When one thinks about a film and who is responsible for its creation, they think about the actors, directors, or producers. Perhaps other people cross the individual’s mind, like financial supporters, but one who may rarely be thought of is the film production manager. In reality, the film production manager is one of the most important people to be a part of the film’s staff, both before and during production. Responsible for important tasks such as setting and keeping a budget, creating a schedule, and ensuring the safety of those on set, film production managers are essential to a film being made. Their duties are numerous, and they are an integral part of every film we see.
A film production manager must be flexible, personable, and sociable. They must also be able to multi-task, have hands-on training, be able to learn quickly, think fast on their feet, and be good at communication, as their tasks are mixed and many people rely on them for jobs on set to be completed. For example, film production managers are responsible for both financial and business recruitment concerning the film at hand. They must be able to communicate with multiple parties, schedule meetings, collect resources from several different parties, and then allocate them for a variety of different things. As money is being spent on the film, the manager is also responsible for monitoring the film’s cost and its remaining budget, collecting more funds if needed, and halting production if necessary. In addition, they must plan for different locations and maintain that necessary equipment will be on set when needed. For many reasons, the film production manager is the hub of the wheel that is the movie-making industry.
As one can see, there are many moving parts to a film production manager’s job. Perhaps the primary part of their job is to be optimal at multi-tasking, and to be well organized. Not only do they fulfill the roll as a production manager, but they also assist producers and floor managers, as well as the director with whatever issues may arise on the film’s set. A plethora of information and experience is available to the production manager, as are many duties. Along with the aforementioned duties, the production manager is also responsible for many of the planning stages before production of the film even began to take place. For instance, production managers hold regular meetings with producers and senior staff in an effort to perfect script and storyline ideas before production begins; this is often to avoid wasting money . Once a budget is established, the manager draws up a schedule based on the estimated costs and a timeline that works for all employees involved in production. Further negotiation with any known suppliers concerning costs can continue to take place in order to save money as sets are being built and equipment is purchased or rented. The production manager heads all of this and approves all finalizations of locations for shoots, supplies, resources, and bookings. Another large part of the production manager’s job is to report all necessary details to the head producer in order to assure total communication throughout the set.
As filming begins, the production manager still needs to run an increasingly tight ship on set. The duties will include overseeing production, and ensuring everything from shoots to employees arriving on set will happen according to the schedule that they have set . Should something fall off the set schedule, it could mean a loss of money, which could throw off the budget; depending on how tight the budget is, this could be disastrous for the film. It is important production managers stay on top of the schedule and everybody involved for this reason. Because budgets are so crucial to a film’s success, managers must closely monitor the production’s spending and financial accounts, as well. Making regular reports on progress or lack thereof to the head producer and senior staff can also aid the production manager, and is a part of their duties in production of a film. While regular assessments and reports are encouraged and, on many sets, expected it is important the manager be able to take care of small discrepancies on their own in order not to bother senior staff. Therefore, part of the job description is handling disciplinary issues or small financial issues on one’s own. Moreover, having the independence to make necessary alterations to schedules, the film’s set budget, or employment statuses is also pertinent to being a part of the managerial staff in any capacity . Finally, and perhaps most importantly, a film production manager must always ensure the safety of those around them, demanding the safety and health regulations are being followed at all times. They are also often left in charge of insurance policies, as well as union agreements, and copyright laws; they must enforce these terms in order to avoid lawsuits, as well as to ensure the film’s release.
In sum, film production managers are the center of many things on a film set. Primarily, they are responsible for the organization and communication of finances, schedules, and several other important moving parts that are essential to producing a film, even before production begins. Many do not understand that demands that are placed on a film production manager, but they are great. Production managers assist nearly every person on set, making sure resources are collected for the film, funds are allocated correctly, and filming runs on schedule. They are even put in charge of copyright infringement during filming, and often assist everybody from the floor manager to the director. Without the film production manager, there would not be a film.
References
Cleve, B. (2012). Film Production Management. Chicago: CRC Press.
Gates, R. (2013). Production Management for Film and Video. Chicago: CRC Press.
Nelmes, J. (2012). Introduction to Film Studies. New York: Routledge.
