A unit production manager, also known as a UPM, is in charge of coordinating and overseeing the production of films, television shows, and theater productions. The UPM is in charge of overseeing the production from start to finish, with a focus on keeping the project on budget and on schedule. Aside from these two major responsibilities, the unit production manager has a slew of other responsibilities to fulfill.
The unit production manager’s job begins once a production is given the green light to begin. One of the first responsibilities of the UPM is to break down the script and estimate costs in order to create a budget for the production. Once a budget has been established, the production manager is responsible for ensuring that the production does not go over budget. Another responsibility of the unit production manager is to create a production schedule, which is linked to the budget; if the production falls behind schedule, costs often rise. As a result, it is the UPM’s responsibility to ensure that the schedule is followed.
Another task for the unit production manager is to locate suitable locations for the production. This is more applicable to film and television productions than to theater. The UPM is responsible for obtaining permits and permission to use the locations once they have been established. This may entail communicating with local authorities, particularly in the case of large productions. The UPM is also responsible for arranging housing and transportation for the cast and crew when shooting on location.
Hiring personnel is often a part of the job, in addition to arranging for the logistics of a production. Crew members, such as camera and lighting personnel, are the most common types of personnel hired by the UPM. Another job responsibility is to secure contracts with the crew. It is advantageous if the UPM is familiar with the fundamentals of production technology, such as lighting, editing, and camera work, as this will aid in hiring decisions and allow the UPM to provide technical assistance if needed during production.
The production manager also arranges for the proper equipment to be present on set. Another aspect of the job is ensuring that all those who require insurance coverage have it during production. In addition, this position is responsible for ensuring that all parties involved follow the various production regulations, such as safety, union, and guild regulations.
It is critical for the unit production manager to be aware of the status of the production at all times. Another duty of the UPM is to write daily reports of decisions, expenses, and activities. While the UPM is not involved in the creative aspects of production, he or she is in charge of all other daily decisions and must delegate tasks to ensure that everything runs smoothly.