Line Producer – Managing Film Budgets and Cost Reports

Film production has a middle management position called “Line Producer” and/or “Unit Production Manager”. This person is charged with the responsibility of bringing the production in on time and on budget – really – and from the ground level. Most Line Producers and UPM’s learn their ability to manage shooting schedules through education and on-the-job experience. But, what about managing budgets and the related weekly cost report?

Breaking In As A Line Producer – Managing Costs and Reports

How does a 1st Assistant Director, a young producer, a filmmaker, a location manager, etc bust in as a Line Producer? How do they get exposure to the very confidential Cost Reporting process? In this environment of producing films cheaper-better-faster it’s especially important for Line Producers to understand the “Production Management” of budgets and cost reports.

Confidentiality of the Management of Film Budgets and Cost Reports

The confidentiality of the film budget, and its cousin, the weekly cost report, creates a barrier for emerging Line Producers. Most learn through a series of hard-knocks, easily avoidable with some practical training. However, there just isn’t any time on set for an active Line Producer to apprentice someone. It’s too fast and too late. The only way to learn this very important aspect of the film BUSINESS is to train in a controlled environment.

The Practical Methods of Managing Budgets and Costs

During a series of 6 live webinars, each 90 minutes long, we will review a $9Mil budget from several angles, learning the practical methods of managing a film budget used by film producers and production accountants everywhere. From that very important step, we practice the essential steps in controlling and reporting the production costs through the Weekly Cost Report – this report is fundamental to ALL media-based productions, and is reviewed weekly by the completion guarantors, the financiers, the studios, etc. In addition you will be introduced to the 6 basic ways that you can use to control the costs before they are spent.

Visit http://www.talkfilm.biz/filmworkshops5.htm to learn more. The next series of live online webinars is every Tuesday and Thursday night starting October 28, 2014. Note that the webinars are recorded for review at your convenience.

Cheers / John