Executive Consultant
Industry veteran who provides strategic guidance and expertise to productions while maintaining minimal day-to-day involvement.
Definition
An experienced industry professional who offers strategic advice, industry connections, and specialized expertise to film projects without taking on full-time production responsibilities. Executive consultants typically contribute during key decision points rather than daily operations.
These consultants often bring specific expertise in areas like international sales, financing, post-production, or distribution strategy, providing valuable guidance that can improve project outcomes while allowing productions to access senior-level expertise cost-effectively.
Why It Matters
Executive consultants provide access to high-level industry expertise and relationships that might otherwise be unavailable to smaller productions, improving strategic decision-making and industry connections at crucial project phases.
Cost-effective consultant arrangements allow productions to benefit from senior-level guidance without full-time executive compensation, making experienced expertise accessible to projects with limited budgets but complex requirements.
Examples in Practice
Former studio executives serve as consultants on independent films, providing strategic guidance on distribution strategies and industry relationship navigation during critical development and sales phases.
Specialized consultants in areas like international co-production help navigate complex financing structures and regulatory requirements for projects seeking global financing and distribution.
Post-production consultants guide complex technical workflows and vendor relationships, ensuring efficient completion of sophisticated visual effects and sound design requirements within budget constraints.