Film and TV drama
Assistant production coordinator
Also known as: APOC
What does an assistant production coordinator do?
An assistant production coordinator helps run the production office and plays an essential role in setting up filming.
They keep a close eye on the people involved in a production, helping the production coordinator ensure it is fully staffed. If a crew member falls ill or a gap in staffing comes up, they look for additional team members by advertising online or contacting agencies, then gather CVs. They also book paramedics and a standby ambulance for stunt days, as well as a fire engine and team.
Managing the production diary and meetings is part of the assistant production coordinator’s job. They usually book travel and accommodation for cast and crew, such as hotels, flights and trains - although some bigger productions have dedicated roles for this. They also help arrange visas if the shoot takes place abroad.
When the first assistant director has put together the shooting schedule, the assistant production coordinator distributes it - along with scripts – to cast and crew. They also send out amendments.
Assistant production coordinators often organise contracts for cast members and stunt people. They sometimes create cast lists and gather in risk assessments.
Assistant production coordinators also order equipment, including cameras, lenses, batteries, SD cards and hard drives. Sometimes they even order cars and costumes. They research and compare prices to try and save the production money and when the order arrives, they courier or ship it to location.
As the shoot draws to an end, assistant production coordinators help ‘wrap’ the production. They return all the leftover stock and tie up loose ends.
Assistant production coordinators usually work on a freelance basis.
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What’s an assistant production coordinator good at?
- Organisation: planning, multi-tasking, working calmly under pressure
- Teamwork: following instructions, listening carefully, asking for direction when appropriate, using initiative
- Communication: sharing information with heads of department, writing clear emails
- Budgeting: keeping records of spending and controlling it, keeping the line producer and accountants updated on spending
- Innovation: finding solutions to problems, dealing with the unexpected
- Knowledge of filmmaking: understanding the process and needs of each department
Who does an assistant production coordinator work with?
An assistant production coordinator reports to the production coordinator and works closely with the production secretary.
They work more broadly with all other areas of the production including cast, crew, agents, producers and directors.
How do I become an assistant production coordinator?
Most assistant production coordinators start off as production assistants or runners. That way they can learn the skills they need to progress to production secretary and then assistant production coordinator.
Working in the production department is a good role for people who have acquired business or project management skills in another industry and want to move into film and TV. Hospitality is a great area to have worked in as you will have dealt with people, finances and logistics.
It also helps if you can drive, especially outside of London. If getting a driving licence is a financial barrier to you, consider applying for a ScreenSkills bursary to help you pay for it.
At school or college:
To become an assistant production coordinator, you need a good level of education that includes GCSEs in maths and English.
A-levels or Highers in film studies, media or art and design are relevant. As it’s a role that combines understanding film production with project management and accounting, subjects that develop your skills in that way are useful too. Combine film studies with business or business studies and maths for a well-rounded skillset. Or you might want to take a Level 3 vocational qualification in business, bookkeeping or accounting. Look at what your local college offers in those subjects such as:
- OCR Technical Diploma in Digital Media (Moving Image and Audio Production) 
- UAL Diploma/Extended Diploma in Creative Media Production and Technology   
- T level Media, Broadcast and Production
- OCR Technical Diploma / Extended Diploma in Business 
- T level Management and Administration 
- T level in Accounting
- OCR Technical Diploma / Extended Diploma in Business 
- AAT Diploma in Accounting
Get an apprenticeship:
An apprenticeship is a job with training, so it’s a great opportunity to earn as you learn. You might be able to find a production manager apprenticeship, but it can be challenging to find apprenticeships within production companies.
It might be worth looking for a job as an apprentice in an industry that uses similar skills such as project management, business or accountancy. You can then transfer into production management at a later point, so long as you keep up your interest in film and TV drama and develop your contacts.
Check out What is an apprenticeship? to learn more about apprenticeships and Find an apprenticeship to learn how to find one in your region, or approach companies directly. Go to ScreenSkills information on apprenticeships for the main apprenticeship schemes in film and television.
Get a degree:
It’s not essential by any means, but you can 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.
Become a trainee:
Get onto ScreenSkills’ Trainee Finder scheme. Get the skills, make contacts and start working as a production trainee
Get experience in organising:
While you are trying to break into film, get management or project management experience. Any job that involves planning, organising and budgeting will give you good experience. Hospitality is a great area to transfer from as it combines all of these – as well as experience with people.
Meet people in the industry:
Go to  ScreenSkills’ events, follow your local film office and any local community arts and media organisations and attend their events. Go to  how to network well for some tips. 
Network online:
Create a LinkedIn profile. See if there are Facebook pages or other social media groups for people making films or TV in your area. There might even be groups for runners and trainees. Join them. Create a ScreenSkills profile. There are a lot of crewing agencies that will charge you to be on their books. Sign up to the free ones initially. Wales Screen, Northern Ireland Screen and other areas offer free crew databases. Find a film office near you and get connected. If you do sign up to paid sites, make sure they specialise in the areas in which you’re interested.
Explore ScreenSkills Resources:
ScreenSkills careers information:
The your career hub has a wealth of resources designed to help you start or progress your career.
ScreenSkills e-learning:
ScreenSkills has a suite of  free e-learning modules for those who are over 18 which can improve your knowledge. The  ScreenSkills Passport modules also prepare you as they are essential for some production roles. Some modules are available for those under 18. For anyone wanting advice about first steps, the  Getting into the screen industries  modules are very useful.  
ScreenSkills skills checklists:  
If you would like more detail about the tasks, responsibilities and skills required for many key roles in film and TV drama, children’s TV and unscripted TV you can look at our  skills checklists. 
You might also be interested in…
Working as a production coordinator in commercials, music videos, visual effects (VFX) or animation. Build up your skills whatever way you can.
