Stage Manager
The stage manager handles all the material and logistical organization of a shoot.
In connection with the production management, he or she prepares the locations, coordinates the teams and quickly finds solutions to unforeseen problems.
In Brief: The Unit Production Manager Profession
| Other Job Titles | film unit manager, stage management head, shoot manager |
|---|---|
| Recommended Education Level | no single degree required; training in film or audiovisual production (2 to 3 years of higher education), then on-the-job learning |
| Starting Salary | collectively agreed minimum of €1,456.49 gross/week (39 hours) in film production (source: Légifrance) |
| Employers | film and audiovisual production companies (feature films, short films, series, TV movies, documentaries, advertisements, music videos) |
| Key Skills | logistical organization of a shoot, knowledge of production stages, safety rules, budget planning and monitoring, negotiation with service providers, management and responsiveness to unforeseen events |
| Career Progression | taking on larger productions, progressing to the role of production director |
| IESA Program | Bachelor in Cultural Productions - Film and Audiovisual - 3 years of higher education, RNCP title level 6 |
What Are the Duties of a General Production Manager?
The general production manager for film prepares and coordinates the logistics of a shoot. They work before and during production so that the artistic and technical teams can work in good conditions.
Their main duties are as follows:
- taking part in scouting locations and sets
- requesting the permits needed for the shoot
- organizing transport, accommodation and catering for the teams
- booking venues, equipment and parking spaces
- preparing schedules and passing information on to the teams
- coordinating assistant managers, auxiliary staff and providers
- tracking expenses using the petty cash
- ensuring safety and compliance with the venue’s constraints
- solving logistical problems during the shoot
Their daily routine varies with the size and complexity of the production. They must be able to react quickly to a set change, a delay or an unexpected request
What skills are required to become a production manager?
The production manager must master the logistical organization of a shoot and understand how the different film professions work.
This position notably requires:
- an excellent sense of organization
- a good knowledge of the stages of a shoot
- mastery of safety rules
- planning and budget-tracking skills
- the ability to negotiate with suppliers and service providers
- good interpersonal and managerial qualities
- responsiveness in the face of the unexpected
- great availability and good physical stamina
A driver’s license is often essential because of the frequent travel. Diplomacy is also essential for dealing with teams, local authorities, local residents and the owners of venues.
How to become a production manager?
There is no single degree that gives direct access to the position of production manager. However, a program in film or audiovisual production does provide the necessary knowledge.
The job is then learned in the field. The path generally begins as an intern or stage assistant, before moving up to deputy production manager and then production manager.
Train in Film and Audiovisual at IESA
The Bachelor Cultural and Creative Industries is a three-year program leading to a level 6 title registered with the RNCP.
The program notably covers:
- audiovisual production methodology
- production and schedule management
- quotes, accounting and financing
- artists' rights and contract law
- film and audiovisual regulations
- stage management
- the different stages of making a film, a series or a documentary
Internships and hands-on projects let you discover the realities of production and begin building your professional network.
What Are the Fields of Practice of a Stage Manager?
The film location manager works mainly for film or audiovisual production companies.
They can work on:
- feature films and short films
- series
- TV movies
- documentaries
- commercials
- music videos and other audiovisual productions
They work mainly on filming locations, but prepare part of their duties in the production offices. Travel is frequent and hours can be long or irregular.
The stage manager is generally employed for the duration of a production. They often work under the intermittent entertainment worker scheme, although other types of contract may exist depending on the employer.
What Career Progression Is There for a Stage Manager?
The path often begins with positions as stage assistant, assistant, or deputy location manager. Experience gained on shoots then leads to the role of stage manager.
With several years of experience, the stage manager can take on larger productions or move into the role of production director.
This progression depends on experience, professional reputation, and the network built up over the course of shoots.
What is the salary of a general stage manager?
Pay depends on the collective agreement applied, the film’s budget, experience and the number of days worked.
In film production, the extended collective agreement scale available on Légifrance sets the minimum salary of a film general stage manager at €1 456.49 gross per week for 39 hours.
This amount is a contractual minimum. Actual pay may be higher depending on the production, overtime, travel and allowances. Monthly income also varies with the number of weeks worked.
Source: Légifrance, national collective agreement for film production, accessed August 2026.