Head of production
The intermediary between the director and the producer
An audiovisual production is generally the result of collaboration between a director, who wants to bring a story to life, and a producer, who makes financial and human resources available to the project, with a view to making a profit. Between these two major players, the production manager acts as an intermediary.
Role and missions
The production manager is involved in a number of areas, starting with finance.
The financial sums involved in an audiovisual production, whether for film, television or even the web, are often substantial. So it’s vital first of all to estimate the amount involved. This is the job of the production manager: on the basis of the script, he or she will draw up an estimated budget, and ‘retract’ the items he or she considers too expensive. To do this, he negotiates with the director, proposes alternative solutions, and imposes his decision when the situation requires it.
Throughout the project, he ensures that the budget set by the production team is respected. It also recruits the various trades required to produce the audiovisual work, negotiates contracts and ensures that all the necessary equipment is available. Guaranteeing that production deadlines are met, he or she is regularly present during filming, settling last-minute details and acting as a key contact for everyone involved. He or she also takes part in discussions about the distribution / broadcast strategy.
Head of production : training and qualifications
To become a production manager, it is essential to have acquired knowledge of audiovisual economics, to have integrated the components of audiovisual production, to have grasped all the trades involved in a project… These are the concepts that the Audiovisual and Cinematographic Production Designer course offered at CinéCréatis enables students to acquire. In addition to comprehensive theoretical and practical teaching, the course includes a professional immersion programme designed to give students all the keys they need for optimal professional integration.
Qualities required to become a production manager
The world of audiovisual has no secrets for the production manager. They know everyone involved in the project, their field of action and their skills. Their financial expertise enables them to make estimates as close as possible to the needs of the production. They also have a thorough grasp of the legal aspects of audiovisual production, and are fully conversant with the applicable collective agreements and regulatory obligations to which the project is subject. His leadership makes him the driving force behind the project, and he knows how to manage stress. After all, any failure on his part could result in considerable financial loss! He also demonstrates great rigour and unfailing commitment, enabling him to anticipate any situation that could affect the smooth running of the project.
Production manager: career and development prospects
The job of production manager clearly requires maturity. Managing people, coping with situations of intense stress and maintaining an overall vision of the project are qualities that must be acquired. It is through the projects and the experience they accumulate on each production that production managers will gradually shape the rest of their careers. His successes, reputation and credibility grow as he goes along, enabling him to be entrusted with bolder, larger-scale projects.
The production manager’s salary
Remuneration can vary greatly from one world to another. For example, a production director working in the film industry is likely to be paid more than someone working on a television programme or series. We can establish a salary base starting at around €2,500 gross per week for a junior profile.
