The Workshop
Production Value is a workshop designed for two types of European participants.
Participants
The first group consists of 7 line producers and 7 assistant directors, who will be paired. Each team is given a “real” film project for which they must create a shooting schedule and a budget.
Tutors
During the working process, each team is supported by a group of experts consisting of highly experienced line producers, first assistant directors, post-production specialists, VFX experts, and sustainability consultants. These tutors ensure that every participant can create the best possible budget and/or schedule for his or her project.
Tasks
To ensure that the participants will be deeply challenged, Production Value selects only complex projects that are special in various ways. The budgets for these projects usually range between 3 and 20 million euros and are often structured as co-productions.
Workflow
The workshop is a one-month training programme for the line producers and assistant directors. It consists of one week of individual preparation work before the workshop, an eight-day residential workshop, and two follow-up days for finalising their tasks.
Prior to the workshop, the assistant directors are responsible for creating a shooting schedule (draft) of their projects. They will receive their first support through an online meeting with their tutors. They will also, if needed, have an introduction to the latest version of the Movie Magic Scheduling software.
A few days before the workshop, the line producers are asked to create a budget (draft) based on their information about the project and the schedule their team partner drafted. They will also, if needed, have an introduction to the latest version of the Movie Magic Budgeting software.
Upon arrival at the workshop, the teams immediately begin working under the supervision of their tutors. During the workshop, the participants review the chosen solutions, explore alternatives, and try to create the best possible shooting schedule and the most cost-effective budget, evidently considering the production company's specifications and visions.
Knowledge through exchange
Every day, all line producers meet to discuss the challenges of their work and profession. The assistant directors do the same. Through the joint exchange among peers, they gain additional knowledge about their role and start to create a network.
In the evening, the learning process is supplemented by presenting case studies. The experts give the participants a unique insight into the special moments of their work.
Real projects - true experience
On day six, producers and directors join the workshop. They build the second group of participants. For producers and directors, Production Value is a 2.5-day workshop.
After the producers/directors arrive, each team presents their film’s budget, assumptions, and schedule, including possible alternatives. They focus on the costs below the line—such as crew, equipment, locations, and post-production—while excluding expenses related to the main cast, director, writers, producers' fees, and overheads, which remain under the producer’s control.
During a whole day, the entire group will discuss the shooting plans and budgets that have been created. The producer/director will compare the results with their previous assumptions. The experts will accompany this discussion. Together, they will reevaluate the proposed solutions and, where necessary, look for improvements.
Better understanding
Through this exchange, the assistant directors and line producers learn not only the technical craft but also how to communicate their work to the producers and directors involved.
Thanks to the in-depth discussions, the producers and directors not only get a top-level schedule and budget but also multi-voiced insight into their project. This often leads to a better understanding between the producers and the director and to a better perception of the work of the assistant directors and line producers. They learn to fully profit from the knowledge of these professionals.
After the intense day of exchange, the tutors help the line producers and assistant directors analyse and prioritise the feedback, allowing them to refine the budget and schedule.
Presentation of the results
During this day, when the line producers and assistant directors try to get ready for the presentation they will have to make in front of the whole group (directors, producers, tutors, colleagues), the producers usually profit from having time to discuss further the received information in private talks with the directors.
After the workshop, the line producers and assistant directors have a last moment to revise their work. If needed, their tutors will give them final support. Then, it is time to send the results to the producers, who will receive a top-level developed schedule and budget for their project.
