Who hires on a film set: line producer, UPM and department heads

Updated September 15, 2026 · Production List

On a film or television production the line producer runs the budget and schedule, the unit production manager (UPM) runs the day-to-day of hiring and spending under them, and each department head hires their own department. Finding out who holds those roles on a specific production is the first step to reaching the person who can hire you, and it is what a production listing that names attached crew is for.

The roles, in order of who reports to whom

Producers develop and finance the project and are attached before anyone else. The line producer is hired by them to turn the script into a budget and a schedule and is responsible for both; on many productions this person is also credited as UPM. The unit production manager runs the production office, approves spending and, with the line producer, hires the heads of department. The production coordinator runs the office day to day and is the person who actually answers the phone. The first assistant director runs the set and the schedule during the shoot and hires the assistant directors. Department heads (director of photography, production designer, costume designer, key grip, gaffer, sound mixer, and the rest) hire their departments.

Which one hires you

Almost always the department head. A camera assistant is hired by the DP or the first AC; a set dresser by the set decorator; an electrician by the gaffer. Office roles (coordinator, secretary, office PAs) are hired by the coordinator and UPM. Set PAs are hired by the ADs. The line producer and UPM hire heads, not crew, so a résumé sent to them for a below-the-line role usually gets forwarded, at best.

Finding out who holds the role

Trade announcements name producers and directors; line producers, UPMs and department heads are announced later, if at all, and are learned from crew networks, union availability lists and production directories. Production List attaches named people with their roles to each production as they are learned, so a listing may show the line producer, UPM, casting director or department heads, and each name links to that person’s profile with their other credits. Where a role is not yet listed, the production office can say who holds it.

Common questions

What does a line producer do?

Turns the script into a budget and schedule and is responsible for delivering the production within both. On many productions the line producer is also the UPM.

What is the difference between a line producer and a UPM?

The line producer owns the budget and schedule; the UPM runs the production office and day-to-day spending and hiring under them. On smaller productions one person holds both roles.

How do I find out who the line producer is on an upcoming film?

Check the production’s listing for attached crew; Production List shows named people with their roles as they are learned. Otherwise ask the production office once it opens.