The production office is the administrative side of television, responsible for the business, financial and recruitment side of television productions. The work includes planning schedules, organising resources, locations and equipment, and monitoring costs and budgets.

Job roles

• Production runner
• Production secretary
• Production co-ordinator
• Production manager
• Line producer

Duties include

• Booking travel and arranging transport for crew and talent
• Organising and handing out call sheets
• Administration including distributing paperwork, photocoping, arranging lunches/dinner, drafting contact sheets and general office admin
• Going through scripts and programme ideas with the producer and other senior production staff
• Drawing up a production schedule and budget based on the necessary logistics, timings and estimated costs
• Negotiating costs to make sure they come within budget
• Hiring crew and contractors
• Arranging any necessary permissions and risk assessments
• Making sure that the production runs to schedule and to budget
• Reporting on progress to the producers
• Dealing with any problems during filming
• Making any necessary changes to the schedule or budget (for example re-scheduling filming in bad weather)
• Making sure that health and safety rules, insurance terms, copyright laws and union agreements are followed

Skills needed

• Administration and strong organisational skills
• Good communication skills and work well in a team
• Knowledge or experience of budgeting and planning
• Knowledge of the television production process
• Knowledge of health and safety legislation and procedures

Useful links

How to become a production assistant | Tips in 60 seconds