Film production management
The film production management (Unit Production Manager) is responsible for the planning, control and implementation of a film production . Depending on the size of the production and the film production company , they report directly to the production manager or producer . The direct partners are the producer , director and the editorial team . As a rule, production managers are hired by the production company for a specific production. Some production managers are also employed by broadcasters or production companies.
job profile
The tasks include project planning, project specifications, organization and monitoring of work processes during pre-, main- and post-production. The film production management must oversee the coordination and control of all organizational, financial and technical details and offer teamwork and support in conflicts. In general, an artistic and commercial double understanding is required in order to be able to implement the script content and direction concept specifically and optimally.
The production management is a partner of the direction , whose creative ideas they should support as best as possible. She has to make a cost calculation based on the creative material and create a shooting schedule and is responsible for the shooting team . The film production management has the power of attorney granted by the film production management in all phases of film planning and production . She controls and monitors the film project and is responsible for ensuring that it can be carried out in the best possible quality together with the film management team while adhering to the film budget and shooting time .
Project planning and pre-production
Once the decision about planning a film project has been made, the film production management is one of the first instances employed by the film production company . This then receives the power of attorney for all processes in the course of production and is directly accountable to the film production.
Determination of the budget
The budget can be determined in two ways: As a preconceived budget, regardless of the script e.g. B. through fixed sponsorship money or a one-off payment of film funding - a process that is, however, rather seldom or rarely occurs, since the uncertainties in financing can hardly be covered by it. In other words, an exposé or a treatment (script without dialogue) must be available from which the costs can be deciphered. Usually this is the preliminary stage, the more precise script development is tackled together with the PL so that the calculated budget is not exceeded. Usually there is a preliminary calculation that is adjusted according to the steps of the ongoing script development. The direction and the script development are accountable to the production management for the exhaustion of the budget and must justify the cost of their ideas. If props, locations or other film-related things become too expensive, the production management has the right to have the script draft rewritten or to request changes to the script that are cheaper. In the case of real and fake commissioned productions, however, such changes must be approved by the responsible editor of the commissioning broadcaster, as the script is an integral and very important part of the production contract between the broadcaster and the production company.
Structure of the film staff
The film production management is responsible for ensuring that all other employees who have to participate in the film shoot are hired accordingly and are responsible for the salary negotiations. Creative and / or directing support workers such as script, camera or assistant director such as costume or make-up are employed in consultation with the producers and the director. The director himself has mostly been selected beforehand by the film production itself or has approached them in advance with the project to be realized, so that an appointment by the film production management is usually a formality. Since each director usually brings their own camera and screenwriters with them, their employment also falls under the former. However, the production management also has a say here - the salary requirement of a creative supporter urgently needed by the director, such as B. too high by the camera, the PL has the right to replace it with a cheaper one.
Casting the actors
The casting of the actors is usually a matter for the director or the casting office, which is also subject to the production management. The production management has a say in the selection of actors, provided that the requested fee exceeds the set amount that has been calculated in the budget for actor salaries, and can force the director to reassign actors if necessary.
education
Production management itself is a previously unstudied occupation that can usually be acquired through an internship with subsequent assistance. A corresponding qualification is offered by film schools and training institutions (film houses) in the form of courses and is part of the course in film production . In the meantime, an IHK qualification can be achieved through a one-year part-time special training course. A good foundation for becoming a production manager can be laid with vocational training as a clerk for audiovisual media.
literature
- Christian Hüsgen: From production manager to production manager film and television: Production management television, paperback - November 19, 2009, ISBN 383811146X
- Diana Iljine, Klaus Keil: The producer: the job description of the film and television producer in Germany. Attempt a definition 2., revised. and updated edition, TR-Verl.-Union, Munich 2000, ISBN 3-8058-3474-8 .
- Bastian Clevé (Ed.): From the idea to the film: Production management for film and television . 4th, completely redesigned. Ed., UVK-Verl.-Ges., Konstanz 2004, ISBN 3-89669-444-8 . (Series of publications: Praxis Film, 6)
- Bastian Clevé: Ways to Money: Film, TV and Multimedia Financing . 4th, revised. Ed., Bleicher Verlag, Gerlingen 2000, ISBN 3-88350-907-8 .