what does a production manager do?

[michaw]

i met several production managers in the past and i cant hardly tell whats the nature of their work.=)

[missliz]

You might find this playbill.com article helpful:

http://www.playbill.com/news/article/141648-ASK-PLAYBILLCOM-Actors-Salaries-The-Levels-of-Stage-Management/pg2

[Mac Calder]

PM is often involved far more in the budget and over all co-ordination of the production than the SM - whilst the SM (or PSM) is responsible for the day to day running of things, the PM involves themselves in the longer term items - permits, organising site inspections, getting permits, ensuring OH&S policies are followed etc etc etc etc. Basically, a show that involves a PM takes some of the load off of the producer/director and some of the load off of the SM. Generally the job is death by paperwork and meetings. Been there, Done that... No thanks.

[Scott]

PGenerally the job is death by paperwork and meetings. Been there, Done that... No thanks.

That is not been my experience as a production manager in the USA.  I'll be happy to expand at later date (after the show I am currently production managing Off Broadway has it's official opening tonight).  In brief..

When I am production managing, I spend a good deal of pre-production time coordinating with shops and designers (with generally 2 or 3 production meetings in the mix) -- then from the time of load-in through the first public performance I am pretty much on-site with tech crews.  Except for collecting time-sheets and W-4s, I probably spend less time with paperwork when i am production managing than stage managing.

(That being said, I would truly discourage anyone else from pursuing an interest in production management in New York.  Now that the field of stage management is over-crowded, I would hate to see the same thing happen to production management.)

[Mac Calder]

Damn... Definitely in the wrong country... I don't mind paperwork born of necessity (in fact, big fan)... but I HATE paperwork born of bureaucracy with a passion unbridled... and PM'ing down here... lots of the later with a little bit of the former.

[michaw]

thanks for all the reply.