Assignment 1A- Maison Harley

Arthur W. Smith Jr.
Production Manager, Coordinator, Supervisor
Orlando, FL

1. Can you briefly define your job to me?

The Production Manager provides support in the overall design and implementation of the production plan for the individual production. Responsibilities include preparing/managing/tracking/ and executing project and departmental production schedules, budgets, reports, deliverables-collection, and payments. Reconciles tracked costs with accounting actuals, and manage month-end and year-end accruals processes. Production managers also prepare deal memos for contract draft, and partners with legal to execute agreements. Another job is to negotiate third party production schedules and budgets for out-of-house productions. And finally to coordinate all elements and event-related logistics for on-site and/or in-house shoots, including: call/contact sheets, transportation, venue/location, set-up, crew/production personnel, equipment, releases, meals/craft service, artist/talent coordination, etc.

2. How did you get started in this business?

By networking with the right people, being in the military, and showing a work ethic.

3. How do you tell someone over you that you couldn’t accomplish an assigned task?

Well, you don't. Prior to getting the task we develop what we need to accomplish. Also find out what the short falls are and work on improving them (work on the weak areas and maintain the strong areas). This way you don't fail. Also, have three plans ready....the best one you know they want, the next best plan, and a plan we can live with.

4. Do you have any advice for a media student who is just starting out?

You need to have a plan, that means you must work at first for FREE. Also you need to prove yourself and learn how to network, be dependable, reliable and responsible. When you don't know something tell people you don't know and are willing to learn. Come to work early and start working and be the last one to leave and ask your boss "is there anything else I can help you with.” These suggestions have worked for many, many, many students I have worked with and many of those students (over 350) are working, and some are famous!