Behind every screen production is a team making sure the people, places, schedules, budgets and practical details line up. They turn creative plans into something that can be filmed, anticipate problems, and keep things moving when plans inevitably change.

From organising a production before filming begins, to coordinating a busy set, these roles combine planning, problem-solving and people skills to help productions run safely, smoothly and on schedule.

Does this sound like you?

You might feel at home here if you enjoy organising people and information, solving practical problems, keeping track of lots of moving parts and staying calm when plans change.

Love

• Making plans
• Getting things organised
• Working with people
• Busy, fast-moving environments
• Making things happen

Strengths

• Organisation
• Communication
• Problem-solving
• Attention to detail
• Staying calm under pressure

What kind of job would suit me?

Running a screen production takes a team of people working behind the scenes and on set to keep everything organised and moving. Here are just some of them. Which of these could you picture yourself doing?

Manage the production

• Line Producer: works out how to deliver the production within its budget and schedule, overseeing the practical and financial planning needed to make filming happen
• Production Manager: manages the day-to-day business of the production, coordinating people, resources, schedules and logistics to keep everything running smoothly

Keep everything organised

• Production Coordinator: keeps information, schedules, paperwork and arrangements flowing between the many people and departments involved in a production
• Production Secretary: supports the production office with administration, documents, communications and records
• Production Assistant (runner): provides practical support wherever it is needed, from delivering paperwork and equipment to helping the production office and crew with day-to-day tasks

Keep filming on track

• Assistant Director (1st AD, 2nd AD): helps turn the filming schedule into a workable day on set. The 1st AD manages the set and keeps filming moving safely and on time, while the 2nd AD helps coordinate cast, call times and the flow of people and information

Manage the money

• Production Accountant: tracks spending, processes payments and helps make sure the production stays within its budget and meets its financial obligations

Keep the crew supported on location

• Unit Manager: sets up and manages the unit base – the facilities and support area used by cast and crew on location – making sure people have what they need throughout the filming day
• Unit Coordinator: supports the unit team by coordinating the practical arrangements, information and services needed to keep the unit base running smoothly
• Caterer: plans, prepares and serves meals for cast and crew, with the chief caterer overseeing the catering team, menus and day-to-day food service for the production

Support culturally informed production

• Cultural Consultant: provides specialist cultural knowledge and advice to help productions represent people, stories, places and cultural material appropriately and respectfully

Script your learning journey

There are many ways to build the skills and knowledge you’ll need for a career in screen. Some courses offer broad experience across screen and media, while others have a more technical, creative or theoretical focus, and even courses with the same name can offer different experiences depending on where you study. No journey is the same: the best fit will depend on what interests you, how you like to learn and where you’d like your career to take you. Explore the training and education providers below to find the kind of learning that fits you.