Arzu Aliyeva explains what the role of a producer in documentaries

Producers play a significant role in a documentary film in all its stages of production. However, Arzu Aliyeva, an experienced documentary director and producer, is aware that the producer’s work is not always obvious to the viewers.

The work behind the scenes of the producer is essential to making a great documentary movie, says Arzu Aliyeva. She states that, in a nutshell, the producer finds and launches a project, hires writers, arranges key financing, creative team, and key members, and overlooks all aspects of producing a film.

Aliyeva points out that producing documentary footage and films involves a huge budget because the process includes many activities and players. The contribution of a documentary producer like Arzu Aliyeva can help you design setups and strategies to upscale your documentary production process.

What is a producer?

A producer is an individual who oversees all processes of production, says Arzu Aliyeva. Producers normally acquire film production rights, develop production schedules, and check recordings and edits for the project after the film has been completed.

There are different types of producers according to their field of play or place. Arzu Aliyeva lists the most common ones:

1.      Documentary producer

A documentary producer engages in producing documentaries by writing scripts, hiring crews, videotaping interviews, editing, and promoting the film. In addition, the producer negotiates deals with DVD distributors, oversees the budget, and works with the composer through professional approaches.

2.      News producer

A news producer is an individual who works behind the scenes in a TV station by orchestrating and overlooking a newscast. They make decisions on the order of placing new stories, monitor satellite feeds and breaking news, and communicate with reporters. News producers normally work within strict deadlines to monitor press releases, even during emergencies.

3.      Video producer

A video producer is a person who develops business or industrial videos like product videos, how-to videos, and training videos. The video producers can work as freelancers, in film departments, or even in their production companies.

4.      Movie producer

Usually, a movie producer checks on the budget. Movie producers solely deal with the financial and business side by tacking investors that can make money for the movie. The producers can track props, filming locations, and explosion scenes and handle marketing and film distribution channels.

What Does a Documentary Film Producer like Arzu Aliyeva Do?

A film producer must be present from the film’s inception to the end. The producer arranges needed elements and production cycles and catalyzes the production process and marketing fundamentals. In this essence, the producer is the overall driver of the documentary until it is aired on the screen, reckons Arzu Aliyeva. The film documentary producer, therefore, holds the following responsibilities:

1.      Develop the story

The producers will find an imaginary or real story that is unique and interesting for aimed audiences. When the script writing is complete, the producer looks for the appropriate director to conceive the idea into life.

2.      Shaping the project’s idea into a fruitful documentary film

Once the producer grabs the film idea, the producer converts it into a prolific concept for the documentary film. The producer will work with script developers and writers for rewrites, thus acting as the quality controller.

3.      Acquiring rights

A film producer may decide to purchase a script. This is done by securing requisite production rights that conform to necessary procedures and protocols.

4.      Sourcing for film funds

The producer solicits funds that finance the production process of the film. Film producers will approach investors to aid the conception process for the documentary.

5.      Appointing a director

A producer will vet, recommend and hire a director to propel the process of documenting the film. This is the stage where the producer delegates the wheel and takes a backseat in the production course.

6.      Handling the marketing process of the film

A producer should market the film to yield desired revenues by engaging the marketing team in promoting and selling the final merchandise. The film producer must use the right strategies to open reach to numerous target customers and audiences.

Why You Need a Producer for Your Documentary according to Arzu Aliyeva

Naturally, documentaries are undefined, open-ended, and involve unprecedented changes that need a producer’s control. So, finding a producer for your documentary can help you in several ways. Arzu Aliyeva highlights the following ones:

1.      Structure your story

A producer can help you determine your narrative, set your scope, and develop the ultimate story. The producer will find subjects to stand by in framing your documentary in the right channel.

2.      Coordinate interviews

Seeking a producer will help you set interviews, and schedules, find locations and contact sources, assemble a crew, and notably run up the interviews.

3.      Source for funds and grants

Producing documentaries is an expensive undertaking that needs the application of grants from film programs, universities, and non-profit organizations. This process involves submitting proposals, forms, and detailed pitches of what the documentary will cover alongside your budget and production scope.

4.      Needed releases and paperwork

Documentaries run gun interviews and recordings. These are tough situations where a producer must sign last-minute releases. Seeking services experienced and updated can help in knowing essential for use and privacy laws, thus avoiding erroneous paperwork and unsigned releases.

5.      Manage film edits

Editing a documentary encompasses various processes at the footing and streamlining instances. Finding a producer can help you coordinate visual aspects from backups to timelines.

6.      Promoting and distributing the film

After the documentary film is finalized, you will require a promoter to distribute it. Producers can handle the promotion and distribution process by creating organized press materials and strong submissions.

Arzu Aliyeva, a documentary producer, describes what the contribution of the producer to the film is

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