The audiovisual production officer organizes the human, technical, administrative and financial resources needed to carry out a project.
In connection with the producer and the teams, he or she plans the different stages, monitors the budget and handles unforeseen problems, from preparation through postproduction.
In Brief: The Audiovisual Production Officer Profession
| Other Job Titles | film and audiovisual production officer, production coordinator, production assistant |
|---|---|
| Recommended Education Level | 2 years of higher education (BTS Audiovisual Professions, production management option) to 5 years of higher education in production, film or audiovisual |
| Starting Salary | €993 gross/week (39 hours, audiovisual scale) to €1,464 gross/week (42 hours, film scale) (source: Onisep) |
| Employers | audiovisual and film production companies, TV channels and broadcasters, content platforms, studios and post-production companies, production agencies, technical service providers |
| Key Skills | organization and project management, budget preparation and monitoring, audiovisual law and contracts, funding schemes, planning, negotiation with service providers, versatility and responsiveness |
| Career Progression | production administrator, production director, production manager, executive producer |
| IESA Program | Bachelor in Cultural Productions - Film and Audiovisual - 3 years of higher education, RNCP title level 6; or Master in Audiovisual & Film Production and Distribution - 5 years of higher education, RNCP title level 7, work-study possible |
What Are the Duties of an Audiovisual Production Officer?
The production officer works under the responsibility of a producer or a production director. They coordinate one or more projects: film, series, documentary, program, magazine or live recording.
Their main duties are as follows:
- analyzing the project and determining production needs;
- estimating the duration, the resources needed and the costs;
- taking part in funding and partnership applications;
- drawing up and monitoring the production schedule;
- coordinating artistic, technical and logistics teams;
- booking equipment, studios, venues and travel;
- preparing contracts, permits and administrative documents;
- monitoring expenses, invoices and the budget;
- ensuring the link between production, direction and providers;
- finding solutions in the event of delays or the unexpected.
Their scope varies with the size of the production. On a small project, they may take on much of the organization. On a large production, duties are spread more among several professionals.
What skills do you need to become a production coordinator?
This career requires understanding the entire production chain of an audiovisual project. The production coordinator must in particular master:
- project organization and management;
- preparing and monitoring a budget;
- the basics of audiovisual law and contracts;
- funding and partnership schemes;
- planning tools and office software;
- the technical constraints of a shoot and of post-production;
- negotiation with suppliers and service providers.
Versatility, autonomy and responsiveness are essential. The production coordinator must also know how to communicate with very different profiles and stay calm when faced with the unexpected.
A working knowledge of English is useful for shoots and international projects.
How to become an audiovisual production coordinator?
Several paths lead to working in audiovisual production. Onisep notably cites the BTS Métiers de l’audiovisuel, production management option, as well as Bac+3 to Bac+5 programs in production, film or audiovisual.
Internships, work-study and early experiences are essential for understanding the realities of a shoot and building your professional network.
Continue with a Master
After a Bac+3, the Master in Audiovisual and Film Production and Distribution allows you to go deeper into production, financing, audiovisual law, broadcasting, and distribution.
This program lasts two years, leads to a level 7 title registered with the RNCP, and can be taken as work-study.
Bachelor in Cultural Productions - Film and Audiovisual
The IESA Bachelor in Cultural Productions - Film and Audiovisual is a three-year program leading to a level 6 title registered with the RNCP.
The program notably allows:
- to learn the methodology of audiovisual production;
- to understand the production chain of an artwork;
- to know film and audiovisual regulations;
- to work on projects related to films, series, and documentaries.
Where does an audiovisual production officer work?
The audiovisual production officer can work for:
- an audiovisual or film production company;
- a television channel or broadcaster;
- a content platform;
- a studio or post-production company;
- a communication or content production agency;
- a technical provider.
Their work alternates between the office, film sets, studios and post-production venues. Travel and irregular hours are frequent during production periods.
They can work on permanent contracts (CDI), fixed-term contracts (CDD) or fixed-term contracts for temporary work (CDDU). Many professionals work as intermittent entertainment workers.
What career advancement is there for an audiovisual production officer?
With experience, the production officer can manage larger projects and bigger budgets.
They can move up to the following positions:
- production administrator;
- production director;
- production manager;
- executive producer.
This progression depends on the experience gained, the professional network and the ability to lead teams and complex projects.
What Is the Salary of an Audiovisual Production Manager?
Pay depends on the type of production, the length of the contract, experience, and the collective agreement that applies.
As a guide, Onisep gives the following for a beginner:
- €993 gross per week for 39 hours according to the audiovisual production pay scale;
- €1,464 gross per week for 42 hours according to the film production pay scale.
These amounts are weekly benchmarks. Actual monthly income depends on the number of weeks worked, overtime, and any bonuses.
Source: Onisep, Production Manager career profile, accessed in August 2026.