WHAT DO FILM TRANSPORTATION COORDINATORS DO?

WHAT DO FILM TRANSPORTATION COORDINATORS DO?

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Transportation Coordinators may work for a studio, a transportation company, but usually are independent film industry specialists hired for the run of a show. Arranging the transport of goods for multiple clients or in a materials department of a company arranging deliveries. ... Coordinators work in a fast-paced environment, which includes daily scheduling and handling multiple routes, drivers, and deliveries.

Particularly on big budget features, the transportation department is run by the Transport Coordinator who oversees the entire transportation requirements for the film. He or she employs one or more Transport Managers to manage the use of the support vehicles, as well as the trucks and vans used to transport equipment.

Transport Coordinators employ one or more Transport Managers to oversee vehicles such as mobile make-up and costume units, artist's caravans, mobile production offices, or mobile toilet units (known as honey-wagons), as well HGV lorries to move props, sets and equipment. They also appoint a Transport Captain to run the daily transportation of cast and crew during a shoot.

Transport Coordinators are responsible for managing the Transport budget. They make sure vehicles are hired at competitive prices and that all costs are within budget. Their role also involves setting up the production transport schedule, making sure all vehicles arrive at the right place at the right time. In the case of international shoots, this involves overseeing the transport of cast, crew, vehicles and equipment to very remote locations - either by air or by sea. A great deal of advance planning is needed for a big budget feature shooting in the desert in Morocco, for example.

In the case of international shipments, Transport Coordinators are responsible for making sure that vehicles and their contents have the right permits to travel across international borders. They are also responsible for the safe return to the base countries of all cast, crew, vehicles and equipment.

Usually at least a month before shooting begins, the Transportation Coordinator receives a copy of the script and studies it closely. The Director and Producer meet with you — the Transportation Coordinator — to discuss where each scene will take place, and they provide you with a schedule that details when each shot will start and stop. They also provide you with a budget for your work.

There are too many details to handle alone so you hire a crew of Drivers to assist. Each Driver must fill out the proper paperwork, be a member of the union, and pass a drug test. You ensure that all of these requirements are met, and you draw up a detailed schedule for each Driver. Next, you arrange for rental cars and trucks.

Hours before the shoot begins, you and your crew haul equipment to the location and you set up the equipment. During the shoot, you have a chance to relax and enjoy the action. Taking a nap may even be allowed, as long as you don’t sleep on the set.

When the shoot is over, you pack up the equipment and load it onto trucks for transport back to the studio or storage facility. Before you return rented equipment, you check it for damage.

The lowdown:

•       Organizing all Transport needs for major films
•           Managing the Transport budget
•           Hiring members of the Transport team
•           Managing all the large vehicles on a film production
•           Managing the transport of equipment to the shoot
•           Working with the Location team and other crew members  

To do this job, you will need to:

•         Have good transport and film industry experience
•         Have extensive driving experience
•         Have good literacy and numeracy skills
•         Have an understanding of international transport issues, permits and visas
•         Have excellent planning, budgetary and management skills
•         Have good attention to detail
•         Have a good geographical sense and understanding
•         Be resourceful
•         Be adaptable
•         Have good communication skills
•         Be a good negotiator
•         Be an excellent timekeeper
•        Have a thorough knowledge of driving laws
•         Have a good understanding of relevant health and safety laws and procedures

TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT

The Transport Department varies in size depending on the scale of the shoot. On big budget features, the department is run by the Transport Coordinator who oversees the entire transportation requirements for the film. He or she employs one or more Transport Managers to manage the use of the support vehicles, as well as the trucks and vans used to transport equipment. Transport Coordinators also appoint Transport Captains to take charge of the travel arrangements of cast and crew. Transport Captains ensure that people are picked up at the right place, and delivered to the set on time, by private cars, mini-buses or coaches. Smaller budget films may only employ the services of one Transport Captain, who ensures that cast and crew arrive on time.

Members of the Transport Department are likely to have extensive experience of working in the transport industry, either as HGV drivers, or as private hire drivers. They must be aware of, and abide by, existing transport legislation, and ensure that their vehicles are safe and roadworthy. Each of the Transport Department roles requires good timekeeping and communication skills.

Sources: Google, IMDB, Media Match, Pinterest, Wikipedia, Study, Inside Jobs, Creative Skill Set