When you think of roles in film production and TV shows, it’s usually actors, writers, and directors that come to mind. But underneath all of that is a production team that’s a crucial part of making it all happen. One of the most important people in that team is the production manager.
In this post, we’ll answer some of the most common questions about becoming a film production manager, and tell you everything you need to know as you consider your next steps.Free Storyboard Software
Filmmaking is a complex collaborative endeavor, requiring the synchronization of diverse creative and logistical elements. Overseeing this multifaceted process is the vital role of the production manager. But what exactly does a production manager do? This in-depth guide will unpack the wide-ranging duties and essential skills of this critical position.
Defining the Role of the Production Manager
The production manager is the beating heart that keeps a film set operating smoothly Their key responsibilities include
- Developing and managing the film’s budget
- Assembling and coordinating the crew
- Overseeing equipment rentals and set operations
- Enforcing schedules and call sheets
- Acting as a liaison between departments
The production manager role focuses on the operational, financial, and personnel infrastructure that allows the creative work to happen. They implement the practical realities required to execute the director’s vision.
The production manager collaborates closely with the [line producer], who has final authority over the film’s physical and logistical elements. But the production manager leads the hands-on work to implement the line producer’s overall plan.
Managing the Production Budget
One of the production manager’s most important duties is taking the lead on budgeting This includes
- Working with the line producer and UPM to formulate the initial budget
- Researching expense estimates for each department and line item
- Continuously tracking actual costs as production progresses
- Adjusting the budget as needed while staying on target
- Providing detailed reports for the producers and studio
The production manager must intimately understand the script’s requirements and how to maximize resources. Their budgeting skills ensure the film stays on track financially.
Assembling and Managing the Crew
Each film requires coordinating a small army of cast and crew. The production manager acts as the central hub for crew operations. Their duties include:
- Identifying staffing needs across all departments
- Interviewing and hiring crew members
- Managing union and guild rules and contracts
- Coordinating crew schedules, timesheets, overtime
- Arranging crew travel and accommodations
The production manager oversees the onboarding, scheduling, and day-to-day personnel administration for the entire below-the-line crew. This keeps everyone working in sync toward a smooth-running set.
Overseeing Equipment Rentals and Logistics
The production manager also makes sure the crew has everything they need to do their jobs. This entails:
- Renting and returning all equipment and vendors
- Arranging transportation of crew, cast, and equipment
- Coordinating with locations department for sets/permits
- Managing inventory and consumables
- Ensuring compliance with insurance and safety regulations
By securing equipment rentals, transport, locations, and gear, the production manager gives the departments the physical resources to execute each day’s shoot.
Enforcing Schedules and Call Sheets
To keep a complex production on track, the production manager handles scheduling down to the minute. Their duties consist of:
- Working with the AD department on daily call sheets
- Distributing call sheets to cast and crew
- Monitoring shoot progress and adjusting schedules
- Enforcing call times and location arrival
- Managing overtime and turnaround times
Through rigorous scheduling, the production manager ensures all players arrive prepared to each shoot day and enables the production to run punctually.
Bridging the Creative and Logistical
While not directly involved in the creative process, the production manager enables it through smart budgeting, coordination, and planning. They liaise between the producers, studio, and line producer on one side and the department heads on the other to keep operations running smoothly.
This ability to bridge the financial, operational, and creative elements makes the production manager integral to the filmmaking apparatus.
Key Skills for Thriving as a Production Manager
To master this multifaceted role, certain skills are essential:
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Budget expertise – Meticulously track and analyze costs. Find creative ways to maximize limited resources.
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Systematic thinking – Assess complex interdependencies and align moving parts for efficiency.
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Interpersonal skills – Build rapport, mediate conflicts, and rally cooperation across disciplines.
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Calm under pressure – Defuse crises and implement rapid solutions when issues inevitably arise.
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Hyper-organization – Flawlessly handle countless minute details simultaneously. Nothing slips through the cracks.
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Problem-solver – Continuously find practical and creative ways to remove obstacles for the team.
Production managers who embody these traits create the foundation for the set to function productively.
Typical Career Path for a Production Manager
Most production managers start out as production assistants or coordinators. They learn the ropes of the production process from the ground up.
As they gain experience, they take on additional responsibilities and budget authority. After assistant production managing a few projects, they may be ready to graduate to the full manager role.
It often takes 5-10 years of rising through the production ranks to gain the well-rounded experience needed to succeed as a manager. But talented individuals with the right skillset can accelerate the process.
Creating Systems for Efficient Film Production Management
To stay on top of their extensive responsibilities, the best production managers create streamlined systems and procedures. Examples include:
Centralized documentation – Maintain organized records like call sheets, permits, rental agreements, crew contacts, and budgets in robust software or a binder.
Shared schedules – Use tools like call sheet software to align all players. This cuts down on unnecessary meetings.
Checklists – Create master checklists for startup, teardown, safety procedures, rentals, and other repeated tasks.
Regular budget reviews – Set aside time for big picture budget analysis rather than just putting out fires.
Crew training – Establish clear protocols and train crew on best practices to prevent problems.
Safety compliance – Stay up to date on latest regulations and ensure sets meet industry safety standards.
Review processes – Gather crew feedback after each project to identify areas for improvement.
Implementing habits like these minimize “spinning your wheels” and give structure for tackling the production manager’s wide scope.
Why the Production Manager Role Matters
A great production manager empowers rather than impedes the work of other departments. They operate behind the scenes anticipating problems before they arise and smoothing out any wrinkles.
Without this orchestration, the creative aspects of filmmaking would happen haphazardly, not cohesively. The production manager role makes ambitious projects achievable.
Next time you watch the closing credits of a movie, take a moment to appreciate the many ways the production manager helped that film become a reality. Their organizational brilliance lays the foundation for movie magic.
Key Takeaways on the Film Production Manager Role
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Manages film budgets, crew, rentals, and daily operations.
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Partners with line producer to execute logistics and schedules.
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Requires budget savvy, systems thinking, problem-solving skills.
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Typically advances from production assistant over several years.
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Implement consistent systems and procedures for efficiency.
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Enables the creative process through behind-the-scenes support.
What is a film production manager?
A production manager, also known as a unit production manager, is the person responsible for managing anyone with a below-the-line* job on film productions. They’re in charge of sticking to the production schedule, handling budgeting, transportation, and scheduling.
While the production manager job title might not seem that sexy, it’s an integral role that requires leadership skills, communication skills, and a host of other soft skills that keep the entire crew happy in the work environment. Production managers are an essential part of the team from pre-production to post-production.
*Below-the-line jobs include: assistant directors, line producer, director of photography / cinematographer, production designers, production managers, production coordinators, art directors, art department, camera crew, lighting crew, hair and makeup crew, special effects crew, sound mixers, editors, composers, and visual effects crew.
How can I become a production manager?
Many production manager job seekers start out by gaining work experience in related jobs. Any opportunities you can pick up in a production department, like working as a production coordinator, production supervisor, or creating production reports, will be useful in your job search – even if it’s not in a super related field.
Outside of the film industry, you could also gain the raw materials needed by taking a role in any manufacturing process, like an operations manager. Although the industry is different, many of the skills are transferable to the film world: production planning, upholding quality standards, money management, adhering to safety regulations and company policies, and much more.
Lots of job postings will require you to show proficiency in Microsoft Office or the Google equivalent. So it might be worth brushing up on your Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets skills, checking you’re comfortable with anything you might need to do on the job.
You may also find you need decent high school grades and a bachelor’s degree to even be considered for production manager job openings. The exact type of degree doesn’t necessarily matter, but a Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree could benefit you due to its links to the art and film industries.
Finally, you’ll need to be a member of the Director’s Guild of America (DGA) to work on union film sets in the USA. When you’re on a union set, the official job title used is Unit Production Manager. If the production is non-DGA, production managers don’t need to be in the union.
Film Production Management
FAQ
What does production management do?
What are the duties of a production manager?
What is a film production job description?
Is film production a good career?
What is film production management?
Film production management refers to the planning, monitoring and facilitating of the various stages of film production. Production managers supervise and direct the tasks, equipment, personnel and logistics involved in a project.
What does a film production manager do?
They’re responsible for ensuring that a film’s production remains within its budget and achieves commercial success for the film studio. If you wish to start a career in this field, you may benefit from studying the systems and procedures that managers use to plan the production process.
What does a production manager do?
Duties and Responsibilities of a Production Manager Film production and television shows depend upon the contributions of more than just the writers, director, and actors. They also require the talents of a production team of hard working behind the scenes crewmembers. One of the most important positions on any film set is the production manager.
What is production management?
Production management consists of managing the work, tasks, logistics and processes that contribute to the successful completion of a movie. Normally, a film production process has three stages: pre-production, production and post-production.
