Creativity is a pretty difficult concept to define, and even harder to make happen. It can be difficult for producers—whose days are filled with financing, logistics, planning and schedules—to remember that they are creatives too.

But, at the end of the day, it’s the producer who is ultimately responsible for the creative integrity of their project. Here, producers and industry executives share their wisdom on creative producing: what it means and how to nurture a vision, whether it’s your creative team’s or your own.

Erin Haskett

Executive Producer and President, Lark Productions

“A great creative producer helps hold the big picture together. We support and elevate the showrunner’s vision, often collaborating with and understanding the network’s reactions to creative choices. We can be a sounding board or help make final decisions. Whether it’s digging into story and script with the writer, supporting an incoming director to better understand style choices that work for a particular show, weighing in on wardrobe as it impacts character or the palette of the show, listening to music cues to guide the pace of a scene—there are many others who lead these things as their particular expertise, but creative producers hold space for it all.

This is a collaborative medium, and the best ideas win, especially when presented respectfully, thoughtfully, and with the intention of elevating the story.”

Damon D’Oliveira

Conquering Lion Pictures

“Recognize that every filmmaker you work with is different, and each creator has their own unique approach or style of expression. A savvy creative producer has to be flexible and adjust their approach in order to facilitate the best from their collaborators.

Excessive self-censorship or overthinking will stifle a story every time. When writers constantly second-guess themselves, worry too much about what others might think, or try to conform to perceived expectations, it can paralyze creativity.”

Anthony Q. Farrell

President, Canfro Productions

“I think a great creative producer is someone who actively supports a creative team in their efforts to bring their vision to life. It takes a deep understanding of character and story, as well as a selfless attitude. You should be empathetic to the creatives you’re working with, but also be aware of the needs of your broadcast partners. Excellent communication skills are a must.

Most writers cringe at the words ‘creative producer,’ because there is always a chance that the CP feels like their vision is the most important one. When that struggle for control happens, it not only kills creativity, but it also kills relationships. The best CPs I’ve worked with have all worked hard to understand my vision and find ways to support it. As a creative producer myself now, I always let the creative team know that I am there to support them and give them any tools in my power to help them tell their story, their way.”

Tara Woodbury

Director, Content – Canada, Netflix

“Creative producers are so integral because they are the conduit to everything. They are given the huge task of holding a creative vision together while considering practical challenges and serving a network’s needs. And their job is to deliver the best execution of a project while juggling a million things. To do this, they must have great communication and transparency, have a high creative bar, be a passionate and rabid fan of stories, and be a tremendous problem solver. We find producers are most successful working with us when they bring curiosity and passion.”

Brent Haynes

Head of International Originals, Canada, Amazon MGM Studios

“A truly great creative producer is a superhuman who can see the forest for the trees. What is the big picture? How do all the parts serve the vision? How are logistical obstacles overcome creatively? And tell a compelling story while you’re at it.”

Lea Marin

Director of Development, Drama, CBC

A great creative producer recognizes the importance of the development of a good idea into a great story and will stop at nothing to protect this process and realize the vision for the project. In addition to strong creative instincts, they are often persuasive communicators with incredible organizational and people management skills.

“I think one of the best things a producer can do is to continually ask questions that clarify the creative team’s intention and vision. Often these questions will zoom into fleshing out the details and structure of a treatment, but it’s also important to continually ask what the story is ultimately about. What do you want audiences to feel and/or take away after they’ve watched your project?”