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Step into the Unit Manager Mindset – A Practical Introduction to Unit Managing
This three-day course is designed for locations professionals who want to understand the Unit Manager role and prepare for supported step-up opportunities, without being thrown into unrealistic or high-risk scenarios unprepared.
Delivered by a Location and Unit Managing team, over three days combining classroom, practical sessions and on-site workshops, participants will build a clear understanding of where the Unit Manager sits within the location department and production, how decisions affect budgets, schedules, sustainability and crews, and how the Locations department interfaces with the wider unit. The course then culminates in a guided practical scenario day, allowing participants to apply learning in a realistic but supportive environment.
Rather than testing participants under pressure, the course focuses on developing confidence, decision-making frameworks and professional language that can be taken straight onto set.
It is ideal for Location Managers, Assistant Location Managers and senior Location Assistants who want to broaden their understanding of production management and prepare for hybrid or stepping-stone roles.
The course is led by Lloret MacKenna Dunn, a freelance Supervising Location Manager, who has worked for over 25 years in Scotland's Film and TV sector on a diverse range of productions including The Great Beyond (Warner), Del Toro’s Frankenstein, Mary & George for Sky, Stephen Frears The Lost King, Netflix Eurovision, Fire Saga and T2 Trainspotting.
The course is supported by experienced Unit Managers and Film and TV Facilities services.
This course covers:
- The Unit Manager’s role and how it fits within the Location department
- How location decisions affect schedules, budgets and crew
- Reading schedules, stripboards and identifying risk
- Introduction to budgets, cost control and locations-related expenses
- Permits, duty of care, sustainability on production and production logistics basics
- Unit bases, transport, facilities and security planning
- Communication, escalation and working within the production hierarchy
- Applying UM-level thinking through a guided practical scenario
There are no formal entry requirements for this course but experience working in the location department in film and TV, or equivalent, is required.
Freelance Rate: £545
Corporate Rate: £1050
Bursaries, supported by Screen Scotland, to contribute to the costs of attending this course may be available to those who are eligible. Please read the bursary guidelines which are published below first to check if you are eligible. If you are eligible, please indicate if you are also applying for a bursary or not.
Please apply as far in advance of the course date as possible to give yourself the best chance of securing a supported place, as we may not be able to accommodate all applications.
Your bursary application and supporting documents should be sent to scotland@nfts.co.uk after submitting this application form. Please submit your bursary application within 24 hours to ensure your course place is reserved while your bursary application is processed – otherwise we may be required to release it to another applicant. Your bursary documents are reviewed by a panel and we aim to be in touch as soon as possible with an outcome for you.
NFTS Scotland Bursary Guidelines
NFTS Scotland Bursary Application Form
If you are not eligible for an NFTS Scotland bursary, please read our Alternative Funding Avenues document, which points you in the direction of a few other places which may be able to help. Please submit your application in plenty of time as timescales for funders differ.
Please complete the application form to apply.
If you need any help, please contact NFTS Scotland on 0141 729 8190 or scotland@nfts.co.uk
