Have you ever wondered why the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences presents the Oscar for Best Picture to a film's producer and not its director, writer, or production company? What, exactly, do producers do to deserve the Academy's highest honor? This course examines the multiple facets of film production through the lens of the producer, demystifying their role by revealing the day-to-day management and operation of a feature film. Accompanying weekly class discussions will be autobiographical readings, screenings of non-fiction television & documentary film, as well as guest lectures from working entertainment professionals providing innumerable examples of the challenges producers face in all stages of filmmaking.