A line producer manages the budget and oversees production in film and television. They typically have a background in production and accounting, and can gain experience through film school or working as a production assistant. Good communication and people skills are also important.
A line producer is a vital person in film and television production. Equal parts accountant and creative mind, a line producer typically oversees the allocation of money on a production. There is no set path to becoming a line producer, but many professionals find their way into the job possessing a unique set of practical and creative skills.
Many line growers have a long history of production experience. Some have worked as production assistants or served as associate or executive producers for films, shows, stage productions or web series. While it takes a good understanding of the field of production to become a line producer, it doesn’t always mean that going to film school or producing big budget movies is the only path to work. Many line producers work on small independent films to gain experience before trying their hand at being a line producer.
To become a line producer, a person must possess excellent accounting skills. One of the biggest jobs this type of producer will have is managing a production’s budget. That means studying the script to figure out what’s needed, then allocating the money provided for sets, locations, hiring crew and actors, transportation, costumes, and a host of other necessary areas. The ability to stay organized, provide accurate numbers, and manage financial crises is critical when trying to become a line producer.
As a line producer must be involved with almost all areas of production, in addition to providing budget reports to the studio and investors, it is helpful to cultivate excellent communication and people skills. Choosing to become a line producer means being prepared to serve as a mediator and firm voice of reason between the production team and the studio.
A person trying to become a line producer might attend a film school that offers production courses. Intensive study at a film school allows a new producer to familiarize himself with all the budgetary requirements for making films or directing productions, while giving him his hands-on experience as a member of a production team. Several major graduate schools, such as UCLA and the American Film Institute, offer graduate degrees in production.
If formal education is not desired, a person can become a line producer working in the ranks of industry. Producers often start out as production assistants, where a day’s work can last 16 hours and involves fetching coffee, dry cleaning and performing whatever tasks are requested. Although difficult, assistant work is often recommended by film professionals as the best way to understand how a real set works, offering opportunities to make friends and valuable business contacts.
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