aka: production office coordinator, POC
Production coordinators work behind the scenes of a film, running the production office. Because filmmaking plans are constantly changing, this is a vital position that keeps a film set running smoothly.
This intermediate job role is perfect for someone who is highly organized and can work under pressure. Keep reading to learn more about becoming a production coordinator, including the main duties of the job, recommended education and skills, salary expectations, and more.
What Is a Production Coordinator?
The production coordinator is in charge of the administrative and office tasks on a film set. They assist the line producer and work with all department heads to manage and maintain the set logistics.
Film sets require a lot of organization. As such, the scheduling of a set is run by the production management team. The line producer leads the team and, under them, is the production coordinator whose main job is to run the production office.
Before filming, they help with hiring, get work permits, book hotel rooms, manage transport, and organize equipment rentals. During filming, they stay in the office to amend schedules and make script changes. Essentially, they keep everything together, ensuring that the production’s budget stays on track and the schedule on time.
A similar role is the production manager. However, the main difference is that they work on set, helping the producer. In contrast, the production coordinator always stays in the office. Their work ends after filming when they help wrap up the production.
What Does a Production Coordinator Do?
| Pre-production | – Assist the line producer – Help with film planning – Send schedules to the crew – Update scripts |
| Production | – Run the production office – Supervise office assistants – Track budget – Manage scheduling |
| Post-production | – Dismantle the office – Return admin rentals |
How to Become a Production Office Coordinator
Essential production coordinator skills:
- Administration
- Leadership
- Organization
- Coordination
- Scheduling
- Budgeting
- Problem solving
You won’t need a degree in order to become a production coordinator. However, this is a skilled admin role that requires high organization skills and a robust understanding of the filmmaking process.
As a result, it can be helpful to study film as well as business administration. It would also be advantageous to learn IT skills and to familiarize yourself with scheduling and budgeting software before applying for work.
Many coordinators start their careers as production assistants and learn necessary skills like problem-solving and organization while on the job. Production coordinator is a natural next step for PAs. However, you might not want to stop there and instead set your sights on roles in management or production.
Another way to get experience and build your skill set is to work on independent films. This will allow you to work in this job role fairly early on in your career. That said, you’ll still need some professional experience on high-end film sets as they can run differently.
Finding Production Coordinator Jobs
Production coordination is a freelance job, so you’ll work on many projects each year. That said, some of the larger film studios have full-time positions. You can also fill gaps in your schedule by working on TV shows, online videos, and adverts.
In terms of where to find work, search for entry-level jobs like production office assistant on film job sites or studio career pages. Film industry Facebook groups are another helpful resource when job hunting.
Over time, you might not need to rely so much on online job boards to find work. Many producers repeatedly hire the same production team. Production coordinators who are consistent and reliable are able to tap into this network in order to freelance full-time.
How Much Money Do Production Coordinators Make?
Minimum pay rate for production coordinators: $43.86/ hour
Before production even begins, the daily rate of a production coordinator gets negotiated with the producer. And it’s determined by factors like the project’s budget and professional experience. Another factor that can affect earning potential is whether or not you are part of a union.
