12 DAYS OF CLASSES | Production Management
PRODUCTION MANAGEMENT
What’s does production management even mean?
Have a script but have no idea what to do next?
Really intimidated by creating a budget breakdown?
Have no clue how to raise funds for your next project?
Have that unfindable location?
These are questions you may be asking yourself right now and we have some answers for you but first things first: pre-production & planning is crucial to any project no matter the size & budget!
Now that we’ve gotten that out of the way, let’s get into it!
One of the easiest ways to bring your film production in under budget and on time is by properly planning your shoot and making the most out of pre-production. Many people get into filmmaking because they want to direct or run the camera, but this run and gun mentality can end up just shooting yourself in the foot. What takes true creative power and energy is breaking down the script into its elements and organizing all the people, places, things, time, and money. It’s constant creative problem solving, and if it doesn’t happen, neither does the film.
Our 12-hour Production Management class is led by MMAC Community Director, educator & indie Producer Carrie Cates, who has produced 4 feature length films and many independent short films over the course of her career. She also produces work for global clients such as Warner Bros. Studios and The Chive, among others. She is the co-founder of Austin Youth Film Festival who are on their sixth year! Through her festival, she has been responsible for PR & Development, hosting such guests as Paul Beck (Animator, A Scanner Darkly, Waking Life, Tower) & Jeff Nichols (Dir. Take Shelter & Loving) . Needless to say, she’s a seasoned indie Producer & wonderful addition to our faculty AND staff (yeah, she’s that talented).
THE CLASS
Over the course of two days, students will learn hands-on how to create a pre-production workflow. You wil set goals, and gain local industry resources that will help you make not only your next project, but all the ones to follow. It can be an incredibly daunting process to attack a script and bring it to the screen, but when it’s broken into steps and you have the tools you need to get through each of them, you’ll make it look easy… and your films look even better.
This knowledge is a must for any level of filmmaker, media content creators, and production company. Students will leave class with the skills needed to fill production positions and a firm grasp on production terminology, reading & creating a budget, how to handle various types of expenses and so much more!
Offered as a weekend intensive or virtual weekly class — learn the essentials of production management, budgeting, and scheduling for film and media projects.
Understanding production management and the role of a producer is essential for emerging filmmakers, creators, and production teams. Whether you’re working on a short film, music video, or independent feature, effective production management keeps projects organized, on schedule, and within budget — ensuring a smoother creative process from start to finish.
This workshop provides a practical introduction to the fundamentals of pre-production planning, budgeting, scheduling, and resource management. Participants will learn how to oversee a project’s full lifecycle — from initial concept to post-production wrap — while gaining insight into the organizational and leadership skills that define successful producers.
By the end of the course, students will leave with the foundational tools and confidence to manage real-world productions, collaborate with crews, and bring creative visions to life efficiently and sustainably.
Key Topics Include:
Stages of Production: An overview of the entire production process, from pre-production to post-production.
Crew Roles: A detailed breakdown of the responsibilities and roles of key crew members, including the producer, director, assistant director, editor, and composer.
Production Planning: Strategies for creating effective production plans and schedules to keep your project on track.
Permits & Releases: Understanding the basics of obtaining necessary permits and releases.
Budgeting Basics: Introduction to reading and creating budgets, managing expenses, and understanding financial aspects of production.
MORE INFORMATION
Location: This course is offered in person at the Austin School of Film in our iMac computer lab at The Clayton. and virtually via live weekly sessions. All materials, templates, and examples are provided for use during the course.
Course Structure: The curriculum and in-class time is the same for both learning structures.
The in-person workshop spans a single weekend, totaling 10 hours with a 1-hour lunch break each day.
The virtual workshop is spread over 4 weeks, consisting of two-hour sessions each week, totaling 10 hours. Virtual classes are hosted on Google Classroom, and participants will receive a link to join in their reminder email. Participants can join the virtual sessions from anywhere, and we've welcomed students from across the United States, showcasing the workshop's broad appeal and impact. For the best experience, stable internet access is recommended for all virtual sessions.
Who Should Attend: Ideal for filmmakers, creatives, and production coordinators interested in learning how to effectively manage productions of any scale. No prior experience required. Students must be 16 years or older to enroll.
Supplies & Materials: All course materials, sample documents, and resources are provided. Students are encouraged to bring notebooks or laptops for note-taking and project planning exercises.
Certificate: This course is part of Austin School of Film’s Film Forward Certificate Program.
Certification: This course, along with all Austin School of Film programs, is approved by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) to provide Continuing Professional Education (CPE) credits.
✨ 12 DAYS OF CLASSES ✨ Austin School of Film will release a different class every day for the next 12 days at 25% off accompanied with a blog post on why we curated each this year for our list. Posts will be released every day at 5pm & be on sale for 24 hours ~ no code needed! #comecreatewithus