Ever watched the credits at the end of a movie and wondered what all of those people do?
Well, here’s your answer. Below is a simplified list with a real world description for most of those positions.
Line Producer
This is the guy in charge of the money. They are considered the head of production on the set and usually hire the key members of your crew. They cut all the deals and are the one responsible for every line item in the budget. This person will also know all of the union rules and regulations that you may need to abide by on set.
Production Department
There are many people who are involved in the production department on a movie and I have only listed a few here. These are the only ones you will need on your size budget and for your independent movie.
Tip#3:
Hire yourself a seasoned line producer. Whereas this may be one of your first movies, this is their job all the time. They will help you to get the best deals and the best crew and end up saving you money in the end.
Production Manager
This is the right hand person to the line producer and is in charge of handling any task handed down by the line producer. The Production Manager is also in charge of the people in the production office. On your shoot the line producer will probably also be the PM as well as maybe even the producer.
Production Coordinator
This is the person in the office of a movie production who is in charge of all the paperwork. They make sure that all the invoices, release forms, schedules and anything else funneling through the office is handles correctly. On a larger film, a production secretary would help with some of these jobs, but on your size film, a production coordinator will do this.
Production Assistant or PA
A good PA is the hardest working person on a movie set. This is the entry level job to filmmaking and requires the longest hours. They arrive before anyone else, leave after everyone else and do any job that is required to assist the movie. It is not unusual for PA’s to put in 15 hour or longer days.
Producer
This is the person in charge of the overall shooting and post production of the film. They are the ones that take the job from concept to completion and have a creative say in the project. The Producer is above the line.
Director
This is the person on the set who is in charge for the overall vision for the film. The Director distributes his vision to the Producer, Director of Photography, Production Designer and the head of the other departments to make sure that this vision is carried out. The Director is also above the line.
Executive Producer
If you are lucky enough to have these for your film, these are some of the most important people there are out there because these are the investors in your film. Executive Producers are above the line.
Tip#2:
Above the line refers to anyone who has a money deal, usually including points and back end profit, negotiated before filming begins.
Tip#1: You can have multiple producers on a project. The producers on you project will likely be you and at least one other person. For budgetary reasons, this person, if experienced, will probably also play the role of line producer and Production manager.
Tip#4:
Watch your paperwork carefully. As unimportant as this may seem, since you just want to see your film on the screen, it is actually really important. You need to keep records of all your filming paperwork and release forms in case of the sale of your film.
Tip#5:
There’s an old saying in production that says treat everyone at the bottom like gold because you will be working for them one day. I actually know quite a few people who used to be PA’s for me who are now successful producers and have brought projects back to me. That being said treat your PA’s very well. They will be the hardest working people for you on the set and your most valuable asset.
Content sponsored and created by Studio Smithy, Inc. A Film and Commercial Production Company.
Independent Film Advice Home The Script The Actors The Crew The Money
The Locations Camera Department Electrical Department Grip Department
Talent Department Drama Department Make-up/Hair Department Wardrobe Department
Art Department Audio Department Production Department Budgeting a Movie
How To Distribute my Movie Vehicles on a Movie Set How to Enter a Film Festival
Movie Camera Equipment Movie Lighting and Grip Equipment Editing a Movie
Sound Design of a Movie Permits for Filming a Movie Links
Copyright 2009 (C) Studio Smithy, Inc. All Rights Reserved