Every film and television project, no matter how big or small, needs a film crew to work. Each set has a dedicated team responsible for making sure the complex behind-the-scenes process is polished and ready for the public. While most people are familiar with the big key creative contributors—director, producer, cameraman, editor, etc.—one primary role helps keep the ship afloat from start to finish: the line producer. The Line Producer is one of the most involved roles on set, as he is involved in every step of the process from pre-production to post-production. They break down the budget, manage the intricacies of planning, are responsible for hiring key roles at all stages, perform other logistical duties, and act as a manager and contact persons for several departments.
If you’ve ever wanted to be a Line Producer, or are just curious about the role, we’ve put together a deeper look at what a Line Producer does throughout a project.
What is the line producer responsible for?
Starting with pre-production, the line producer must set up all the key parts of the production. In the early stages, budgeting is the main task of the line producer, which usually occurs towards the end of the initial development stage of the project. Before officially starting pre-production, the line producer carefully reviews the script to account for all possible costs. They cover everything necessary for the operation of the project, including location, equipment, food costs and wages. The breakdown of the script also determines the length of the filming schedule, which should also be factored into the budget. From there, the line producer will create a more detailed daily filming schedule with call times and locations. In addition, the line producer oversees the hiring of key department heads, including the rest of the production team, casting director, production designer, director of photography, key wardrobe, key hair and makeup, location manager, sound engineer, and editor.
Once everything is locked down, filming begins and the line producer becomes the day-to-day contact for the crew. First, they provide all the necessary insurance for equipment, locations and crew. They are the main point of contact for payroll, making sure that payments are made on time. Before turning on the cameras, the line producer should speak with the head of each department on set throughout the day to ensure that each department is ready to shoot the next day. During this time, it also gives department heads the opportunity to ask the line producer any questions and concerns about the upcoming days of filming. The Line Producer should be on the lookout for any conflicts that arise and be prepared to resolve them if necessary.
Production also begins when the line producer begins pre-production, which also includes hiring the necessary key creative people. These typically include additional editors, composers, and sound engineers. The line producer must also lock in the post-production space for the team, make sure everything is ready for the post-production workflow, and ensure that the necessary resources are delivered after production is complete.
As soon as the project moves into the post-production stages, the duties of the line producer begin to wind down, since the post-production supervisor does most of the process. But first, the line manufacturer must collect all the packaging information obtained from the previously collected information. The Line Producer will provide schedules, budget breakdowns, contracts and any other related materials that were needed during the pre-production and production stages of the project. This is where the line manufacturer looks for budgetary changes, such as early equipment returns, budget entry, and seeking tax breaks.
Finally, the line producer is responsible for results on several different fronts. The first step is to make sure that the post-production team has everything they need to complete the film. This also means that the Line Producer will meet and talk with the post-production department heads to get more details and double-check that everything is ready for a smooth workflow. In addition, the line producer works with the team to get results for promotion and marketing. These are assets such as cuts for distributors, still photos for marketing, and the like.
How many line producers are on set?
Typically, a set will have one line producer who oversees everything during production. Depending on the scale of the project, the line producer may rely on additional producers such as associate producers or related roles such as production coordinator to help bring everything together at different stages of the project. The smaller the project, the more likely it is that a line producer will be the primary producer on set. Likewise, if the project is something like a big blockbuster or something complex with visual effects, different types of producers become more integral to the project to ensure everything goes as it should on set and in the office. When it comes to post-production, the same method is used. However, during the post-production stages, there may be several different line producers who perform more focused duties than the main line producer, depending on the needs of the project.
How to become a line producer
As with any job, working on the role of a line producer takes time and often starts from entry-level positions in the film industry. These roles come in many forms, with experience available through freelance work, independent projects, college internships, or other methods. Working on set as a production assistant or learning directly from a line producer or other producers on set will help you gain more hands-on experience. They provide a general overview of how a set works, as well as a closer look at what each person on set is responsible for on a day-to-day basis. Working on the sets will help in networking, providing connections that may be useful in the future.
In addition, having knowledge and experience in budgeting, business, and other administrative duties is an invaluable skill for a line producer. Leadership experience or the ability to take on a leadership role is another asset, as the job of a line producer involves a lot of delegating different roles. The more relevant skills you have, combined with strong connections, the more likely you are to be able to move up the chain and become a line producer.
Source: Collider
I have worked as a journalist for over 7 years and have written for many different publications. I currently work as an author at Daily News Hack, where I mostly cover entertainment news. I have a great deal of experience in the industry and am always looking to learn more. I am a highly motivated individual who is always looking to improve my skills. I am also a very friendly and personable person, which makes me easy to work with.
