Question 1

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

Anna McNatt · Accepted Answer

“Show up to every available set in the beginning. At the end of the day, you’re going to learn the most by getting involved and gaining practical experience. This is also a good way to network and develop mentors. Don’t be afraid to ask questions about why paperwork is organized a specific way. There is usually a reason.
“Additionally, the more personal relationships someone has, the more context they’ll have to ask the right questions. Offer to go above and beyond once a task has been taught, like doing the grunt work of filling out a production report and a veteran Unit Production Manager will bring you on to future jobs. By showing up and proving to be an asset that’s reliable, you can create future work and means to learn the trade.”

Question 2

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

Anna McNatt · Accepted Answer

“Hasty decision-making can lead to lots of trouble. There is a lot of pressure in pre-production and on a film set. Unfortunately, lots of people are opportunists so if they notice that a Unit Production Manager is green then they’ll take advantage of that.
“It’s important to take a deep breath and ask for help when needed. There is nothing wrong with going to a mentor or reaching out to a Facebook group for ideas on how to handle a situation. The more methodical a person is in the beginning, the fewer problems they’ll create for themselves down the road.
“The Production Department is a forward-thinking group that is trying to anticipate problems before they happen. Every production is its own little monster so the more clearly tasks are delegated, the smoother a set is going to run. If a decision is made without forethought it can either sink a production or make a myriad of problems down the road.”

Question 3

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

Anna McNatt · Accepted Answer

“What is the best way to befriend a mentor?
“Most people never inquire how a person is doing on set, whether they’d like a cup of coffee or something from Craft Services. Usually, it is divided by department. If someone is trying to break in as a Production Assistant looking for a mentor, one of the best things they can do is to cross borders and put in extra effort to make someone else feel good.
“Never underestimate the power of creating a personal connection. Many people will spend countless hours sending out introductory letters or applying to jobs on Mandy.com, however, taking a couple days out of their week to get on a good show and support a working professional can lead to many more career opportunities.”

Question 4

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

Anna McNatt · Accepted Answer

“What gets overlooked?
“It is quite common for a UPM to be dealing with multiple issues on a film set and forget that each person has a specific function and needs to be respected. It’s not so much an issue of being mean but remembering that if a Grip has an issue with their paycheck or a safety issue, then they need personal attention.
“If they feel ignored, their disgruntled nature can spread to other people within the department. If one department goes down, then it slows the entire shoot. Therefore, taking the time to listen to each person and make them feel special will inadvertently make the entire production move at a faster pace.”

Question 5

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

Anna McNatt · Accepted Answer

“Passion.”

Question 6

Is a Unit Production Manager the same as a Line Producer?

Anna Keizer · Accepted Answer

The Unit Production Manager is a separate role from that of Line Producer. The Line Producer’s main focus is the maintenance of a film’s budget and schedule. The UPM is tasked with making sure everything else runs smoothly over the course of a film.

Question 7

Is a Unit Production Manager below the line?

Anna Keizer · Accepted Answer

In a word, yes. The Unit Production Manager is typically considered the most senior position of all below-the-line positions.

Question 8

What is the difference between a Producer and a Unit Production Manager?

Anna Keizer · Accepted Answer

Given that the Unit Production Manager is the person who makes sure that the filmmaking process is a smooth one, they will typically work very closely with the Producers on a film. They often will report to the Producers with any issues or to coordinate the resolutions to those issues.

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Unit Production Manager