Who is responsible for establishing and managing the budget, hiring most crew members, and directing the production?

The producer is primarily responsible for establishing and managing the budget of a film project. This includes allocating funds for various departments, ensuring that the production stays within its financial constraints, and securing financing. The producer's role also encompasses hiring key crew members, such as the director, writers, and department heads, while collaborating with them to fulfill the creative vision of the film. In addition to budgetary matters and personnel decisions, the producer oversees the overall production process, coordinating between different departments and managing day-to-day operations to ensure that the project progresses smoothly and on schedule.

The director, while involved in the creative aspects of the film and responsible for the artistic vision, typically does not handle budget management or hiring crew members beyond their core team. The 1st Assistant Director focuses mainly on the logistics of the filmmaking process, including scheduling and coordinating the cast and crew on set. On the other hand, the cinematographer is responsible for the visual aspects of the film, including camera work and lighting, but does not usually engage with budget management or hiring decisions to the same degree as the producer.