Exerpts from
Get A Reel Job

by Philip Nemy

PRESIDENT/PHYSICAL PRODUCTION - the head of all physical production for the studio; has the authority to approve all production budgets when films are greenlit by his creative counterpart, the President/Head of Production; is usually the supervisor of the higher-budgeted, more complex and often sensitive productions.

 VP, PHYSICAL PRODUCTION - oversees the physical production of greenlit films (the nuts-and-bolts of making the film); approves the hiring of the line producer & unit production manager; liaison between the production company and the studio’s creative executives assigned to the film; trouble-shoots daily production of film.

 EXECUTIVE PRODUCTION MANAGER - an experienced DGA UPM hired in a staff position to supervise, negotiate and approve all labor and equipment deals; usually only visits the set if a major problem occurs that the Production Executive cannot handle; also supervises the Production Executive.

 PRODUCTION EXECUTIVE - (PE) usually assigned to two or more films at a time; prepares initial production plan for the film (i.e. schedule, budget, locations, key crew recommendations, etc.); also provides recommendations on the structure of the production company (should it be an in-house production, a stand-alone company or subsidiary company?) before the Director, Line Producer and UPM are hired; provides liaison between the filmmakers and the studio; usually visits the set at start of photography, reappears half-way through, then returns at the end to assist wrap-up of production; will visit the set more frequently if production problems arise; needs to be as knowledgeable of studio’s requirements as he is about the filmmakers’ needs.