TV or film production manager
Production managers take care of the business, financial and recruitment side of film and television productions.
- Typical hours38 to 40 a week
What you'll do
As production manager during the planning stages, you could:
- work with the producer and senior production staff
- draw up a production schedule and budget
- negotiate costs with suppliers
- hire crew and contractors
- approve bookings of resources, locations, equipment and supplies
- arrange permissions and risk assessments
- manage a production office team
During filming, you could:
- make sure the production runs to schedule
- control and monitor production spending
- report on progress to the producers
- deal with any problems during filming
- make changes to the schedule or budget, like rescheduling filming due to bad weather
- make sure that health and safety rules are followed
- check that insurance terms, copyright laws and union agreements are met
Working environment
You could work at a film studio, on a film set, in an office or at a TV studio.
Your working environment may be outdoors some of the time and you may spend nights away from home.
Skills and knowledge you'll need
You'll need:
- knowledge of media production and communication
- the ability to organise your time and workload
- excellent written communication skills
- leadership skills
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- the ability to use your initiative
- to be flexible and open to change
- patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
- to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently
How to become a tV or film production manager
You can get into this job through:
- a university course
- a college course
- an apprenticeship
- working towards this role
- a broadcaster's training scheme
University
You could do a degree before joining a production company, such as:
- media production
- film and television production
- film and TV practice
You'll find it helpful to take a course that includes the technical side of production, work placements and the chance to make industry contacts.
You'll also need a strong knowledge of business and finance management.
Entry requirements
- 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
College
You could do a college course which may help you to get a job with a media company. With experience, you could then move on to work in production management.
Courses include:
- creative media production
- film and television production
- T Level in Media, Broadcast and Production
Entry requirements
Entry requirements for these courses vary.
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level
Apprenticeship
You may be able to apply to do a Junior Production Co-ordinator Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship.
You might also start out by doing a Production Assistant - Screen and Audio Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship and then work your way up to management level as your experience grows.
Entry requirements
To get onto an apprenticeship, you'll find it useful to have:
- 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship
Work
You could start as a runner or an assistant in the production office, then move on to become a production co-ordinator or assistant production manager. You could also start as a trainee production accountant.
Another option is to go from a job as a runner to 3rd, 2nd and 1st assistant director, or from assistant TV floor manager, then to floor manager or location manager.
Volunteering
You'll need a lot of experience in TV or film, and an in-depth understanding of the production process to get into this job. Your experience and track record will often be more important than formal qualifications.
You can search for film and TV companies to approach for experience through media business listing services like PACT and The Knowledge .
Having a network of contacts in the industry can be helpful for learning about work opportunities.
Other routes
You may be able to get training through one of the new entrant training schemes that broadcasters and film bodies offer. For example:
- BBC Careers
- Channel 4 Production Training Scheme
- ITV Careers
- BFI Film Academy
You could also take short courses in production skills run by film schools, regional screen agencies and private training providers.
Career path and progression
You could work on freelance contracts for television broadcasters or independent production companies and negotiate better fees based on your experience and reputation.
You could open your own studio or move into working as an executive producer, where you'll be responsible for several productions at once.
Career tips
You might find it useful to have accounting skills and qualifications to handle the budget management work involved with this job.
Professional and industry bodies
You could join The Production Guild for professional recognition, training opportunities and to make industry contacts.
Guides for this industry
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