About the Book:

Film Production Management 101 is the essential open-on-the-desk guide for everyone from aspiring and established Production Managers and Production Coordinators to seasoned Producers. Although directed toward dramatic production, it is an excellent resource for documentary filmmakers as well.

A comprehensive guide that grows with your career from Production Coordinator (PC) to Production Manager (PM), and from low budget to big budget. It is designed to be used every day open on the desk to mentor you through the production process on features and series from getting hired and hiring crew in prep to post and audit.

Known as the Swiss Army knife of production management, this comprehensive 500-page manual is actually two books in one: a detailed insider's guide for managing a film or television production covered from both the Production Manager's and the Production Coordinator's points of view. Deb Patz takes you on a journey from development and pre-visualization, through preproduction, production, wrap, post-production and even audit, covering everything with detailed insights, humorous production stories and the inside scoop on working in film and television production.

Film Production Management 101 and Deborah Patz' previous Surviving Production were quickly adopted as THE essential road map to the business and logistics of on-the-job film and television production since 1997. Originally developed from practical tools Deborah Patz created for her film and television production career, this 3rd edition has been fully updated in 2025 for working in a respectful workplace and using sustainable production practices.

Film Production Management 101 includes: getting hired; budgeting and breakdowns; setting up the production office; hiring crew; workspace organization; production scheduling; daily production reports; location management; production insurance and completion bonds; petty cash and purchase orders; deal memos; cast contracts; script format and revisions; customs and immigration; legal clearances; cost reporting; post-production; audits and much, much more.

With Deborah Patz' penchant for sharing knowledge and her knack for delivering the nuts and bolts of the business, Film Production Management 101 continues to be the book you have to have open on your desk for every prep, shoot, and wrap day. The more than 50 useful forms and checklists which are included will save you time, money, and headaches, working like a pro right from day one.

What people say:

"This is such an impressive new edition. The new chapter, Managing People, addresses the trickiest part of the job. This book should be on every filmmaker's wish list." — Kat Montagu, Co-Head of Film Production, Vancouver Film School, and Producer

"If you are, or aspire to be, a Production Manager or Coordinator, having this book with you in the production office is like having an expert beside you all the way! This book is an excellent Bible, an essential tool to your success." — Deb LeFaive, Line Producer and Unit Production Manager

"At last the complex relationship between the creation of a film and the day-to-day production management and coordination of that film is spelled out in clear, readable, and accurate detail. Deborah has written a wonderful book which should be extremely helpful to novice low-budget independent filmmakers and seasoned professionals alike." — Sharon McGowan, Independent Producer and Assistant Professor, University of British Columbia Film Program

"An invaluable and comprehensive guide. Deborah Patz has drawn on her own experience and has written a thoroughly researched and helpful book." — Norman Jewison, Producer-Director, The Hurricane, Moonstruck, Fiddler on the Roof

"Deborah prepares you for any situation the PM and PC will encounter throughout the life of a project. From the initial interview to the wrap party, this book guides you on how to be prepared and how to act professionally in every circumstance." — Chris Robertson, Hollywood Writer's Block

"This is one of the most insightful industry books I've ever seen. Anybody going into this industry should read it." — Seaton McLean, former President Motion Picture Production, Alliance Atlantis Communications Inc.

About the Author:

Deborah S. Patz has been a filmmaker on award-winning productions since the mid-1980s, primarily as a production manager and coordinator, and then as production executive. She has worked with Lucasfilm, IMAX, MCA/Universal, Alliance/Atlantis, Nelvana, BBC, CBC, the Disney Channel, and the list goes on.