noun
General term for someone who makes or manufactures something. Can refer to individuals, companies, or craftspeople.
この家具の製作者は有名な職人です。
The maker of this furniture is a famous craftsman.
その製品の製作者はまだ不明だ。
The manufacturer of that product is still unknown.
noun
Specifically refers to the producer role in film, theater, television, or other entertainment productions.
彼はその映画の製作者としてクレジットされている。
He is credited as the producer of that movie.
製造者 is more technical and often used for industrial or factory-based manufacturing, whereas 製作者 can be broader and include craftspeople or entertainment producers.
Compound of 製作 (seisaku, 'production, manufacture') + 者 (sha, 'person'). The meaning is transparent from its components.