Industry Jobs | Production Manager

As one of the premier studio production companies in New York, Broadway Stages works to meet the growing needs of the film and TV industry while also focusing on the needs of our community. We provide the industry with a soundstage or location where they shoot their scenes. Still, they also need a skilled and experienced workforce. In this series, we look at the various jobs that make a production come to life. We hope it provides insight and encourages you to consider a career in the film and TV industry. This week, we look at the role of a production manager.

What Is a Production Manager?

A production manager plays a key role in a film or television production, from planning to completion. They do not work on the creative side of a production; rather, they oversee the process. This position reports directly to the line producer, who is the chief administrator in the production office. Unit production managers, as the Directors Guild of America knows them, are responsible for budgets, shooting schedules, and managing the day-to-day business side of production. The production manager also oversees what's known as "below-the-line" crew. "Below-the-line" is a term for all the personnel on a TV show or film who are not the creative principals of a production. 

What Does a Production Manager Do?

A production manager's responsibilities are broad in scope when overseeing operations. They will hire and manage the crew, ensure the equipment is available and functioning, and adjust the budget and schedule, among many other jobs. Three of the main tasks they are charged with are budgeting, transportation, and scheduling, 

A film or television production is a massive machine with many moving parts. Money is the fuel that keeps it all moving, so budgeting can be the difference between a project's success or failure. A production manager may have to create a working budget for personnel, equipment, and locations or simply oversee it. On larger productions, they work with a team that may include financiers, producers, and directors.

Another factor they deal with is the location of the production. Some days, production will be centered on a studio lot like our Arthur Kills campus on Staten Island. On other days, the production may be filming at a location like McCarron Park in Greenpoint. Cast, crew, and equipment must move fluidly between sites so there are no interruptions. A production manager's skills craft the logistics required to accomplish this. 

Further ensuring a constant flow of work is the task of scheduling. Production managers need to have a firm grasp of the many dynamic variables on a set to make this happen. How will the schedule affect the quality of daylight at a filming location? How many hours are the child actors allowed to work? How will filming be set to fit union rules? A production manager's work rivals that of any project manager at any Fortune 500 company.

How Do I Become a Production Manager?

Production manager is definitely not an entry-level job. Some people begin their path toward this career with a college education. Those who do so usually choose majors such as television and film, journalism, communication, or broadcasting, but coursework in business management and basic accounting would prove valuable.

Even if you pursue a formal education, you will need a working knowledge of the production process. Experience and track record are more important than formal qualifications. Many production managers today started out or have experience as runners, production assistants, location managers, production coordinators, accountants, production secretaries, assistant production managers, or occasionally assistant directors.

Finally, to work on a union set, (unit) production managers must be members of the Directors Guild of America to work on union film sets. And while this is not a requirement on non-union sets, membership gives you access to job postings, educational programs, and an invaluable professional network. Like in all business, who you know can make all the difference.

ScreenSkills, MasterClass, and Wrapbook have articles that may offer more resources as you consider this career path. Also, this video at Beyond Film School takes a deep look into this crucial role.

Learn about film and TV industry jobs, training, and more in the Broadway Stages’ Industry Resource Guide. Our guide provides:

●        Information about industry-focused job posting sites

●        Links to general recruiting sites

●        Education and training programs

●        State, city, and borough industry information

We also include a link to our blogs about many of the jobs that make a production come to life.