What exactly does an executive producer do?

I'm interested in media and entertainment, and I'm curious about the role of an executive producer. Do they have creative input, or is it more about managing budgets and logistics?

An Executive Producer's role can vary depending on the media type (film, TV, music, etc.), but they generally oversee the overall production from a higher level. They often play a significant part in the project's development and are responsible for keeping everything on track from the conception phase right through to completion.

One of their most significant roles is often in securing financing for the project. This can involve pitching the project to investors or working with studios and other funding bodies. In this capacity, they're also responsible for managing the budget throughout the production to ensure that it doesn't exceed its allocated resources.

However, their involvement isn't purely financial. While the day-to-day creative decisions are typically handled by the director or showrunner, the executive producer does typically have a say in major creative decisions. These can include things like script approval, casting, and high-level creative direction. They might also be involved in hiring key personnel, such as the director or lead actors.

In television, an executive producer can also be a showrunner, which means they have both writing and managerial responsibilities.

Ultimately, an executive producer's exact duties can vary from project to project. On some, they might be heavily involved in every aspect of the production, while on others, they might have a more hands-off role. But in every case, they're a critical part of ensuring that the project gets funded, stays on budget, and makes it to completion.