Managerial Job Roles in the TV and Film Industry

My BTEC Media students and I are moving on to their second assignments on job roles in the TV and Film Industries and we started today by looking at managerial roles. We will later be looking at editorial, creative and technical job roles and the different working patterns that people find in the media industries.

There are many different job roles in the media industry. These include managerial, creative, editorial, technical, research, financial, organisational and administrative roles. This means there are numerous ways to progress in the media industry and opportunities to earn more and have more creative influence over the products that are created. There are a great many challenges that can face those who wish to work in the media industry. Many are employed on a freelance basis and are therefore continuously looking for work. It is a very competitive industry; with many people applying for the same jobs and those who keep their skills developing and up to date, as well as knowing how to market themselves and network effectively stand the best chance of success.

Management jobs are at the top of the career ladder for many people in the media industry. They require a person to be able to oversee the work of others who are below them in the structure of the company or organisation. It is essential that managers can communicate effectively with and motivate people to best achieve their goals. Examples of managerial jobs in the media industry are production managers, floor managers and location managers.

Production Managers are responsible for running a film or television production. They are positioned between the producers and the technical and creative crew on set. Their role is to ensure that efficient and economical ways are found to schedule shoots. They also have to ensure that crews, locations and technical equipment are found and paid for in order that the production runs smoothly. Production Managers must have excellent communication skills and be prepared to work very long hours, often under time pressure. They are often freelancers, contracted to work as long as the production lasts, but will be well paid.

Production Managers must have excellent planning, organisational and administrative skills. Their role is very business oriented so they must be good at communicating and negotiating. In order to become a production manager, a person must have a great deal of experience in the film industry. Often they will have been an Assistant Director or have worked as a Production Co-ordinator or Assistant Production Manager to Production Manager.

Lots of this information came from the incredibly helpful Creative Skillset website and in particular the section on Production Managers in film. Television Production Managers are similar but also there are many differences.

If any Production Managers happen to read this, please get in touch as I'd love to get a quote or even better, get you in to talk to my students!