What does an executive producer do?

I'm interested in a career in film or TV production and wonder what an executive producer's role is. How involved are they in the creative process, and what's their day-to-day like?

An executive producer (EP) in the film or TV industry often has a multifaceted role that encompasses both the creative and financial aspects of a project. While the level of involvement may vary depending on the project and individual, typically the responsibilities of an EP include overseeing the project from conception to completion, securing funding, managing the production's budget, and possibly taking part in key decision-making processes such as selecting key personnel (like the director or lead actors).

An executive producer can also be involved in the creative process, although the degree depends highly on the specific project. In some situations, they help shape the creative direction of a project, contributing to story development, script editing, and sometimes even casting decisions. However, the director and the writers usually carry out the detailed creative execution.

As far as the day-to-day goes, it can be pretty varied. One day could be filled with meetings with potential investors, the next might involve working out details with the director or solving a production problem that arose. There might also be days of reading and evaluating scripts or even on-set visits to ensure that production is running smoothly.

Keep in mind that the role of an executive producer can change from project to project. For instance, in film, the EP is often more involved in securing financing, whereas in television, the EP could also be the showrunner, actively involved in writing and decision-making daily. The key point is that executive producers hold a significant role - they help get the project off the ground and ensure its overall success.