How To Become a Line Producer

How to become a Line Producer

What is a Line Producer?
Often hired almost immediately by the Producers and Executive Producers, Line Producers are responsible for the financial side of any Film or TV production. The name of the job originates from the difference between below-the-line and above-the-line cost of productions.

In order to do so, they break down the script into a shooting timetable, determining how long each shooting will take and all the relative expenses. Once the timetable is complete, they compute a provisional budget so that the producer can start raising funds for the film to go into pre-production.

Once above-the-line costs are determined (including cost for writers, producers, directors and cast), as soon as they are employed, they are given the script while still in development to start assessing below-the-line costs.

During pre-production, they communicate with chiefs from all departments to set up the schedule for the all the shootings, they hire the production team, supporting artists and monitor all key activities.

Line Producers implement financial monitoring systems, making sure every expense is in the budget, including unforeseen circumstances, sometimes juggling figures to make ends meet.

At the end of production, they oversee the wrap of the production. Line Producers are usually employed as freelancers, and the role is well paid but involves long working hours. Additionally, when a Line Producer has a creative input, he or she can be credited as Co-Producer.

Key Skills
Experience and know-how within a production environment are the main requirements for a Line Producer, being responsible for a smooth execution of all the key activities involved from pre-production to wrap. Extensive experience in the industry should also come with good contacts, which definitely come in handy when having to troubleshoot production issues within a tight schedule.

Diplomacy and communication are needed as Line Producers are supposed to split production budget between all the different departments of a production. This aspect of the job also requires good leadership, ability to plan in advance but also being flexible enough to change schedules at the last-minute. Experience of budgeting and, most of all, the rare ability of being able to balance a satisfactory creative outcome with a limited production budget is also key.

Education & Training
No specific education is required for this role, although a degree in film-making related subjects, or a business oriented academic path might be beneficial to lay the necessary knowledge foundation to perform well on the job.

Where Can It Take You?
While the role itself is very well paid and demanding, Line Producers wishing to put their own creative direction into a production might progress to Co-Production, Production or Executive Production roles.

How to Get to Work as a Line Producer
Being a role which involves a variety of skills, it is possible to become a Line Producer from several different career paths such as Assistant Direction, Production Office and Location Management.

As for many roles in the industry, most Line Producers start their career as Runners or Production Assistants before working their way up to this position by gaining experience, demonstrating skills and creating a good industry network.

Become a Line Producer today
If you are ready for the next step in your career, why not take a look at the latest Line Producer vacancies on our jobs board? You can view our latest vacancies here.