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Production Manager (Film/Television)

Film/television production managers help the producer and director in the making of a film or television programme, usually by taking care of the business and financial side of production. They also do much of the organisation before and after filming (called pre-production and post-production).

Tasks & duties

Film/television production managers may do some or all of the following:

hire crew with the producer and director
hire production staff
manage the budget for the film or programme
negotiate the best deals possible on all orders
make the arrangements for location shoots (filming outside the studio)
solve any production problems
negotiate actors' pay and their contracts
look for locations
supervise the soundtrack and editing of a production
greet and welcome guests to the programme

Skills & knowledge

Film/television production managers need to know about how each department in the film/television company works and what each person within the department does, in case they need to cover for a team member who is away. They also need to know about the production process, including how to set up a location shoot, and what equipment is required.

Film/television production managers need to have:

problem-solving skills
organisational skills
administrative skills
skill in business and finance including an awareness of film costs and how to budget
written and oral communication skills, including good people skills
negotiation skills
word-processing and computer skills
research skills

Entry requirements

To become a film/television production manager you need to have experience in a number of other areas of film and television production. A driver's licence is also essential.

Training on the job

Many skills are gained on the job, but film/television production managers are usually expected to have some skills before they enter the job.

Useful experience

Useful experience for film/television production managers includes stage management work in the theatre, work as a production runner or production assistant, or any work in film or television production. Business management, accounting or administration experience, or any work that involves organising and working with people is also useful.