TV or film production manager apprenticeships - where to start
You can get into this job through
a university course
a college course
an apprenticeship
working towards this role
a broadcaster's training scheme
University
You could do a degree in media production before joining a production company.
You'll find it helpful to take a course that includes the technical side of production, work placements and the chance to make industry contacts.
You'll also need a strong knowledge of business and finance management.
Entry requirements
2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
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university courses and entry requirements
College
You could do
a college course which may help you to get a job with a media company. With experience, you could then move on to work in production management. Courses include:
Level 3 Diploma in Creative Media Production
Level 3 Diploma in Film and Television Production
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course
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Apprenticeship
You may be able to do a media production coordinator higher apprenticeship, or a creative industries production management degree apprenticeship. You'll usually need experience in production management or production accounting to do the degree apprenticeship.
You could also start out by doing a broadcast production assistant advanced apprenticeship and then work your way up to management level as your experience grows.
Entry requirements
To get onto an apprenticeship, you'll find it useful to have:
4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a degree apprenticeship
5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
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higher and degree Apprenticeships
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Work
You could start as a runner or an assistant in the production office, then move on to become a production co-ordinator or assistant production manager. You could also start as a trainee production accountant.
Another option is to go from a job as a runner to 3rd, 2nd and 1st assistant director, or from assistant TV floor manager, then to floor manager or location manager.
volunteering
You'll need a lot of experience in TV or film, and an in-depth understanding of the production process to get into this job. Your experience and track record will often be more important than formal qualifications.
You can search for film and TV companies to approach for experience through media business listing services like PACT and The Knowledge.
Having a network of contacts in the industry will help you to find work.
Other Routes
You may be able to get training through one of the new entrant training schemes that broadcasters and film bodies offer. For example:
BBC trainee schemes
Channel 4 training scheme
ITV Careers
BFI
You could also take short courses in production skills run by film schools, regional screen agencies and private training providers.
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Career tips
You may find it helpful to have accounting skills and qualifications because of the budget management work involved with this job.
Professional and industry bodies
You could join The Production Guild for professional recognition, training opportunities and to make industry contacts.
Further information
You can find out more about working in production management from ScreenSkills and ProductionBase.
You can find out more about creative careers from Discover Creative Careers.
TV or film production manager apprenticeships - what it takes
Skills and knowledge
You'll need:
knowledge of media production and communication
the ability to organise your time and workload
excellent written communication skills
leadership skills
to be thorough and pay attention to detail
the ability to use your initiative
to be flexible and open to change
patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently
Restrictions and Requirements
You'll need to:
have a first aid certificate
TV or film production manager apprenticeships - what you'll do
Day-to-day tasks
During the planning stages of a production, you may:
work with the producer and senior production staff
draw up a production schedule and budget
negotiate costs with suppliers
hire crew and contractors
approve bookings of resources, locations, equipment and supplies
arrange permissions and risk assessments
manage a production office team
During filming, you could:
make sure the production runs to schedule
control and monitor production spending
report on progress to the producers
deal with any problems during filming
make any necessary changes to the schedule or budget, like rescheduling filming in bad weather
make sure that health and safety rules, insurance terms, copyright laws and union agreements are followed
Working environment
You could work at a film studio, on a film set, in an office or at a TV studio.
Your working environment may be outdoors some of the time and you may spend nights away from home.
Career path and progression - TV or film production manager apprenticeships
You could work on freelance contracts for television broadcasters or independent production companies and negotiate better fees based on your experience and reputation.
You could open your own studio or move into working as an executive producer, where you'll be responsible for several productions at once.