Line Producers like to adhere to the Boy Scout Motto of “Be Prepared”. If you’ve got what you need on location or in the studio – you’re able to function quickly and get the job done. So I’ve learned over the years to carry certain items I cannot be without. So what essentials are in … Read more
Cable budgets are getting smaller. Asks are getting bigger. Line Producers still have to be magicians. Almost reminds me of a country song. The fact is the creative asks are never going to get less. As a Line Producer there’s only one way to handle miniscule budgets – you to have PUNCH YOUR WAY OUT. … Read more
Someone doesn’t want to take responsibility for a screw up so you get thrown in front the next heavy moving object. Could be a plane, an automobile or a bus… could be a horse drawn wagon if you’re on location – it doesn’t freakin’ matter, there you go – Splat! It’s a sound none of … Read more
First – let’s determine your ability to withstand pain and pressure. The type of pain and pressure associated with being hurled into space at 2000 miles per hour in a tin can, reminiscent of the scene in the film Apollo 13 when Tom Hanks and his crew are about to burn up during re-entry into … Read more
Executive Producers believe Line Producers hide money in a budget – squirreling it away for a rainy day. They would be right. We have to. It’s self-preservation. Because we’re not going to have rainy days, we’re going to have tsunamis and we know this from past experience. It’s reality TV and there is always going to … Read more
Reality TV budgets are created using budgeting software. The two most used are Movie Magic Budgeting and Showbiz. Either one will do the trick. When your budget is printed you’ll have a one-page summary known as a “top sheet” followed by the detailed line-by-line budget. The top sheet delineates what is an above-the-line cost and … Read more