Today's post is about the role of a scripted Line Producer - how does it differ from that of unscripted TV, and what does a typical day look like?Line producers are at the heart of a production, hiring the crew, allocating money across all departments and making sure filming is done safely, creatively as scripts, on budget and on time. They are typically the most senior member of the production team, second only to the producers.Working closely with HoDs the LP decides how a budget gets... Read more
Today's post is about the role of a scripted Line Producer - how does it differ from that of unscripted TV, and what does a typical day look like?
Line producers are at the heart of a production, hiring the crew, allocating money across all departments and making sure filming is done safely, creatively as scripts, on budget and on time. They are typically the most senior member of the production team, second only to the producers.
Working closely with HoDs the LP decides how a budget gets best spent, delivering the best version of the creative vision.
Line Producers are ultimately responsible for all crew and their contracts, they book caterers and studio facilities, and over-see all deals and paperwork. The LP is experienced in understanding the artistry of film-making, foreseeing pitfalls and never letting the spend extend beyond the bottom line.
During production, the scripted LP keeps track of the budget & the filming process. They work both on set and in the office, dealing with the unexpected and helping find creative solutions.
At the end of the shoot, they usually oversee the wrap of the production and pass it to the post-production supervisor... it is less common for them to oversee the full post schedule as their LP peers in unscripted are more likely to do.
The role tends to have a larger budget / crew than unscripted projects & so the LP delegates many of the responsibilities their unscripted peers may have to HoDs. The support networks - especially for compliance and clearances tend to be vaster. It is about ensuring you have the best teams and regular & clear communications with them.
A typical day might involve arriving just before breakfast to welcome crew and ensure a seamless turnover at top of day. Once set is up and running the LP will likely have meetings with accounts, with payroll re contracts and HoDs to troubleshoot coming days.
Recces can run concurrently and forward planning eye's are needed to ensure teams have the finances needed to bring vision to life & also to ensure all cast and crew have sufficient time booked to deliver.
The LP should be present & someone the crew feel they can talk to. Typically the afternoon is spent troubleshooting and being solution focused - and the phone rings a lot. Ensuring a timely wrap is occurring and working on a contingency if not is also part of a typical day.
Shoot days tend to be long and the scripted LP is usually always on location once filming commences - typically being one of the first to arrive & last to leave. Luckily the LP should have onboarded a great caterer who can ensure there is a plentiful supply of good coffee to keep them going & popped said coffee supply as close as possible to their truck at base!
It's an exciting and rewarding role. Seeing a script come to life is a beautiful thing. It is also hard work, long hours and can feel like a constant battle of wills when trying to manage extensive pots of money and HoD sometimes conflicting desires.
Line producers are at the heart of a production, hiring the crew, allocating money across all departments and making sure filming is done safely, creatively as scripts, on budget and on time. They are typically the most senior member of the production team, second only to the producers.
Working closely with HoDs the LP decides how a budget gets best spent, delivering the best version of the creative vision.
Line Producers are ultimately responsible for all crew and their contracts, they book caterers and studio facilities, and over-see all deals and paperwork. The LP is experienced in understanding the artistry of film-making, foreseeing pitfalls and never letting the spend extend beyond the bottom line.
During production, the scripted LP keeps track of the budget & the filming process. They work both on set and in the office, dealing with the unexpected and helping find creative solutions.
At the end of the shoot, they usually oversee the wrap of the production and pass it to the post-production supervisor... it is less common for them to oversee the full post schedule as their LP peers in unscripted are more likely to do.
The role tends to have a larger budget / crew than unscripted projects & so the LP delegates many of the responsibilities their unscripted peers may have to HoDs. The support networks - especially for compliance and clearances tend to be vaster. It is about ensuring you have the best teams and regular & clear communications with them.
A typical day might involve arriving just before breakfast to welcome crew and ensure a seamless turnover at top of day. Once set is up and running the LP will likely have meetings with accounts, with payroll re contracts and HoDs to troubleshoot coming days.
Recces can run concurrently and forward planning eye's are needed to ensure teams have the finances needed to bring vision to life & also to ensure all cast and crew have sufficient time booked to deliver.
The LP should be present & someone the crew feel they can talk to. Typically the afternoon is spent troubleshooting and being solution focused - and the phone rings a lot. Ensuring a timely wrap is occurring and working on a contingency if not is also part of a typical day.
Shoot days tend to be long and the scripted LP is usually always on location once filming commences - typically being one of the first to arrive & last to leave. Luckily the LP should have onboarded a great caterer who can ensure there is a plentiful supply of good coffee to keep them going & popped said coffee supply as close as possible to their truck at base!
It's an exciting and rewarding role. Seeing a script come to life is a beautiful thing. It is also hard work, long hours and can feel like a constant battle of wills when trying to manage extensive pots of money and HoD sometimes conflicting desires.
