production, also containing individual segments produced by others.
What does a Coordinating Producer do?
A Coordinating Producer coordinates the work of two or more individual producers working separately on single or multiple productions in order to achieve a unified end result.
What does a Line Producer do?
A Line Producer performs the Producer functions involved in supervising the physical aspects of the making of a motion picture or television production where the creative decision-making process is reserved to others, except to such extent as the Line Producer is permitted to participate. Unit Production Managers, who perform no more than the customary services of a Unit Production Manager should be credited only as such.
Do I have to join the PGA to be employed as a Producer?
No. We are a professional association, not a union.
What are the fees involved in becoming a PGA member?
Aside from the Application Fee ($35), there are two sets of fees required upon joining.
- Initiation Fees The Initiation Fee for the Producers Council is $725, and for the AP Council and the New Media Council it's $350. Unless and until applicants are working for a signatory company under a guild shop contract negotiated by the PGA, they shall be obligated to pay only one-third of the applicable Initiation Fee on submitting their application and an additional one-fifth on January 2nd of each succeeding year, until the applicable initiation fee has been paid in full. Should any applicant, during subsequent membership, commence working for a signatory company under a guild shop contract negotiated by the PGA, the full balance then owing will become due and payable at that time. AP Council applicants who later become eligible for full Producer membership shall be subject to an increase in their Initiation Fee payments to the full Producers Council rate, at that time.
- Annual Dues Annual Dues for Producers Council members are $350, (payable semi-annually on January 1st & July 1st of each year). Annual Dues for AP Council members and New Media Council are $150, (payable semi-annually on January 1st & July 1st of each year).
Does the PGA have a Health & Welfare and Pension Plan?
The employer paid plan: Members working for AMPTP-member companies either directly or as a loan-out, in theatrical motion pictures or prime time network television are entitled to contributions to the Motion Picture Industry Pension and Health Plan.
What other benefits are offered by the PGA to its members?
In addition to being able to network with an elite mixture of peers, other benefits of joining the Producers Guild of America are that your PGA membership card entitles you to view special screenings of motion pictures at Academy Award time; access to the Interguild Federal Credit Union; invitation to the Annual Producers Guild Awards; subscription to the PGA "Produced By" Newsletter; participation in the Board of Directors elections; and eligibility to serve on various PGA Committees. Participation in Producer/Educational seminars and regular meetings are also offered.
Are there established pay rates or minimums for Producers?
The PGA does not have an industry-wide Minimum Basic Agreement at this time, so pay rates are subject to negotiation in ones Personal Service Contract.
Does the PGA supply form contracts?
We have an extensive library of contracts available to our members in our Resource Center.
Does the PGA read scripts and assist in securing financing and making deals?
No, the PGA does not become directly involved in individual production ventures.
Does the PGA assist in securing employment?
While we publish job leads in our email updates, the PGA does not act as an agent.
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