The number of producers that exist in the industry is overwhelming. What do they all mean? We won’t overwhelm you here. Let’s take it slow. This article tackles two basic questions, “what is an associate producer?” and “what does an associate producer do?” Let’s get into it.
Associate Producer Job Description
What does an associate producer do?
To understand what an associate producer is is to understand what they do on a daily basis. But keep in mind that the title can fluctuate in meaning from project to project. With that said, let’s jump right in.
DEFINE ASSOCIATE PRODUCER
What is an associate producer?
An associate producer is a below-the-line producer that works under the supervision of another producer. They are often referred to as the ‘AP.’ They assist another producer in putting a film or television episode together. Strong writing and editing skills are necessary.
WHAT DOES AN ASSOCIATE PRODUCER DO?
- Writing, editing, organizing scripts for TV, running the teleprompter in newscasts, or assisting the editor by making shot selections
- On a TV series, AP's duties may include pitching story ideas, revising copy, and helping guide the editorial content of the series.
- Assist with promotions and handle bookings for TV
Again, strong writing and editing skills are a must if you want to be an AP. In TV, they make editorial decisions when assisting the video editor in shot selection - AP's may be asked to write or rewrite copy to match the shot. Additional include pitching story ideas, overall guidance of the editorial content, and cueing up tapes.
It’s considered “below-the-line” because they’re sort of on the bottom of the totem pole - they don’t make any final decisions, they assist those that do. But becoming an AP is a great role for the writer interested in producing, and it’s a great jumping off point for your career.
Let’s take a closer look at the actual responsibilities of an associate producer.
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What is the job of an associate producer?
What does an associate producer do?
As we mentioned, “associate producer” can mean many things on different productions. On indie films, it’s often a credit that is tossed to someone who helped out a bit, but not enough to get a co-producer or executive producer title.
In TV, meanwhile, the title is a bit more firm, and aligns closely with the definition we’ve given.
With those caveats out of the way, here are a few responsibilities an associate producer may be tasked with:
Collaborate with the lead producer during development to identify potential creative and logistical needs
Research story elements, locations, and industry contacts to support the project's development
Help scout and organize potential crew, cast, or vendors
Liaise with talent agents, managers, and casting directors, whether simply to facilitate introductions or negotiations
Assist with script development (offering feedback, gathering notes, etc.)
Maintain communication between departments to ensure information flows smoothly across the production
Contribute to marketing and outreach plans
Represent the producer in calls or meetings when needed
Review rough cuts or dailies, often providing input
Networking on behalf of the film
As you can see, an AP’s role is wide-ranging. Usually, an associate producer won’t be doing all of these things, but none of these tasks are outside of their job description.
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Associate producer jobs
How to become an associate producer
Because “associate producer” can mean so many things, there are countless paths one can take to end up with the title. But generally, productions look for the following qualities in an AP:
Strong organizational skills – An AP should be able to manage schedules and keep production details in order.
Effective communication – An important quality for any kind of producer.
Creative taste – An AP may give notes on creative aspects of a project.
Understanding of production workflows – A solid grasp of pre-production, filming, and post-production stages is key for any producer, and comes from experience.
Financial literacy – While not solely responsible for finances, an AP should understand budget needs and help flag potential overages or redundancies.
Leadership support – The great AP will have initiative and confidence when stepping in for the producer or managing segments of the team.
So how do you get an associate producer job? First, you should exhibit these qualities. Second, network. An AP is valuable when they know people.
This often means working up the ranks, starting at the bottom of the production hierarchy and working your way up. This process will not only give you contacts but also a thorough understanding of how the filmmaking process works.
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Up Next
What is a line producer?
If you want to become a producer, or rise in the ranks as a producer, knowing the differences between them is essential. Associate producers perform a ton of editorial tasks, but who is the line producer? Find out in our next article.
Up Next: What is a line producer? →
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