Production Management for Film and Television - PgDip

This practical diploma course is designed to give budding production managers a head start to launch a career in film or TV production.

What does it take to be a Production Manager? Someone who can multi-task, be dynamic, communicate well and stay calm under pressure; is creative with budgets but keeps an eye on the bottom line; who knows enough about health and safety to protect the cast and crew but not detract from getting the right shot; who knows about the best locations at the best price – and who knows production from start to finish. Our graduates are extremely sought after to fill exciting positions from entry level to senior production positions.

We believe the best way to prepare for a career in production is to learn the essential skills and put them straight into practice, working to industry standards using professional processes, software and systems on real productions. This unique course combines taught sessions with extensive hands-on production management of our award-winning short drama films, animations, documentaries, live and multi-cam TV shows. Production Managers at NFTS collaborate across the many departments on several productions, filmed on location and in our studios at NFTS, on 16mm and digital formats to experience setting up many different types of shoots.

Working to industry standards and with the full production budget costs and equipment provided by NFTS, you get to focus on managing the production and working closely with the creatives - there’s no better way to hone your production skills.

Delivered in partnership with the BBC and working with leading industry partners, the course aims to give students the specialist knowledge and practical work experience needed for a successful career. Student Membership to the prestigious Production Guild is also provided. 

A 10-day work experience placement is included and previous students have enjoyed placements at Eon, Carnival Films, IMG, Neal Street Productions, Hartswood Films, Endemol, Bedlam Productions, Kudos, Keo, BBC Studios, Renegade, World Productions, See Saw Films, and Revolution Films.

Graduates have gone on to work successfully on award-winning productions. Recent credits include Killing Eve, Silent Witness, The Crown, Call the Midwife, Mary Poppins Returns, Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again, Dunkirk, Doctor Strange, Jason Bourne, Spectre, Wonder Woman, The One Show, Mowgli, Sherlock Gnomes, Paddington 2, Black Mirror, The South Bank Show, The Doctor Who Gave up Drugs, Catastrophe, and many more.

The NFTS wants to encourage applications from the brightest and best talent out there, whatever your background. That’s why we have made scholarship funding available for this course – find out more here. Two scholarships are also generously provided for this course by Sargent-Disc.

What you will study

This course combines practical experience on fiction films, documentary, animation, commercials and TV Entertainment shows with intensive training sessions taught by industry professionals.

Specialist workshops cover a range of relevant topics across many genres of production, including Setting up a shoot, Health & Safety, Budgeting and cost reporting, contracts and legals.

Specifically students will learn about:

• Budgeting on Movie Magic and Excel
• Contracting cast and crew and the Union Agreements
• Setting up a production in a studio and on location
• Copyright
• Production Paperwork
• Production logistics and planning
• Health and Safety and Risk Assessments
• First Aid
• How to use relevant industry software (e.g Silvermouse, Movie Magic and Final Draft)
• Child Licensing
• Location Management
• Production Insurance
• Scheduling a shoot, including using Movie Magic Scheduling
• Cash Flow and Cost Reporting
• Filming overseas
• Wrapping a shoot and Delivery Paperwork
• Post Production
• Management and leadership
• Preparation for the industry - working freelance, preparing a CV, networking

Download course outline

How to apply

Applicants must supply the following:

• Please tell us of an event/production/gathering that you have organized. Include information on whether you had a budget and if so how successful you were in keeping to it; what preparation you did and what you would have done differently. No more than two pages (A4 paper)

Visit the Production Management for Film and Television - PgDip page on the National Film and Television School website for more details!