Unit Production Manager


The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation Presents

02:26

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Highlights
Abby Singer on the duties of a unit production manager
03:36
Bernie Oseransky on advice to aspiring production managers "be able to roll with the punches"; on what he looks for first in a script, to spot potential problems
01:59
Stewart MacGregory on the technical aspects of being a unit manager on Wide Wide World
05:32
Robert Justman on the differences between Unit Production Manager and first assistant director
01:07
Bernie Oseransky on managing the budgets for shows as a UPM (called "production coordinator" at the time) at Ziv Television
01:50
Abby Singer on advice to people getting into production management and his influence in the business
02:02
Who talked about this profession

Robert Justman

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Robert Justman on the differences between Unit Production Manager and first assistant director
01:07

Stewart MacGregory

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Stewart MacGregory on the technical aspects of being a unit manager on Wide Wide World
05:32
Stewart MacGregory on the difference between a unit manager and a production manager 
01:53

Kent McCray

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Kent McCray on the craft of being a production manager
06:00
Kent McCray on the importance of keeping things light with his crew
01:30

Bernie Oseransky

View Interview
Bernie Oseransky on managing the budgets for shows as a UPM (called "production coordinator" at the time) at Ziv Television
01:50
Bernie Oseransky on the challenges of shooting Hawaii Five-O on location in Hawaii, as opposed to Los Angeles and shooting in "pineapple juice"
01:22
Bernie Oseransky on what makes a good production manager
00:55
Bernie Oseransky on what it means to be a good production manager; on working with local crews as PM on Hawaii Five-O; on location in Hawaii
01:22
Bernie Oseransky on advice to aspiring production managers "be able to roll with the punches"; on what he looks for first in a script, to spot potential problems
01:59

Abby Singer

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Abby Singer on the duties of a unit production manager
03:36
Abby Singer on what makes a good production manager
02:38
Abby Singer on the main responsibilities of a production manager/executive, and a typical work week
02:41
Abby Singer on advice to people getting into production management and his influence in the business
02:02
About

“I think a production manager should always help his director - the first thing he should be able to say is not to say ‘no.’ Too many of them say ‘no’ on everything, I don't believe that. I believe if [the director] wants a certain shot, maybe you can pull the money out of the prop department, out of makeup, out of hair, out of sound, somewhere. …I believe in helping a director every time it comes up.” - Abby Singer, Production Executive

The Unit Production Manager is required to coordinate, facilitate and oversee the preparation of the production unit or units assigned to him or her, all off-set logistics, day-to-day production decisions, locations, budget schedules and personnel. This can include preparing breakdown and preliminary shooting schedule, preparing or coordinating the budget, overseeing preliminary search and survey of all locations, assisting in the prepartion of the production to insure continuing efficiency, supervising completion of the Production Report for each day's work, coordinating arrangements for the transportation of cast, crew, and staff, overseeing the securing of releases and negotiating for locations and personnel, and maintaining a liaison with local authoritites. - Directors Guild of America

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