Job roles and working patterns

Production manager 

Production managers often work shift/ work variable hours. Shift work is when different groups of workers under go their shifts at different periods in time. Variable hours is when a workers hours can alter each day depending on the job role they need to fulfil. Production managers work with head of departments to ensure that estimates and budgets are completed when locating production materials and supplies. They also work with directors to ensure that the departments budget is on track as well as working with the production finance team to form weekly cost reports. The responsibility of a production manager includes things such as signing releases, negotiating contracts and ensuring payments are made. Approximately, the starting salary for a production manager can be anything around £25,000 whereas the roles higher up the scale can be paid up to £60,000.


Art director 

Art directors main role is to enhance the visuals on set. They work with other departments such as construction and design to create a suitable look that the film aspires to be. Also, they ensure all costs are within the departments budget. Art directors may work variable hours depending on what duties need to be fulfilled. An art directors salary starts at around £25,000


Music editor 

Music editors are responsible for any piece of music that is included within the film. Editors work with the music editors to ensure that music is cut to beat and to shot perfectly. This can be a be a vital role within the production of a film because the music is what can enhance a scene. Music editors are full time employed due to films usually including vast amounts of music. The starting salary for a music editor is around £25,000.


Sound mixer 

Sound mixers are responsible for the quality of the sound on set. They must ensure that all sound is at the highest of quality and separate the sounds that they don't want from the sounds that they do. Sound mixers work with different departments to identify which sound recorder and microphones should be used and placed in order to achieve the best quality sound. Sound mixers are usually freelance workers which means they are self employed. They can work for a number of different companies after being hired to their job role being relatively short compared with others. The starting salary for a sound mixer can be anything around £30,000.


Producer 

Producers main roles are to finance the production. They are the ones who give the green light for the budget and production schedule. They work with different departments in order to come to an agreement of the what the final budget will be. Working hours for producers are often irregular working houses due to problems occurring at any time. The average salary for a producer can range from £35,000 to £60,000.


Location scout 

Location scouts are responsible for finding the perfect environment to shoot a scene for a film. Their role is take multiple trips to different location and assess the pros and cons to the location. Once they have assessed which location is most suitable for the scene to be shot in, they then need to gain permission from who the location belongs to. Locations scouts tend to work with the director to ensure that the directors vision is incorporated within the location. They work with the producer as well go ensure that the cost of the location is within the budget of the film. A location scout is paid at an hourly rate. The rate can increase to £34 per hour which for a 10 hour day adds up to £340. Location scouts hours are often unsociable because they are more likely to assess locations when they are empt rather than packed.


Bookings co-oridnator 

Booking coordinators often work with the clients helping with costs, quote jobs, creating involves and create confirmation forms. They often work with facility managers in order to help manage resources and facilities of each job. This job role is considered to be full time. Starting salaries for this job role can range from £16,000 to £25,000.


Part time camera man 

A part time camera man will work with the director and the director of photography in order to achieve the appropriate shots that are required for the scene. This job role tends to get paid at piece rate. The working hours for a part time camera are part time so they work under 36 hours a week.