# 12 Ways to Become a Better Unit Production Manager April 27, 2021 Unit production managers have one of the toughest jobs in professional filmmaking. And being the best at any tough job is no easy feat. To give you a leg up, this post breaks down the key components of the unit production manager job description and identifies 12 ways to become a better UPM, whether you work in film or TV. But before we dive into our list, let’s get a few things straight. ## What is a unit production manager? Also known as the production manager or the UPM, the unit production manager is in charge of the administration of any film or television shoot. The UPM monitors, controls, and facilitates the flow of high-level logistical decisions, especially those that revolve around scheduling and budgets. ## What does a unit production manager do? Any solid unit production manager job description would primarily emphasize the UPM’s role in [production management](/content/blog/what-is-film-production-management/index.html), specifically as it pertains to the production’s budget. The UPM is responsible for taking a big-picture budgetary plan- as laid out by producers and other above-the-line crew- and executing it on a day-to-day basis. Of course, no plan is perfect, and there are thousands of ever-evolving factors that can impact any shoot at any point. The unit production manager will spend most of their time responding to these factors by evaluating schedules, negotiating with department heads, and shuffling resources any way that they can in order to get the movie made. A UPM salary is earned by completing a film at planned standards, within the constraints of an initial overall budget, against the influence of rapidly changing external circumstances. So, in short, what is a unit manager in film or television **most responsible for?** _Getting their project finished without breaking the bank._ ## How to become the best unit production manager Now that we have a basic understanding of the UPM’s role, let’s dive into our list of 12 ways to become a better unit production manager. ### 1. Learn how to budget What is a unit manager in film or television’s number one skill? From a technical perspective, the only possible answer is budgeting. UPMs may not always create the budget, but they are the ones most responsible for making it work on a day-to-day basis. This could mean knowing how to [budget effectively for SAG actors](/content/blog/how-to-budget-sag-aftra-payroll/index.html) or other unions’ rates. They also have to understand the ripple effects of shifting funds from one department’s budget to another and be familiar with how cutting costs may help or hinder a crew’s shooting efficiency. ### 2. Learn scheduling best practices In pre-production, what does a TV production manager do when they realize an episode of their show will likely exceed its budget? In most cases, they’ll first take a hard look at the episode’s shooting schedule. Whether you’re working in feature films, television, commercials, or even web content, the primary x-factor in determining any production’s budget will be its schedule. The schedule ties together and influences every other cost-driver (i.e. cast, crew, locations, equipment, etc.), and as such, it’s the first place a UPM will look to trim the budget without sacrificing material quality. ### 3. Hire top-notch crew If they want to hit the ground running, they’ll likely start by hiring crew to fill the rest of their department. **UPMs try to hire the best of the best to make their job easier. Referrals are the best way to ensure skill and reliability.** ### 4. Learn how to manage teams A solid UPM knows how to keep their hands off of each department, respecting their autonomy as individual teams that together make up the film crew as a single body. ### 5. Learn to manage individuals With so many individuals making up any film crew, it is inevitable that managers of any kind will be required to deal with egos every now and again. ### 6. Know each department well In order to do their job well, a unit production manager must be aware of [how each department operates.](/content/blog/film-crew-positions/index.html) ### 7. Read more scripts One characteristic that sets a great unit production manager apart from an okay unit production manager is the ability to quickly translate what they read in a script to the numbers everyone else reads in a budget. ### 8. Get creative with problem-solving Sometimes, a UPM will be the one to suggest strategically using one shooting location as two script locations in order to eliminate extra location fees and a company move. ### 9. Become a people person For a UPM, it pays- sometimes literally- to build one-on-one relationships with the crew. Doing so allows a UPM to not only keep their finger on the pulse of the production but to resolve budgetary issues better and faster as well. ### 10. Learn how and when to say “no” The word “no” gives a UPM meaning. It’s central to their authority over the operational budget. ### 11. Learn how and when to say “yes” If the UPM is acting in the best interests of the production itself, the story would play out a little differently. ### 12. Collaborate for success No matter what [position you work on the crew](/content/blog/film-crew-positions/index.html), collaboration is always the name of the game when it comes to filmmaking. ## How does the UPM stack up against other roles? ### Production manager vs. line producer The unit production manager job description is so similar to that of the line producer that the two roles are often filled by a single person on small or low-budget shoots. ### Production manager vs. production accountant The best answer, arguably, is hidden in their job titles. ### Production manager vs. production coordinator If production accountants are the UPM’s eyes and ears, production coordinators are their hands, arms, feet, and legs. ## Wrapping up If you’re challenging yourself to become a better unit production manager, Wrapbook can provide more than just helpful tips. Our software provides a one-stop for onboarding cast and crew, collecting timecards, running payroll compliantly, and more.