5 Ways To Find The Perfect Producer For Your Film Project

Finding a producer for your film should be easy, yet over the years I’ve met a number of investors and executive producers (EPs) who have struggled to connect with the right producer for their project.

Just look at this email I got last week:

For all of the complaining producers do, this just shows that we’re not doing enough to make it as frictionless as possible for EPs and investors to contact us, so this is my attempt to simplify the process.

The right producer with the right experience and connections can be the linchpin between financing and a successfully produced and distributed movie, so finding that person is essential.

Here are five proven ways to both find and connect with producers. If you’re a producer reading this, take this chance to make sure that you’re set up on all of these channels so that you can be more easily found.

Introductions From Other Film Investors

The best connections I’ve made as a producer are through personal connections. This applies to producers, cast, crew, and distribution alike. Asking those who have already done what you’re trying to do is a shortcut to get there yourself.

Ask other investors and EPs who they’ve worked with and their experience with them. When you find someone that seems like a good fit, ask for an introduction.

But what if you don’t have anyone to ask? That’s where the other options come in...

IMDb - The Internet Movie Database

The Internet Movie Database is a treasure trove of data and people. Find the movies you love or that are similar to the movie you want to help make. Maybe you have a personal story, or a historical event that you want to see on the big screen. Find the movies on IMDb:

Then scroll down until you see “all cast and crew” and click on that.

Scroll down below the cast and look for the Produced By section. You’re looking for those with the title of “Producer”. Executive Producers are the financiers and the owners of the production and distribution companies, the post producer is in charge of post production, and associate, co-producer, and consulting producers all helped the producers get the movie made.

You can click on those individuals to see their past credits, and, if you sign up for IMDb Pro, you get access to their contact info if they have included it.

There you go. Reach out, tell them about your project and what you’re trying to accomplish, and start the conversation.

Film Directories

There are a number of directories online that filmmakers will sign up for. Slated.com is one of my favorites, but there’s also ProductionHUB, LA411, and many others.

Producers will update these sites with their credits and projects so you can see what they’ve worked on, and some of the directories, like Slated, have a rating system to help you see how “valuable” they are in the marketplace. Don’t put too much weight on these when it comes to what producers to reach out to - my Slated profile hasn’t been updated with the last two projects, despite my best efforts to connect the directory to my IMDb account. Focus more on whether they’ve had successful projects like the one you’re trying to make.

Film Commissions

This is another great place to get introductions - call the film directory of your state or the state you potentially want to film in, and ask them for recommendations. They’re more than happy to recommend a few people that fit the size and scope of the project you’re interested in financing, especially when it means production spending in their state.

Many also have their own directory that you can search within, but you may need an account to do so.

Social Media

I hesitated adding this one, but I’ve have been hired on multiple projects through social media so I can’t knock it. Just be wary of those that are advertising on social media to get you to invest in their projects, or who are claiming things that you can’t validate online elsewhere, like IMDb.

Look for producers who are actively working on the types of projects that are similar to the one you want to finance. Send them a DM or connect with them, start the conversation, then take it to email or a phone call from there. I’m not a fan of doing business on a social platform, and always want to have a face-to-face conversation (Zoom counts...) with someone before doing business together.

Finding a producer is an active process. Talk to as many producers as you can so you can make an informed decision. This is an individual that you’ll be working with for the life of the project, so you want someone that matches your values, the desired scope and outcome of the project, and that you like working with! That means talking to at least three people before you choose your producer.

The right producer brings years of experience, connections, and the leadership the project needs to get into production, finish on time and on budget, and distributed in the marketplace. Don’t try and shortcut the process. Keep at it until you find the right person for the position.

What questions do you have about finding the right producer? Let me know in the comments below, or email me at daren@hey.com.