Film Production Management 101: Management and Coordination in a Digital Age

564 Pages·2010·29.106 MB·English

by  Deborah S. Patz

es
RRS
SPP EN: DENHSA M RS
s Conquering YouTube
TADLRIIDIGNG ATTHEO R
HON TORE TAM PGS ; SCREENEEAY WRIEING
THE WRITER'S [ec
MYT brie Nia
PAM: ELA’DOUGLAS CHAND!e i dR\ \
aeq uipe TO FREELANCING (N rinn a, TY, AN 0 ADVERTISING
MASTER SHOTS pe+Ee
TIT sTLOseu .--paxrancany’
\Le*KNOGKS...the door CREI
Ay On Ve He GOOF. ti
pc ieete ROG «ian on
REALITY TV
THE HOLLYWooD
STANDARD
aS nc
PARE RRR a, hes eH
iaicdyrg ede a Bohs NO
“If you are, or aspire to be, a Production Manager or Coordinator, having this book
with you in the production office is like having an expert beside you all the way!
This book is an excellent Bible, an essential tool for your success!”
— Deb LePaive, Line Producer/Unit Production Manager
“This book is like a good friend to anyone working in the film and television
production sector.”
— Mireille Watson, President,
Entertainment-Media Consulting, Inc.
“T’ve always believed that every film that gets made is a minor miracle. Deb Patz’s in-
valuable book is a precious and comprehensive guide to help you navigate through
so many of the traps and pitfalls that threaten the creation of your miracle.”
— Martin Harbury, Filmmiaker/ Sailor/Consultant®
“A great guide and reference book, and logically organized, Patz tackles a vast sub-
ject professionally while also.making it accessible and entertaining, A must-have
for beginners and a handy reference for the seasonéd;‘it belongs with you in the
production office.” ~ 4.
ges
— Karen Powell, Producer . i ee
“Patz delivers an invaluable roadmap in Film’ Production Management 101. Concise and
clear, this latest edition makes the leap from traditional production to moviemaking
in the digital age. It would take years working in the industry to glean the informa-
tion presented in this great, readable book. It’s a must-have for everyone from aspiring
PMs and Coordinators to seasoned Producers. Although directed toward dramatic
production, it is an excellent resource for documentary filmmakers as well.”
— Glynis Whiting, Filmgtker, Weight of the World and
Gone Sideways rs ? J
j aa...
“A comprehensive, hands-on, practical hale for both emergips and.é stablished
filmmakers. An essential addition to both the production office and post secondary
film programs.” :
—C. Leaney, Assistant Program Coordinator, Digital Film
Production Prograna, Langara College/Former Producing
Instructor, Vancouver Film School
“Film Production Management 101 gives you the “how” and the “why” for production
management drawn from Deb Patz’s deep and practical experience. It’s more than
a great guide, it’s an indispensable tool.”
— David Hauka, Producer/Director/Production Manager
“T almost hesitate to recommend Deb’ fabulous guide — it gives away more inside
information than it should.”
— Indira Guha, Entertainment Lawyer/Producer
“An invaluable and comprehensive guide. Deborah Patz has drawn on her own
experience and has written a thoroughly researched and helpful book.”
— Norman Jewison, Producer/Director, The Hurricane,
Moonstruck, Fiddler on the Roof
“If you want to make it as a top-notch show-runner or producer, Patz’s book gives
you all the info you WON'T get in the writer’s room. From setting up a production
office and hiring crew to budgeting and contracts, Film Production Management 101
is a user-friendly, in-depth guide to a world many writers don’t know much about,
but should: the nuts and bolts of physical production. For those of you who plan on
being great writers AND producers, this book should get you there in record time.”
— Chad Gervich, Writer/Producer: Wipeout, Foody Call,
Speeders, Reality Binge; Author: Small Screen, Big Picture:
A Writer’ Guide to the TV Business
“Deb Patz’s second edition of Film Production Management 101 has everything a
producer needs to get it right. An invaluable guide for the beginning filmmaker
or a reference manual for those more experienced, this volume belongs on every
filmmaker’s desk, not gathering dust on the bookshelf.”
— John Churchman, Publisher, School Video News
“At last the complex relationship between the creation of a film and the day-to-
day production management and coordination of that film is spelled out in clear,
readable, and accurate detail. Deborah has written a wonderful book which should
be extremely helpful to novice low-budget independent filmmakers and seasoned
professionals alike.”
— Sharon McGowan, Independent Producer and
Associate Professor & Chair, Film Production Program,
University of British Columbia
“The most definitive production guide I have ever read. A must for anyone who
wants to understand the production process.”
— Louis Melville, Producer/Director/ Writer and former
co-chairman, New Producers Alliance
“An exhaustive overview full of practical knowledge!!!”
— Dan Ochiva, Editor, Millimeter Magazine
“Deborah prepares you for any situation the PM and PC will encounter throughout
the life of a project. From the initial interview to the wrap party, this book guides
you on how to be prepared and how to act professionally in every circumstance.”
— Chris Robertson, www, hollywoodwritersblock.com
“This is one of the most insightful industry books I’ve ever seen. Anybody going
into this industry should read it.”
— Seaton McLean, Producer/Executive Producer
DEBORAHPATZ
PRODUCTION
ANAGEMENT
SECOND EDITION
management and coordination in a digital age
film production management 101 - 2nd edition
Published by Michael Wiese Productions
12400 Ventura Blvd. #1111
Studio City CA 91604
tel. [phone]
fax [phone]
[email protected]
WWW MWp. COM
Cover design: MWP
Book layout: Gina Mansfield Design
Editor: Judy Capodanno
Printed by Sheridan Books, Ann Arbor, Michigan
Manufactured in the United States of America
© 2010 by Deborah S. Patz
This is the second edition of FilmProduction Management 101 by Deborah S. Patz
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced 1n any form or by any
means without permission in writing from the publisher, except for the inclusion
of brief quotations 1n a review.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Patz, Deborah S.,
Film production management 101 : management and coordination in a digital age
/ Deborah S. Patz. -- 2nd ed.
p cin:
ISBN 978-1-932907-/7-3
1. Motion pictures--Production and direction. 2. Television--Production and
direction. I. Title.
PIN 1995.9.P7P375-2010
791, 4302’3--de22
2010018594
for Laura
who was there at the beginning
aS
and for Ken, Jordan, and Natalya
who fill my life with love, joy, and inspiration
vi film production management 101 - 2nd edition
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
One cannot make a film all alone... or a book such as this one. My sincere
thanks go to the many wonderful people and companies that have assisted in so
many ways to make this book possible. Beyond all the crews and the co-workers I
have worked with over the years that have given me, and continue to give me, the
forum to learn so much about business of filmmaking, I wish acknowledge in name:
Michael Wiese and Ken Lee for making this project come to life around the
world.
William Barron, John Calvert, Judy Carroll, Helena Cynamon, Kathryn
Emslie, Elizabeth Friesen, Nadine Henry, Eileen Hoeter, Seaton McLean, Rob Mills,
Toni Myers, Jamie Paul Rock, Mickey Rogers, Cheryl Wagner, Ter1 Woods-McArter
for the many of the wonderful and varied opportunities of my career.
The Canadian Film Centre for their pioneering support for the book and the
Vancouver Film School for being the first to integrate the book in their excellent
program.
My many superb Assistants over the years (too numerous to mention each
by name — but you know who you are!) for their dedication, hard work, and good
humor.
My team ofr eaders and critics for their invaluable input: Charles Braive, Mark
Callow, Carrie Chase, Jericca Cleland, Kyle Cunningham, Dixie Cutler, Arthur
Cooper, Mike Crain, Kyle Cunningham, Brian de Paoli, Alex Downie, Mary Eilts,
Marian Elliott, Lon Hall, Barb Harwood, Debbi-Jo Matias, Bob McGuirk, Robin
Mirsky-Daniels, Trish Moore, Tim Moshansky, Leslie Padorr, Deborah Osborne,
Rachard Patz, Joan Pearce, Eva Schmieg, Barbara Selkirk, Laura Sousa, Kim Steer,
Jim Sternberg.
Special thanks must also go to Scott Baker for introducing me to the book
that got the ball rolling; to Sue Phillips for seeing my abilities before I did; and to
Ann Marie Fleming for never letting me forget them.
Finally, heartfelt thanks go to my mother for teaching me how to reach
for my dreams, to my father, in loving memory, for teaching me how to live
them, and to my husband, Ken Elliott, for being there to share those dreams, for
weathering the challenges to achieve them, and for helping me to balance them
with the rest of my wonderful life.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION TO THE SECOND EDITION
INTRODUCTION
1. PROJECT DEVELOPMENT
CHAPTER 1 - GETTING HIRED
You As the Production Manager
You As the Production Coordinator
About the Production Manager & the Production Coordinator
CHAPTER 2 - BEFORE OFFICIAL PREP
From Development to Preproduction
CHAPTER 3 - BUDGETING & BREAKDOWNS
Overall Budgeting Issues
The First Read or Preparing for the First Pass
More Specific Budgeting Issues
Series & Co-Production Budgets
A Few More Overall Budgeting Issues
CHAPTER 4 - YOUR KIT & ONLINE RESOURCES
Your Reference Sources
Your Start-Up Supplies
Your Computer & Office Equipment
Identify & Insure Your Kit
Il. PREPRODUCTION
CHAPTER 5 - SETTING UP THE PRODUCTION OFFICE
The Coordinator Sets Up the Physical Production Office
The Manager Sets Up the Financial Backbone to the Office
When Information Is Confidential
Maximizing Email Confidentiality
CHAPTER 6 - HIRING CREW
Who Hires Whom
Regarding Resumes, Cover Letters & the Internet
Regarding Crew Interviews
Regarding the Office Staff & Craft Service
Union & Non-Union Crews
Mentorships & Internships
Firing Staff
viii film production management 101 - 2nd edition
CHAPTER 7 - CREW DEPARTMENTS 97
Office People a7
Cast & Casting People 100
Set People - Assistant Directors 101
Other Set People 102
Design, Building & Decorating People 104
Technical People 106
Hair, Makeup & Wardrobe People 108
Special Departments People 109
Postproduction People 111
Publicity People 114
CHAPTER 8 - WORK SPACE ORGANIZATION 117
Electronic vs. Paper Work Spaces 177
The PM’s Work Space Ls
The PC’s Work Space P19
Creating a Document Trail 126
CHAPTER 9 - TELEPHONE ETIQUETTE 129
Choosing a Telephone System 129
Reception: The Job 130
CHAPTER 10 - SETTING UPA FILING SYSTEM 135
Filing Electronically & Physically 135
The Production Coordinator's Files 13%
The Production Manager's Files 140
CHAPTER 11 - FORMS, MEMOS, LOGS, CHECKLISTS 145
Forms & Memos-lo-All to Create 145
The Distribution Table & Other Places for Documentation 157
CHAPTER 12 - COUNTDOWN TO PRODUCTION 161
Three Weeks or More before Production 161
Two Weeks before Production sp
One Week before Production 174
Ill. PRODUCTION 177
CHAPTER 13 - THE SHOOT DAY & CALL SHEETS 179
Shoot Day Format 179
Early Morning 180
Morning 184
Morning and/or Afternoon 184
Lunchtime 188
Afternoon (including Call Sheets & Location Maps) 188
Late Afternoon 190
At Wrap 191