Most commonly reported Work Activities

• Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Organising, Planning, and Prioritising Work Developing specific goals and plans to prioritise, organise, and accomplish your work.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events Identifying information by categorising, estimating, recognising differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Interacting With Computers Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines, devices, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of electrical or electronic (not mechanical) principles.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
• Thinking Creatively Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

The Work

The work of the Production Manager involves breaking down the script scene by scene with the Assistant Director in order to determine the production schedule.  
 
The Production Manager is involved in preparing the production budget. This entails consulting with heads of department (Art, Lighting, Construction, etc.) to estimate the resources needed through all stages of the production process and ensuring all needs are covered in the budget.  
 
The Production Manager assesses the crew requirements and is involved in selecting the crew and negotiating and agreeing rates of pay and conditions of employment with the unions. He/she oversees the search for locations and the liaison with local authorities and Gardai in relation to use of public property.  
 
The Production Manager selects production facilities for which he/she negotiates and agrees payment and would also negotiate and agree terms and contracts with casting agencies. The work includes overseeing production paperwork, such as daily progress reports, and determining if the production schedule and budgets are on target. The Production Manager manages the progress of the production on a day- to-day basis, maintaining a presence in the office as well as on set and appraises the Producer of progress.  
 
The Production Manager is also involved in preparing weekly cost reports with the Production Accountant. He/she makes necessary changes to the schedule and budget as required, ensuring all relevant personnel are made aware of changes.  
 
The Production Manager deals with any personnel problems or issues that may arise and ensures that all health and safety regulations are adhered to. Arranging a "wrap-up" of the production is also a responsibility of the position. This involves ensuring all final invoices for services provided are received, checked and passed for payment; overseeing that all locations used are "signed off" in accordance with agreements and all rental agreements are terminated.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Switch between video sources in a studio or on multi-camera remotes, using equipment such as switchers, video slide projectors, and video effects generators.
• Observe pictures through monitors and direct camera and video staff concerning shading and composition.
• Supervise and assign duties to workers engaged in technical control and production of radio and television programs.
• Monitor broadcasts to ensure that programs conform to station or network policies and regulations.
• Operate equipment to produce programs or broadcast live programs from remote locations.
• Test equipment to ensure proper operation.
• Train workers in use of equipment, such as switchers, cameras, monitors, microphones, and lights.
• Act as liaisons between engineering and production departments.
• Collaborate with promotions directors to produce on-air station promotions.
• Confer with operations directors to formulate and maintain fair and attainable technical policies for programs.

Further Information

• Film Production Manager - from: N.C.S. [UK]

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

Enterprising

Enterprising people like situations that involve using resources for personal or corporate economic gain. Such people may have an opportunistic frame of mind, and are drawn to commerce, trade and making deals. Some pursue sales and marketing occupations. Many will eventually end up owning their own business, or in management roles in larger organisations. They tend to be very goal-oriented and work best when focused on a target. Some have an entrepreneurial inclination.

Administrative

Administrative people are interested in work that offers security and a sense of being part of a larger process. They may be at their most productive under supervisors who give clear guidelines and while performing routine tasks in a methodical and reliable way.

They tend to enjoy clerical and most forms of office work, where they perform essential administrative duties. They often form the backbone of large and small organisations alike. They may enjoy being in charge of office filing systems, and using computers and other office equipment to keep things running smoothly. They usually like routine work hours and prefer comfortable indoor workplaces.

Creative

Creative people are drawn to careers and activities that enable them to take responsibility for the design, layout or sensory impact of something (visual, auditory etc). They may be atrracted to the traditional artistic pursuits such as painting, sculpture, singing, or music. Or they may show more interest in design activities, such as architecture, animation, or craft areas, such as pottery and ceramics.

Creative people use their personal understanding of people and the world they live in to guide their work. Creative people like to work in unstructured workplaces, enjoy taking risks and prefer a minimum of routine.

Production Manager is a key role in the production team and to hold this position it is necessary to have a great deal of experience in the film and television industry. The typical progression paths to production management are via assistant direction (i.e. Trainee Assistant Director - Third Assistant Director - Second Assistant Director - First Assistant Director - Production Manager) or alternatively from Trainee to Production Secretary, Assistant Production Co-ordinator, Production Co-ordinator and subsequently Production Manager.  
 
To become a Trainee in the production or assistant direction departments working in film, one must apply to The Services Industrial Professional Technical Union (SIPTU) for membership as a Trainee. A specific amount of experience is required in order to upgrade from each position. 

Training & Development 

FET Centre Traineeship: Media production, supervisory management, project management in centres around Ireland at NFQ Levels 5-6 Search FET Courses

FET PLC Courses: Creative digital media, TV & Film studies, Film production, Media studies at NFQ Levels 5-6 Search FET PLC Courses

Apprenticeship: Animator Apprenticeship NFQ level 9 Search Apprenticeships

Higher Education CAO Entry: Digital media, TV & Film production, Media & Communication, Arts & media studies, Creative Broadcast & Film Production NFQ Levels 7-8 Search CAO courses

Postgraduate Study Options Arts & Media, Creative digital media, Film & Screen Media, Film Studies, Broadcast Production, Technical Direction for Computer Animation Production NFQ level 9

Professional Development 

Screen skills Work based learning programs  Training for production assistants may be on-the-job. The company may organise short off-the-job courses for trainees.   

IFTV Irish Film & Television For a list of TV/ Film production companies 

Careersinscreen Career roles

Last Updated: November, 2023

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €29k - €59k

Salaries vary by employer, location, experience, and duties.

Data Source(s):
Payscale/ Indeed/ Prosperity / Salaryband

Last Updated: July, 2024

* The lower figures typically reflect starting salaries. Higher salaries are awarded to those with greater experience and responsibility. Positions in Dublin sometimes command higher salaries.

View Salary information from Indeed.ie
Note: data not aways available

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

Employment grew strongly between 2021 and 2022, with an additional 7,300 persons employed. As illustrated in the CSO Census data below, employment is spread across a number of roles; since 2016, the strongest growth, in absolute terms, was for graphic designers and authors, writers and translators.

New employment permits issued for this occupation in 2022 were primarily for film/TV and animation/visual effects (VFX) roles but also for linguistics experts in the ICT sector. There was also a high volume of recent job hires in line with the recent employment increase. The data does not point to overall issues with recruitment for these roles.

Skills Gaps in the Irish Animation sector (Animation ireland June 2022). A key central issue was graduate skills in relevant animation software. Specific software requirements and competencies in pipeline and technical specifics were top of the list regarding skills gaps. While studios that produce 2D content have recently moved away from Adobe Animate (Adobe Flash) into Toon Boom Harmony packages, there are a number of studios using less common softwares such as Cel Action and Moho for their 2D content. Studios creating CGI content are largely using Autodesk Maya with some now moving towards open access softwares such as Blender. A massive 50% of Irish animation graduates are working for overseas studios (20%) or working remotely on adult animated content (30%).The remaining 20% of recent Irish animation graduates are not working in the sector.

The Skills Challenge for the Screen Sector in Ireland 2023. Despite the skills shortages there is no effective and efficient way to identify crew who are available for jobs or for crew to be able to identify what positions are available. Recruiting experienced crew is also a major issue. Notwithstanding the current skills shortages, the key message from the interviews and focus groups was that a larger production crew base will be required to meet future live action demand which is probably significantly larger than the size of the existing crew base. Key areas of focus for future skills needs include the areas of skills for sustainability and green production as well as digital and technology related skills, especially in relation to virtual production. 

Note: The following