At Voice123—the largest, most trusted voice over network—you can hire vetted voice actors fast when your executive producer says, “We need a VO yesterday.” In this guide, we’ll explain what is an executive producer, what does an executive producer do, and how the roles of executive producer vs producer play out across film, TV, and branded content, so you move quickly and avoid costly reshoots.
What Is an Executive Producer?
An executive producer is a senior-level member of the production crew, and they’re in charge of production logistics like funding, approvals, partnerships, and even casting and scheduling. Their role involves securing financing, assembling high-value talent, protecting rights/IP, and safeguarding the project’s commercial and creative direction from development to delivery. If the director runs the production, the EP ensures they have the resources they need to complete the project.
What does an executive producer do?
So, what do executive producers do day to day? Here’s a quick breakdown:
- Securing Financing
One of an executive producer‘s primary responsibilities is to secure funding for the project. This involves pitching the concept to investors, studios, or networks and negotiating deals to ensure adequate financial backing. This is also a key part of what do movie producers do; they put together the distribution deal with the studio and help get the project off the ground. - Overseeing the Creative Vision
While directors handle the day-to-day creative decisions, executive producers maintain the project’s overall vision. They collaborate with writers, directors, and other producers to ensure the final product aligns with the creative vision. This role is key to understanding what does an executive producer do in the creative process. - Managing Production Logistics
Executive producers are responsible for assembling the production team, which includes hiring directors, writers, and casting talent. They also oversee scheduling, budgeting, and resource allocation to keep the production on track. This is part of the day-to-day of what do executive producers do. - Handling Legal and Business Affairs
They draft contracts, obtain the necessary permits, and handle other legal matters. This protects the studio and production from potential disputes or liabilities. These are the kind of behind-the-scenes decisions that help outline the differences between what a movie producer does and what producers on a TV show do.
Executive Producer vs. Producer
Both roles are crucial to any production, but they work in different areas of production. For example:
- Executive Producer Responsibilities:
- Financing
- Approvals
- Partnerships
- Budget
- Casting
- Producer Responsibilities:
- Logistics
- Execution
- Problem-solving
- Scheduling
What Does a Producer Do in a Movie?
If you’re wondering what does a movie producer do or what do movie producers do, here’s what you need to know:
Producers translate the plan into reality: build budgets and schedules, manage crew, secure locations, run the set, and push post-production—editorial, sound, color, ADR, and trailer deadlines. They coordinate voice over pickups and narration sessions to meet distributor specs.
What Does a TV Producer Do?
TV producers operate inside a fast, episodic pipeline. They provide writers’ room support, cross-episode continuity, network notes, and scheduling. They manage weekly deliverables, promo assets, and voice casting for promos, animation, or localization to keep pace with broadcast/streaming drops.
Executive Producer Meaning Across Different Projects
- Film: Oversees the project’s development from script to screen, focusing on financing, hiring personnel, casting talent, and guiding the film’s overall direction.
- Television: In TV, they act as a showrunner, managing the writers’ room, overseeing episode production, and maintaining the show’s consistency.
- Music: Coordinates the production of an album, working with artists, songwriters, and engineers to produce a cohesive final product.
- Video Games: Manages the game’s development process, ensuring that the project stays on schedule and meets quality standards.
Their responsibilities vary across different projects but always center around leadership, funding, and creative oversight.
Final Thoughts
To recap what does an executive producer do: they fund, package, and protect the project while aligning creative choices with business outcomes. Understanding executive producer vs producer helps you make decisions wisely, move faster, and cut risk. If you’re an executive producer looking to cast your next project, use Voice123—your fastest route to hiring professional voice actors. Post your project today!
FAQs
An executive producer sets strategy, secures financing, approves major creative and business decisions, and protects IP and market viability. A producer runs daily operations—budget, schedule, crew, vendors, and delivery.
Lead actors become executive producers for creative control, back-end participation (profit share/points), and leverage. Their attachment can unlock financing, distribution, and marketing value for TV shows or films.
Yes. executive producers typically receive an upfront fee (flat or episodic) and may negotiate backend (participation/points) and performance bonuses. The exact deal varies by budget, platform, and their role in the project.
Executive producers can approve or halt key hires, budgets, schedules, and cuts. Their calls shape the creative direction, distribution plan, and overall production, particularly across franchise or multi-market releases.
