Line Producer? UPM?

[Randall_Oelerich]

Thinking ahead to writing/directing an indie feature-- I would like to be able to concentrate more on the creative directing and not have to deal with the stress of all the minutia micromanagement (who shows up when and where for the shoot, hiring crew, accounting, legal, blah blah blah). What would need to be done, who would be hired to deal with the details-- Unit Production Manager? Line Producer? Both? Other? And figuring a budget of $100,000 and a 4 week shoot, what would be typical to pay that person(s)?
~randall

 

[El Gato Negro]

Thinking ahead to writing/directing an indie feature-- I would like to be able to concentrate more on the creative directing and not have to deal with the stress of all the minutia micromanagement (who shows up when and where for the shoot, hiring crew, accounting, legal, blah blah blah). What would need to be done, who would be hired to deal with the details-- Unit Production Manager? Line Producer? Both? Other? And figuring a budget of $100,000 and a 4 week shoot, what would be typical to pay that person(s)?
~randall

You would need an experienced UPM and 1st AD to start doing a realistic budget based on an accurate production schedule, script breakdown, tech scout, etc. Have you ever heard or used Gorilla Pro or EP Schedule/Budget?

 

[Randall_Oelerich]

I played with the trial version of Gorilla a few weeks ago, it seemed so complex I gave up. But hey, hopefully a UPM/AD could deal with that. I am really at a crossroads-- I love the screenwriting, I want to indie produce/direct, but the overwhelming minutia details of doing even shorts is daunting so that I can not imagine what is involved doing a feature indie. It would be so fricken nice to have a UPM and AD to handle the details so I could enjoy the writing and directing, and producing in the sense of procuring the money and doing some of the logistics.

And I agree with what you say about the UPM and AD having experience. With money on the line from investors and my own savings, and my story (script) on the line, I would not want a wannabe UPM/AD with no experience-- the would have to have done such for at least one indie feature. Same for DP and Soundperson.

You would need an experienced UPM and 1st AD to start doing a realistic budget based on an accurate production schedule, script breakdown, tech scout, etc. Have you ever heard or used Gorilla Pro or EP Schedule/Budget?

 

[El Gato Negro]

I played with the trial version of Gorilla a few weeks ago, it seemed so complex I gave up. But hey, hopefully a UPM/AD could deal with that. I am really at a crossroads-- I love the screenwriting, I want to indie produce/direct, but the overwhelming minutia details of doing even shorts is daunting so that I can not imagine what is involved doing a feature indie. It would be so fricken nice to have a UPM and AD to handle the details so I could enjoy the writing and directing, and producing in the sense of procuring the money and doing some of the logistics.

Worked on 2 features one as a 1st AD and the other was as a 2nd AD both were SAG signatory feature films. Currently, 2nd AD on a horror film, doing script breakdown and scheduling. All 3 features where between $50,000.00 to $100,00.00 . I was trained on EP Schedule but currently use Gorilla Pro.

What genre are you writing?
How many major locations do you see?
What camera are you planning to use? HVX, RED, Super 16?
How long with the feature be? 90min, 100min or 120min?

 

[Randall_Oelerich]

I attached a PDF -- indie film budget I am playing with, knowing only enough to be dangerous LOL. Do you think it is somewhat on track, or are there budget items that you think are way over or under budgeted? Bear in mind as I said I do want to pay a UPM and AD to handle the details so I can chill and relax a bit to be producer/writer/director and have some enjoyment on the set. I just know I can not do it all, it has to be a collaborative effort, I just do not have it in me personally to go the Robert Rodriguez path.
~randall

Worked on 2 features one as a 1st AD and the other was as a 2nd AD both were SAG signatory feature films. Currently, 2nd AD on a horror film, doing script breakdown and scheduling. All 3 features where between $50,000.00 to $100,00.00 . I was trained on EP Schedule but currently use Gorilla Pro.

 

[El Gato Negro]

I attached a PDF -- indie film budget I am playing with, knowing only enough to be dangerous LOL. Do you think it is somewhat on track, or are there budget items that you think are way over or under budgeted? Bear in mind as I said I do want to pay a UPM and AD to handle the details so I can chill and relax a bit to be producer/writer/director and have some enjoyment on the set. I just know I can not do it all, it has to be a collaborative effort, I just do not have it in me personally to go the Robert Rodriguez path.
~randall

Randall, going to send you an email.

 

[JonathanLB]

I agree... I wouldn't direct a feature without a good UPM and a good 1st A.D. I'm not experienced enough to handle the stress of directing AND doing all of that nonsense too. Well worth paying the professionals to handle those matters.

 

[Randall_Oelerich]

Genre/Length:: Horror--supernatural/thriller, ~80 min + titles/credits. The script I am writing has few locations-- Act One requires an art painting "classroom" interior with student extras, teacher, protagonist; college campus exterior; student apartment. Acts Two and Three all take place at a lakeside home/cabin and the associated lake and surrounding woods. Would require a fair amount of VFX for the special effects.

Camera:: Canon XHA1s with Letus DOF adapter system, unless a DP was hired and brought his own equipment (as good or better, perhaps even Red).

... What genre are you writing?
How many major locations do you see? What camera are you planning to use? HVX, RED, Super 16? How long with the feature be? 90min, 100min or 120min?

 

[GrahamRobbins]

I am doing production management, and Ad work on a low budget feature right now. I work as low as 100bucks a day, depending on what responsibilities you drop on me.

I have noticed in the world of low budget features generally the UPM's end up taking on quite a bit more responsibility than the UPM job actually entails. Generally the rate is much more, but really the budget dictates how much a UPM, or AD, will work for. If you looking for a production crew, I can pull you one any time after we wrap the projects I am working on right now so after june 30th I am free to take on another gig. I would love to do another low budget feature. I already have a full crew I am sure I could get. Let me know if you are serious about moving on your project.

 

[Randall_Oelerich]

This indie feature would not be filmed until 2-3 years from now. Writing the screenplay now. I figure time is on my side for plenty of pre-production, storyboarding, location scouting, casting, budgeting, fund raising, etc. Sorry if I gave the impression this was just around the corner.

Not even sure where this would be filmed. I live currently in Duluth MN, but for the film I would be willing to do it just about anywhere to fit the story and budget. But getting cast and crew to work outside of hw means paying for airfare and lodging I imagine, adding to budget costs (I do have lodging built in to the budget).