Why do lead actors become Executive Producers on TV programs?
Asked by
gmander (
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)
April 13th, 2011
It can’t just be for more money, they could just negotiate more cash for their acting. What’s the reason that they also get a credit as an ‘Executive Producer’? Does it mean they still collect cash even when they stop acting on the program? Or, is it an ego thing?
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7 Answers
Usually it’s so they have more control of the product of their art. It allows them to have more of a say about where the money goes in regards to the production.
My understanding is it’s normally about residuals, not about control. The higher up in the chain you are, the bigger the residual check you receive anytime an episode is re-aired.
I believe the so-called Executive Producer provides a large amount of money to allow the production to take place. That is why you sometimes see a long list of Executive Producers. They have each contributed money.
Money…Big bucks in residuals and syndication.
It’s sometimes an incentive to keep the actor involved with the show when they grow restless. Extra money through residuals and syndication. Keep your star happy so they don’t wander off and do something more interesting. They are easily distracted by shiny things.
They get more money, and like @SpatzieLover said, they get more say, but they’re also taking financial responsibility for it as well – if the show isn’t getting all the money it needs, the actor/producer is now saying that they would help put up the money. So it’s changing it from being sort of a passive player in the production of the show (as an actor) to a really active player in the show (producer) who fronts money, gets money, hires and fires people, has a say in the scripts, and gets to help create where the show will go over the next few years.
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