Overview
The producer serves as the primary organizational and managerial lead of the production, overseeing the broader coordination of the project across development, pre-production, production, post-production, and delivery. Responsibilities may include managing schedules, coordinating communication between departments, overseeing logistics, monitoring production progress, helping resolve problems, and ensuring that the production remains aligned with the practical realities of time, staffing, safety, and available resources.
Within the collaborative structure of film production, the producer is ultimately responsible for helping guide the project to successful completion while balancing creative goals against operational limitations. Unlike roles focused primarily on on-set execution or departmental coordination, the producer maintains a wider view of the entire production process and helps ensure that all parts of the project continue moving forward cohesively. The role also helps students develop leadership, communication, organizational, and decision-making skills that are central to professional producing workflows.
Pre-Production
Leadership & Production Oversight
- Help maintain overall production momentum during prep
- Identify potential risks or scheduling concerns early
- Support collaboration between creative and logistical departments
- Balance creative ambitions against practical production realities
- Participate in prep meetings with department heads and faculty
- Double check every logistical piece of information to make sure nothing has been forgotten
Production Planning & Scheduling
- Break down the shooting script
- Create a schedule in Movie Magic Scheduling
- Oversee the overall pre-production timeline
- Coordinate with the 1st AD on scheduling and prep progress
- Track deadlines and departmental deliverables
- Help ensure the production is realistically achievable within available resources and time
Communication & Coordination
- Oversee the Teams channel for the show
- Serve as a central communication hub between departments
- Organize meetings to maintain production-wide information flow
- Follow up on unresolved logistical or departmental issues
- Help ensure that departments remain aligned throughout prep
- Supervise the 2nd AD in the creation of the Call Sheet
Locations & Logistics
- Complete a Location Agreement, Shooting Plan, and Location Hazard Assessment Checklist for each location
- Oversee transportation, parking, staging, and basecamp planning
- Help troubleshoot location-related production challenges
- Support load-in/load-out planning and operational workflows
Paperwork & Administrative Oversight
- Submit a Disbursement Advance Request for pre-paid visa card
- Secure a Crew Deal Memo from each crew member
- Secure a Performance Agreement from each cast member
- Ensure that agreements and forms are completed properly
- Maintain organized production records
- Coordinate required delivery of production paperwork
Resource & Operations Management
- Monitor production resources and operational needs
- Purchase craft services by the night before production
- Pre-order lunch and arrange for its pickup or delivery
- Help departments identify logistical needs
- Check the weather periodically to monitor adverse conditions
- Have a back-up plan
- Arrange for volunteer(s) if needed
Greenlight Meeting
- Attend a greenlight meeting with the Head of Production, during which you will review/update the M1 scope breakdown and finalize all location documents
On Set
FIRST HALF OF THE DAY
- The Pre-Pro crew (PR, DR, PD, DP, AR, 1D, 2D, SS) will have 2 hours at the start of the day to prepare for the day, including any remaining set decoration, shot designing, etc.
- Deliver the craft services to the 2nd AD for them to set up the craft service table.
- Give the 2nd AD all the paperwork you prepared ahead of time for them to have completed throughout the day.
- Verify with volunteer or caterer that lunch will be brought to set in time to set it up prior to releasing for lunch.
LUNCH
- Make sure 2nd AD has lunch set up and ready by the time lunch is to be served.
- Make sure lunch does not exceed one hour.
SECOND HALF OF THE DAY
- Make sure everything is going as planned. Help troubleshoot as needed.
END OF DAY
- At Camera Wrap, make sure crew wraps safely and efficiently. Make sure to have Company Wrap on time.
- Collect all the Daily Production Paperwork and Camera Card from the 2nd AD.
- With 2nd AD, clean and secure location. Be the LAST TO LEAVE (except perhaps Art Dept).
- Leave the location better than when you arrived.
- Approve the Daily Production Report and have 2nd AD distribute copies at the end of the day.
Post-Production
- Turn in Camera Reports and Camera Card and Sound Card to the drop box in the Equipment Room as soon as possible after wrap. Be sure to scan a copy of the Camera Report first for your delivery.
- Send a Thank You Letter to the location owner/authorized agent.
- Submit Reimbursement Voucher, along with original itemized receipts and Meal Sign-In sheet to the Film School Accountant by 6pm on the Tuesday after production.
- Turn in Production Delivery Paperwork via the links in the handbook to the Head of Production by 6pm on the Tuesday after production.