Content Tabs
This course has been developed by and will be led by Brian Donovan, producer (The Tattooist of Auschwitz, His Dark Materials). Brian is doing this to honour the memory of Alan J “Willy” Wands, a legendary Line Producer.
As both Line Producer and Producer, Willy - as he liked to be known - was renowned internationally for his unwavering professionalism coupled with generosity of spirit. His legacy is the profound impact he made on the film professionals he worked with and the many whose careers he helped shape. He always led by example, with dynamism, professionalism, charisma – and humour.
The course: Working between production and the producers, ensuring the project’s creative vision can be achieved on schedule, on budget and through Post, the Line Producer’s responsibilities are many and varied. Distinct from Production Managers, Line Producers have specific responsibilities, accountability and authority, and a different lens through which to view production and their role in it.
This course invites existing Line Producers to explore what “being” an LP means. How do you embrace your responsibilities and authority effectively to service the production, your crew, director, producer and execs? What does leadership look like and how do you fill the sometimes-conflicting roles that Cast, Crew, and Producers all demand?
Advanced Skills for Line Producers is a forum and a workshop, running over two weekends, where participants’ shared experiences and knowledge will feed into the discussion to inform how the questions and issues are considered.
This is an opportunity to step back and take a fresh perspective on what it is to be The Line Producer.
The course will run for 4 full days across two weekends:
Sat 30th November - Sun 1st December
Sat 7th - Sun 8th December
Day 1
Fundamentals
Who are we?
Who do they think we are?
Who do we want them to believe we are?
Whose budget is it anyway?
Who is paying for all this, and why should they trust us?
Steady hands
Report Cards, best intentions, and the road ahead
Day 2 - Morning
Guest speaker: Graeme Douglas
Meaningful health, safety, and risk management at work on and off set.
This session is specifically designed for Line Producers to help you understand how to manage safety protocols effectively, reduce risk, and ensure safe operations on set. It will cover essential legal, practical, and situational safety measures tailored to the Film and TV industry.
You will:
- Develop an understanding of health and safety legislation relevant to Film and TV production.
- Be able to review risk assessments and implement control measures confidently.
- Know how to manage and communicate safety protocols on set.
- Understand the legal implications of neglecting safety responsibilities.
- Develop emergency response strategies tailored to any production environment.
Day 2 - Afternoon
- Dealing with the studio/execs
- Which lie do you want to tell
- The bridge between shop floor and owners
- Locking a budget
- Completing the 3D jigsaw
- Wrangling appetite and expectations
- Shooting the script and not the budget
Day 3 – Morning
- Working internationally
- Hello, I’m here to...
- Diplomatic drilling – assumptions and disappointments
- Crewing the Production Office
- Who is driving and who is navigating
- The shopwindow to Cast, Crew, and Producers
Day 3 – Afternoon
Guest speaker: Alex Dalton
Powerful Communication
This session identifies the core principles of great communication whether you’re working informally with others, planning a presentation or just writing an email.
- What do you want to say? Thinking through the essential points you want to get across
- Understanding and accommodating your audience’s needs
- The power of listening
The session will also cover assertive communication and influencing skills, for situations when you need a more persuasive approach.
- Why we shouldn’t be afraid to be assertive
- Structuring an argument
How to lead – Developing Teams
How to create an open and supportive culture across your team through a confident approach to feedback. How to approach feedback conversations confidently and use them to help inspire and better understand your teams.
- Why great feedback conversations build strong, high-performing teams
- Why we fear feedback
- Simple feedback models
- Managing difficult conversations
Day 4 - Morning
- Whose schedule is it anyway?
- No plan survives contact with the enemy
- Where’s the cavalry?
- MMS Outline
- Tips and tricks for sharper scheduling
- Any questions – MMS surgery for current users
Day 4 - Afternoon
Guest Speaker: Sarah McCaffrey, Solas Mind
Mental Health Awareness and Resilience
This session will discuss the importance of looking after our mental health and staying resilient whilst managing a team
We will explore ways to support positive wellbeing and boost resilience - introducing key information and practical strategies to support self-care and recognise the signs and offer support to people suffering from mental distress in the workplace and in the community.
The session will cover:
- What is mental health
- What influences mental health
- Supporting your resilience
- Recognising the signs
- Listening and supporting
- Tips for creating a supportive environment
- Q and A
The session goals will be:
- Increased knowledge and empathy in relation to mental health and wellbeing
- Ability to identify the key signs and offer support
- Greater confidence in dealing with mental health issues
- Remove stigma and reduce discrimination
- Awareness and understanding of how to support and improve mental health in the workplace
We will finish with a wrap up review of the takeaways from the four days with an opportunity for final questions and observations.
This course is aimed at existing Line Producers, if you are a Production Manager looking to step up, please contact us first at scotland@nfts.co.uk
Please fill in the application form, attaching your CV.
If you need any assistance for the Glasgow intake, please contact us at scotland@nfts.co.uk or call us on 0141 729 8190