Question 1

What is the single biggest suggestion you would give to someone wanting to get into this career?

Siddharth Ganji · Accepted Answer

“Every Line Producer needs to remember to be open-minded and not take things too hard. It is a profession where people are constantly judged.”
“Sometimes other people will go out of their way to try and beat down the Line Producer because they think they can get more money for their department and they don’t understand how budgets work. Also, if a Line Producer does make a mistake there is always a solution. Failure is a stepping stone to success.”
“Stay humble and move forward; there is always an answer to every problem. The Line Producer just needs to fret enough to figure it out.”

Question 2

What’s the #1 mistake people make when trying to get into this career?

Siddharth Ganji · Accepted Answer

“Many people change when they get power. The Line Producer often holds the production’s purse, telling people what they can or can’t do.”
“It’s important for them to remember their passion and stay the same person they were in the beginning without any additional attitude or ego. Forgetting this won’t just hinder the project but stop the Line Producer from getting future work. It is simple to say but many people forget and become their own worst enemy.”

Question 3

What is the question people should ask about this career but rarely do?

Siddharth Ganji · Accepted Answer

“Where are we at right now with budget and schedule?
“It can be difficult to keep everyone focused. Production is often like herding a bunch of cats. Creatives get caught up in their vision, what they want to achieve, and how it is going to be done. A lot of value can be found in taking stock of what has been accomplished, as well as what is happening in the present moment.”
“Effectively understanding where a production is at will impact what future decisions will be made. It sounds vague to say, but sometimes, it is making one artistic choice that will result in squeezing in another day of production. The more a crew and Line Producer communicate what is going on with production and budgets, the easier it will be for them to make educated decisions.”

Question 4

What is one thing I should have asked which I didn’t?

Siddharth Ganji · Accepted Answer

“What is contingency?
“Veteran Line Producers always calculate 10-12% as an extra buffer into their budgets. It may mean scaling back on equipment, personnel, and/or days but it provides a creative flexibility. Unforeseen problems always arise and that’s what that money is for. If it doesn’t get used, then the Line Producer looks good because they ‘saved’ money. The Director will often be happy, too, because it means they get to shoot for an extra day.”

Question 5

If you could describe in one word what makes you successful, what would it be?

Siddharth Ganji · Accepted Answer

“Patience.”

Question 6

What is the difference between a Line Producer and Producer?

Anna Keizer · Accepted Answer

A Producer is someone who generally is the driving force behind the making of a movie. Among their many responsibilities, they secure funds, hire above-the-line crew and principal cast, and find distribution for their projects. The Line Producer is the person who oversees the day-to-day logistical and budgetary needs of the production.

Question 7

Why is it called a Line Producer?

Anna Keizer · Accepted Answer

The common answer to why Line Producers have been given that title is that to carry out their duties, they must first know what their above-the-line and below-the-line budgets will be.

Question 8

How much does a Line Producer get paid?

Anna Keizer · Accepted Answer

Line Producers are integral to the success of a film. According to Zippia, the average annual salary for someone in this position is just over $46,000. Factors such as their union status, experience, number of gigs booked in a year, and the respective budgets of those projects can all affect that salary figure.

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