Job brief
We are seeking a highly organized and resourceful Film Production Coordinator to join our growing studio production team and oversee our upcoming slate of narrative projects. You will be the backbone of our operations, managing the intricate details that transform a screenplay into a finished visual experience. This is an exciting opportunity for a detail-oriented professional to play a critical role in high-stakes productions, working alongside industry veterans to drive efficient and creative media workflows. If you are passionate about the mechanics of filmmaking and excel at solving complex logistical challenges, we would love for you to lead our coordination efforts.
Key highlights
- Draft and distribute daily call sheets to cast and crew, ensuring all logistical details regarding transport, locations, and shooting schedules are clear.
- Manage and track departmental production budgets using Movie Magic Budgeting to ensure expenditures align with studio-approved project financial caps.
- Liaise with casting directors, talent agents, and unions to ensure strict adherence to SAG-AFTRA and DGA labor guidelines and safety protocols.
- Facilitate seamless communication between the Line Producer, Director, and various department heads to proactively mitigate delays on set.
What is a Film Production Coordinator?
A Film Production Coordinator acts as the central hub of a film or television set, bridging the gap between creative vision and logistical execution. By managing complex production schedules, tracking departmental budgets, and overseeing daily administrative operations, a Film Production Coordinator ensures that cast and crew have the resources needed to deliver high-quality media on time. This role requires mastery of production management software like Movie Magic Scheduling and deep familiarity with industry-standard union regulations, making it essential for keeping large-scale media productions on track.
What does a Film Production Coordinator do?
A Film Production Coordinator orchestrates the daily workflow of a film set by coordinating call sheets, managing production logistics, and facilitating communication between the producer, department heads, and studio executives. They utilize platforms such as SetKeeper or Scenechronize to track daily progress reports, manage vendor invoices, and ensure that all equipment rentals and location permits remain within budget. On any given day, they might be troubleshooting technical transit issues, scheduling location scouts, or ensuring the production remains in full compliance with SAG-AFTRA and IATSE guild agreements.
Key responsibilities
- Draft and distribute daily call sheets to cast and crew, ensuring all logistical details regarding transport, locations, and shooting schedules are clear.
- Manage and track departmental production budgets using Movie Magic Budgeting to ensure expenditures align with studio-approved project financial caps.
- Coordinate location logistics, including obtaining municipal film permits, securing base camp sites, and managing parking requirements for the production fleet.
- Oversee the procurement and rental of camera, lighting, and grip equipment, ensuring all gear arrivals and returns align with production milestones.
- Liaise with casting directors, talent agents, and unions to ensure strict adherence to SAG-AFTRA and DGA labor guidelines and safety protocols.
- Maintain centralized production binders and digital assets, updating tracking logs for daily wrap reports and union timecards for payroll processing.
- Facilitate seamless communication between the Line Producer, Director, and various department heads to proactively mitigate delays on set.
- Coordinate travel arrangements, lodging, and per diem distributions for cast and crew during on-location shoots and remote production phases.
Requirements and skills
- 3+ years of professional experience as a Production Coordinator, Production Assistant, or similar role within a commercial or narrative film environment.
- Advanced proficiency in production management software including Movie Magic Scheduling, Movie Magic Budgeting, and SetKeeper or Scenechronize.
- Deep working knowledge of union labor regulations, specifically SAG-AFTRA, IATSE, and Teamsters local agreements for film and television.
- Demonstrated ability to manage complex multi-location logistics, international travel requirements, and large-scale equipment rental manifests.
- Bachelor’s degree in Film Production, Media Studies, Business Administration, or a related field, or equivalent industry certification.
- Proven track record of managing production budgets exceeding $500k, with high attention to detail regarding purchase orders and vendor invoicing.
- Exceptional ability to synthesize technical production requirements into actionable plans for diverse teams in high-pressure, time-sensitive environments.
- Expertise in digital asset management and file-sharing workflows, including proficiency with Google Workspace, Dropbox, and industry-standard payroll software.
FAQs
What does a Film Production Coordinator do on a daily basis?
A Film Production Coordinator acts as the glue that keeps a film set running smoothly, handling everything from distributing daily call sheets to managing location permits. They are responsible for tracking the daily budget, managing equipment rentals, and resolving logistical conflicts that arise during production. By coordinating between department heads and studio executives, they ensure the Director’s creative requirements are met while keeping the set safe and compliant with union regulations.
What qualifications are needed to become a Film Production Coordinator?
To become a Film Production Coordinator, you typically need several years of experience as a Production Assistant or Office Production Assistant, where you gain hands-on knowledge of set etiquette and studio operations. Proficiency in industry-standard software like Movie Magic Scheduling and Budgeting is essential, along with a deep understanding of guild contracts such as SAG-AFTRA and IATSE. A degree in Film or Media Production provides a strong foundation, but proven reliability and crisis management skills are the most valued qualifications in this role.
Who does a Film Production Coordinator work with most closely?
A Film Production Coordinator works in constant tandem with the Line Producer and the Unit Production Manager (UPM) to manage the financial and logistical health of the project. They also maintain daily communication with the 1st Assistant Director regarding schedule changes and location logistics. Additionally, they serve as the point of contact for department heads—such as the heads of Art, Camera, and Sound—to ensure they have the resources, equipment, and access necessary to execute their work on time.
Is a Film Production Coordinator an entry-level position?
A Film Production Coordinator is generally not an entry-level position; it is a mid-level role that carries significant responsibility for the project's financial and logistical success. Most professionals start as entry-level Production Assistants to learn the industry workflow, nomenclature, and organizational systems before stepping into a coordinator role. Because they are tasked with managing budgets and union relations, firms look for candidates who have already demonstrated maturity and precision in smaller-scale support roles.