Bookings coordinator

Also known as: Scheduler

What does a bookings coordinator do?

Bookings coordinators are the great organisers of the post-production schedule. They know what equipment the facilities house (post-production company) has and they know the post-production process. They allocate, organise and monitor the flow of the technical and creative people involved.

They talk to the producers, help with quoting and costing jobs, and deal with the administration of each project. This involves preparing job sheets, invoices and confirmation forms. They work out what the client needs and provide the creative or technical staff with whom the producer may want to work.

They closely follow the progress of each job, checking the producer is happy with the finished product.

What’s a bookings coordinator good at?

Understanding post-production equipment: have a thorough understanding of the hardware and software available and what it can be used for
Organising: know how to make a work schedule efficient, be good at budgeting
Negotiation: be able to strike a deal with clients
Problem-solving: take initiative, find solutions to creative and practical dilemmas
Communication: be diplomatic when working with producers and other clients, make sure they understand the facilities being offered

Who does a bookings coordinator work with?

Bookings coordinators work with producers and other clients. They liaise with creative and technical staff and everyone in the studio.

How do I become a bookings coordinator?

Most bookings coordinators have worked in post-production for several years before stepping into the role. They usually start out as runners and go on to become edit assistants before moving into bookings. Go to our post-production runner profile for full details of how to get in.

At school or college:
If you want to go to university, A-levels or Highers in art and design, graphic design, graphic communication, physics, psychology, computing science are useful. Or you might want to take the following Level 3 vocational qualifications:

NCFE Applied General Certificate in Art and Design
BTEC National Diploma/Extended Diploma in Art and Design
BTEC National Extended Diploma in Creative Digital Media Production
UAL Applied General Diploma in Art and Design

If you want to go straight into a job or apprenticeship, the following Level 3 vocational qualifications will equip you:

Aim Awards Diploma in Creative and Digital Media
OCR Cambridge Technical Diploma in Art and Design (3D Design)
OCR Cambridge Technical Diploma in At and Design (Graphic Design)
OCR Cambridge Technical Diploma in At and Design (Photography)
OCR Technical Diploma in Digital Media (Moving Image and Audio Production)
BTEC National Diploma in Film and Television Production
BTEC National Diploma in Film and Television Visual Effects
BTEC National Diploma in Photography
UAL Diploma/Extended Diploma in Art and Design
UAL Diploma/Extended Diploma in Creative Media Production and Technology

Get an apprenticeship:
Apprenticeships are jobs with training, so they’re a great opportunity to earn while you learn. You might find studios offering the following apprenticeships:

Post production technical operator (Level 4, England)
Creative and Digital Media (Level 3, Northern Ireland)
Creative and Digital Media (Level 3, Wales)
Creative (SCQF Level 6/7, Scotland)
Creative and Digital Media (SCQF Level 6/7, Scotland)

Before taking any apprenticeship, check what you’ll be learning with your prospective employer and college, so you can be sure it will be giving you the skills you want. Go to how to become an apprentice to learn how to find apprenticeships in your region or approach companies directly.

Make films:
Build a portfolio. This is essential for impressing admissions tutors and people in the film industry. Just as important, it’s the best way to learn about editing, seeing what works and what doesn’t.

Look for post-production companies:
Most are in London, but not all. Contact them and ask if you can do work experience. Go to how to approach employers to learn how.

Get a degree:
It’s not essential, but if you want one, have a look at ScreenSkills’ list of recommended courses in film and TV. We recognise courses with our ScreenSkills Select award where they offer training in the relevant software, dedicated time to building a portfolio and have strong links with the film and TV industries. Choose one which gives you access to post-production facilities.

Network:
Go to ScreenSkills events, especially Open Doors where you can meet people who work in the industry. Give people in post-production your details and ask if you can do work experience.

Network online:
Create a LinkedIn profile. See if there’s a Facebook page or other social media group for people making films or videos in your area. Join it. Create a ScreenSkills profile.

Become a trainee:
Apply for ScreenSkills’ Trainee Finder scheme as a post-production trainee.