Overview

 

This standard is about organising pre-production activities from the production office, as well as organising and preparing for the shoot. This is to ensure that the pre-production stage runs as smoothly as possible.

It is about understanding priorities and knowing how to plan for contingencies.  It involves making various plans and arrangements, communicating with relevant bodies, and liaising with appropriate authorities.

This standard is for those involved with pre-production activities including production managers, production co-ordinators and assistant directors..

 

Performance Criteria 

You must be able to:

 

  1. break scripts down to ascertain production needs
  2. set up and equip production office and assistant director’s office so they are suitable to meet production requirements
  3. liaise with relevant departments to ensure that equipment, people and facilities are in place to match the schedule requirements for the base
  4. plan and schedule pre-production activities to meet production requirements
  5. arrange production meetings and technical recces to meet requirements
  6. supervise the implementation of pre-production activities against plans
  7. develop and implement contingency plans to address factors that may affect the scheduling of activities
  8. negotiate with education authorities, agents and production office so that that child licenses are obtained when required
  9. identify specialist support such as access coordinators, intimacy coordinators, chaperones and tutors to meet requirements
  10. check the accuracy of schedules against casting advice notes
  11. organise and carry out selection processes for extras
  12. distribute extras’ breakdowns and costume fittings lists to departments without delay
  13. communicate changes to scheduled activities without delay
  14. communicate and confirm details of call sheets with departments
  15. create and store Health and Safety files and certifications in line with organisational procedures

 

Knowledge and understanding

You need to know and understand:  

  1. how to break down a script for production information
  2. how to identify what resources are required for productions
  3. how to equip a production office
  4. pre-production activities that need to be planned and scheduled including rehearsal schedule, fittings schedule and tutoring
  5. how to identify training and tutoring requirements of cast and crew
  6. how to evaluate and select suitable training providers
  7. how to create and manage a pre-production rehearsal and fittings schedule to meet the needs of various departments
  8. how to arrange production meetings and technical recces as required
  9. what departments will require in pre-production in relation to cast members
  10. factors that may delay production and pre-production activities
  11. the importance of meeting deadlines
  12. licensing laws governing child working permits, and the bodies and timescales involved in processing them
  13. the different approaches taken by each Local Education Authority and how to arrange court appearances to confirm responsibility for minors
  14. specialist sources of support and how to arrange these
  15. who should receive extras’ breakdowns, rehearsal schedules and fitting schedules
  16. special requirements at unit base for location filming in a variety of circumstances and filming conditions
  17. special requirements for foreign filming and how to prepare carnets
  18. arrangements for UK work permits for cast and technicians
  19. the importance of compiling contact details and information about, cast and crew
  20. the need for supporting documentation
  21. how to prepare the Health and Safety file and certifications
  22. the current legislation, regulations and organisational requirements covering data protection