Lucille Smith- Producer from Connecticut

I was assigned Connecticut, and for my interview I emailed back and forth with Lucille Smith.

1. Can you briefly describe your job to me?

I FREELANCE AS A PRODUCTION MANAGER/LINE PRODUCER. PRODUCTION MANAGERS OVERSEE, ORGANIZE AND MANAGE THE SHOOTING OF THE FILM WHICH INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING:

1. READ THE SCRIPT

2. BREAKDOWN THE SCRIPT AND DO THE 1ST PASS OF A SHOOTING SCHEDULE [SUBSEQUENT PASSES ARE DONE BY THE 1ST ASSISTANT DIRECTOR],

3. DO THE BUDGET, HIRE THE CREW & EQUIPMENT [WHICH INVOLVES NEGOTIATING CONTRACTS AND MAKING SURE YOU STAY WITHIN THE CONFINES OF EACH THEATRICAL UNION ]

4. WORK TO STAY ON BUDGET

5. OVERSEE THE WRAP OUT DURING POST PRODUCTION

2. How did you get started in this business

I GRADUATED COLLEGE WHERE I MAJORED IN PRE-MED BUT REALIZED THAT I REALLY WANTED A CAREER IN ENTERTAINMENT......MY 1ST JOB WAS AS EXECUTIVE AT THE ACTORS STUDIO . I THEN SEGUED INTO CASTING, THEN FILM PRODUCTION ACCOUNTING AND ENDED UP AS A LINE PRODUCER/PRODUCTION MANAGER.......

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

I NEVER HAVE......I JUST PANICKED, FIGURED IT OUT AND DID IT.........NEVER SAY YOU CAN'T DO SOMETHING

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

EMBRACE THE WORK [EVEN IF YOU HATE WHAT YOU'RE DOING]........MY MANTRA ANYTIME I'M ON A PROJECT WHICH PROVES TO BE POLITICALLY DIFFICULT IS: .....FOCUS ON THE WORK...TAKE THE HIGH ROAD.....LEAVE WITH YOUR HEAD HELD HIGH