Line Producer Jobs
What does a Line Producer do?
A Line Producer oversees the day-to-day operational and financial running of a production. Working between the executive producers and the production crew, they break down scripts, build and manage budgets, hire department heads, negotiate contracts, and maintain the shooting schedule from pre-production through wrap. They are the primary point of accountability for whether a project is delivered on time and on budget, making constant real-time decisions to keep the production moving without compromising the creative brief.
Key responsibilities
- Build and manage the full production budget, tracking actuals against estimates throughout the shoot
- Break down scripts or briefs to create detailed shooting schedules in collaboration with the director and AD
- Hire and manage key crew members and department heads
- Negotiate vendor, location, and equipment deals to control costs
- Oversee daily cost reports and flag budget variances to executive producers
- Coordinate logistics across departments to ensure smooth day-to-day operations on set
Skills & tools
Education & background
Degree in film production, media, or a related field, though most Line Producers progress through hands-on production coordinator or UPM experience
Career path
Typically progresses from Production Coordinator or Unit Production Manager (UPM); can advance to Executive Producer or move into producing independently