Bruce
Bisbey…please follow me at: https://dumbdogproductionsllc.blogspot.com
LINE PRODUCER
A line producer is a type of film producer who is the key
manager during daily operations of a feature film, advertisement film,
television film, or an episode of a TV program. A line producer works on one
film at a time. They are responsible for human resources and handling any
problems that come up during production.
"A line producer is basically there to make the
director's vision achievable".
WHAT DO LINE PRODUCERS DO?
The Line Producer is one of the first people to be
employed on a film's production by the producer and executive producers. A Line
Producer is a key member of the production team for a motion picture.
Typically, a Line Producer manages the budget of a motion picture.
Alternatively, or in addition, they may manage the day to day physical aspects
of the film production, serving a role similar to the unit production manager.
Line Producers usually do not act as part of the creative team for a picture.
Because Line Producers work on location, they don't work on more than one film
at a time (unlike other producer roles). A Line Producer may also hire key
members of the crew, negotiate deals with vendors, and is considered the head
of production. Line Producers are rarely involved in the development of the
project, but often play a crucial role in costing the production in order to
provide investors with the confidence to invest in the project. As soon as the
finance has been raised, the Line Producer supervises the preparation of the
film's budget, and the day to day planning and running of the production. Line
Producers are usually employed on a freelance basis. They must expect to work
long hours, though the role can be financially very rewarding. Career advancement
is based on their experience and reputation. Where a Line Producer has a
creative input to the production, he or she is often credited as a coproducer.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
According to Producers Guild of America (PGA) guidelines,
the Line Producer is the individual who reports directly to the individual(s)
receiving "Produced By" credit on the theatrical motion picture and
is the single individual who has the primary responsibility for the logistics
of the production, from pre-production through completion of production; all
Department Heads report to the Line Producer.
The line producer functions like a chief operations
officer in running the production company. During pre-production,
responsibilities include supervising the assembly of the shooting company,
recruitment of key personnel and services, and production organization for how
to shoot the script and transform it into a movie. The line producer plans
start dates for everyone and everything, and monitors the budget in the lead up
to picture. Film production generally follows a rigorous schedule. The line
producer facilitates casting, location scouting, set building and decorating,
offices and stages, wardrobe, props, stunts, physical and visual effects,
camera, lighting, rigging, transportation, cast, crew and union relations,
travel, cast and crew accommodation, contracting of legal permissions and
agreements, safety and risk management, prep and shooting schedule. In short,
the line producer oversees the joint planning, negotiations, implementation and
accounting for production.
Line Producers are in charge of all the business aspects
of the physical production of films. They are called Line Producers because
they cannot start work until they know what the 'line' is between the
'above-the-line' costs, which relate to writers, producers, directors and cast,
and the 'below-the-line' costs which include everything else, e.g., crew
salaries, equipment rentals, development costs, locations, set design and
construction, insurance, etc. Line Producers are usually recruited onto the
production team during the later stages of development. They are given the script
and asked to assess the likely 'below the line' cost of the production which
involves breaking down the screenplay into a schedule - a timetable for the
film shoot that shows how long it will take to shoot each scene. From this
schedule the Line Producer can accurately estimate the cost of each day's
shooting, and produce a provisional budget estimating the total amount of
funding required. Once the producer and executive producers have raised the
required finance, the film can go into pre-production.
In the studio system, the line producer reports to the
studio and typically liaises with key executives of production divisions inside
the studio such as physical production, legal, labor relations, insurance, and
finance. The line producer supports the director's vision and direct influence
on the creative expression or narrative of the film, Though it could be argued
that, through a line producer's ability to influence aspects of the film, like
allocation of resources to certain departments, they can change important
aspects of the film that have creative consequences, e.g., production value.
For example, they can affect the project's look by influencing the choice of
filming locations. While the director is in charge of all purely artistic
decisions, the line producer help substantiate the director's creative ideas by
taking care of logistics and related issues. From pre-production through
principal photography, the line producer oversees the production budget and
physical needs of the shoot. By the first day of production, several versions
of the budget have usually been drafted. A finalized or "locked"
budget is the basis for the production to move forward. A key objective of a
line producer is to respect this "locked" budget and deliver in time.
During pre-production, Line Producers work closely with
the director, production manager, first assistant director, art director and
other heads of department to prepare the production schedule and budget, and to
set the shoot date. Line Producers oversee all other pre-production activities,
including hiring the production team, setting up the production office,
location scouting, ensuring compliance with regulations and codes of practice,
sourcing equipment and suppliers, selecting crew, engaging supporting artists
and contributors, and monitoring the progress of the art department and other
production departments.
While in production, the line producer oversees the
execution of many decisions that must be made to deliver each day's shoot. The
administrative aspects, especially those that have any financial impact, are
all crucial areas of the line producer's work. These areas include but are not
limited to negotiating compensation (usually during pre-production) of crew
members (both for union and non-union productions) and resolving daily
production issues (in conjunction with the first assistant director and
possibly the unit production manager). Moreover, they provide demanded
equipment. If required, they handle unanticipated scheduling changes and serve
"as a liaison between the crew and the producer."
During production, Line Producers hand over control of the
final budget to the production accountant, and delegate the day to day
operation of the production office to the production manager and production
coordinator. However, Line Producers are ultimately responsible for overseeing
all activities, and for ensuring that the production is completed on time and
within budget. This requires setting up and implementing financial monitoring
systems, controlling production expenditure, controlling production materials,
and monitoring and controlling the progress of productions. Line Producers
usually allow a 10% contingency in the budget to cater for unforeseen
circumstances, and spend much of their time juggling figures and resources.
Line Producers are responsible for certain health and safety procedures, and
for sorting out any insurance claims. At the end of the shoot, the Line
Producer oversees the 'wrap', or winding down, of the production.
SKILLS/ QUALIFICATIONS/EXPERIENCE:
Line Producers must possess an in-depth knowledge of
scheduling and budgeting, and of all the physical and technical processes of
filmmaking. They need excellent industry contacts, and must command the respect
of the production crew. Exceptional communication skills are required, as well
as the diplomacy to balance the creative expectations of the director, artists
and creative personnel with the financial resources available. They always need
to plan for the worst, while simultaneously being able to inspire others to
excel in their work. Unlike producers, Line Producers are not responsible under
health and safety legislation for setting up health and safety procedures;
however, they are required to carry out risk assessments according to
regulatory requirements. They must therefore know how to identify the hazards
in the production environment, to assess the level of risk, to recommend
action, and to carry out a review of their assessment.
No qualifications can prepare anyone completely for this
hugely demanding role. Line Producers must have considerable industry
experience, which can only be acquired by working for a number of years in
film, television and/or commercial production. Individuals usually progress to
the role of Line Producer by working their way through a variety of roles in
assistant direction, location management and/or the production office. Many
start their careers as runners or production assistants. Line Producers must
also attend the required health and safety courses.
Sources,
References & Credits: Google, Wikipedia, Wikihow, Pinterest, IMDB, Linked
In, Indie Wire, Film Making Stuff, Film Daily, The Balance, The Numbers, Film
Maker Magazine, Media Match, Quora, Creative Skill Set, Investopedia, Variety,
No Film School, Daily Variety, The Film Agency, Wise GEEK, Media Match, How
Stuff Works, The Importance of a Line Producer, Producer's Code of Credits, Producers
Guild of America, Film Connection
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