Line producer facts for kids

A line producer is a very important person on a movie or TV show set. They are like the main manager for the daily work. They make sure everything runs smoothly for a big movie, a TV movie, a TV show, or even an advertisement. A line producer usually works on one project at a time. They help with the people working on the set and fix any problems that happen. They also manage the schedule and the money for the movie or show. They handle all the physical things needed to make the film.

What Does a Line Producer Do?

According to the Producers Guild of America (PGA), the line producer is the main person in charge of how a movie or TV show is made. They report to the main producers. All the different teams, like the camera crew or the costume designers, report to the line producer.

A line producer acts like a chief operations officer for the movie or TV show. This means they run the daily business of making the film.

Getting Ready for Filming (Pre-production)

Before filming even starts, the line producer has many jobs:

• They help put together the whole filming team.
• They hire important people and services needed for the movie.
• They plan how to film the script and turn it into a movie.
• They decide when everyone and everything should start working.
• They watch the budget closely as the movie gets ready.

Making a movie usually follows a very strict plan. The line producer helps with many things, such as:

• Finding places to film.
• Building and decorating the sets.
• Getting offices and stages ready.
• Finding costumes and props.
• Planning stunts and special effects.
• Getting cameras, lights, and other equipment.
• Arranging transportation for people and gear.
• Dealing with the crew and their unions.
• Arranging travel and places for the cast and crew to stay.
• Getting legal papers and agreements signed.
• Making sure everyone is safe and managing risks.
• Creating the schedule for getting ready and filming.

In short, the line producer helps plan, discuss, carry out, and keep track of all the money for the production.

Working with the Studio and Director

If a movie is made by a big studio, the line producer talks to the studio's main people. This includes teams for physical production, legal matters, and money.

The line producer helps the director make their creative ideas happen. While the director decides on all the artistic parts of the film, the line producer takes care of the logistics. This means they handle all the practical things. For example, they can affect how the movie looks by helping choose the filming locations.

From the very beginning of planning (pre-production) until the main filming (principal photography) is done, the line producer watches the production budget. They also make sure all the physical needs for the shoot are met. By the first day of filming, the budget is usually set. A main goal for the line producer is to stick to this budget and finish on time.

During Filming (Production)

While filming is happening, the line producer makes sure many decisions are carried out each day. They handle all the office work, especially anything that costs money. These important jobs include:

• Agreeing on pay for the crew members (usually before filming starts).
• Solving daily problems that come up during filming. They often work with the first assistant director on this.
• Making sure the right equipment is available.
• Handling unexpected changes to the schedule.
• Acting as a link between the crew and the main producer.

How to Become a Line Producer

Line producers often start out as assistant directors or unit production managers. This gives them a strong background in how movies are made and how to manage time. It's common for them to keep doing one of these jobs on projects where they are also the line producer. They don't always go to a film school to learn their skills.