Assistant Production Buyer
Assistant Production Buyers are employed on bigger budget films only. On such films, they facilitate the Set Decorating department's work, and help Set Decorators to achieve their vision for each set. On big budget, studio-based films, the Art Department shopping list is vast. Ensuring that the Construction and Set Decorating departments have exactly the right materials and props required often means hours of research, or days spent driving around shops and warehouses to source unusual items. Knowing where to find the specific nuts and bolts required by the Construction Manager or the special antique braid requested by the Set Decorator, is an essential part of Assistant Production Buyers' job. They work on a freelance basis.
What is the job?
Assistant Production Buyers main responsibilities are the sourcing and buying of all dressing props (which are not hired from Prop Houses) and of the various components to be used in the construction of props. Whilst they work directly to the Production Buyer and the Set Decorator, they may also be required to buy items for other departments, as well as carrying out general running duties such as making teas and coffees, etc.
Assistant Production Buyers start work approximately a month after the Set Decorator, when they begin to research and source a variety of items. Much of this work involves travelling to and searching through a variety of specialist shops, to find the exact item (or the closest thing to it), requested by the Set Decorator. Assistant Production Buyers must carefully log each item they purchase on to a database which details where it was bought (in case more of the same items are required), how much it cost, and any other relevant details. They must also allocate a code number indicating to which set it belongs. As all items are purchased with cash, Assistant Production Buyers must manage their own petty cash, logging all receipts and reporting their expenditure to the Production Buyer, who monitors the budgets.
During shooting, Assistant Art Directors and/or Standby Props call upon Assistant Production Buyers if they need a replacement item for a set. They must act quickly and use their initiative so that they do not hold up the dressing of the set for longer than is necessary. After the film has wrapped (shooting is completed), Assistant Production Buyers tie up any loose ends and close the petty cash accounting.
Typical career routes
Assistant Production Buyers usually work at more junior levels as either Runners for a film production company or as Floor Runners on a production. They may also have worked as Art Department Trainees or Assistants on a number of films before progressing to this role. Most Assistant Production Buyers eventually become Production Buyers or Set Decorators.
Essential knowledge and skills
Assistant Production Buyers must have an understanding of computer database software. They also need to acquire a good knowledge of the local area in which films are being shot to enable them to make the best use of their time when locating items for the Set Decorator. A full clean driving license is required, and owning a car is an advantage.
Key Skills include:
Training and qualifications
Although most Assistant Production Buyers have completed some form of Higher Education, there is no formal training or qualification for this job. They may have taken a Fine Arts course to foundation or degree level. Hands-on experience of working at junior levels delivers a good understanding of how the Art Department works, the different roles involved, and most importantly provides a crucial introduction to contacts within the various Prop Houses and Suppliers, which are required by good Production Buyers.
Individual course accreditation in certain subject areas is currently being piloted. As part of Skillset's and the UK Film Council's Film Skills Strategy, A Bigger Future, a network of Screen Academies and a Film Business Academy have been approved as centres of excellence in education and training for film.
Where to go for more information
Skillset is the Sector Skills Council for the Audio Visual Industries. The first sources of information for all jobs in the industry are the National Occupational Standards. Browse Skillset's website for links to our network of training partners, information about training and access to the comprehensive Skillset/BFI course database. Finally, Skillset Careers is UK's only specialist media careers advice service; for detailed media careers information and advice, visit www.skillset.org/careers.
Websites
- British Film Designers Guild
- American Cinematographer has regular features on film design and digital production techniques.
Publications
- Ken Adam: The Art of Production Design (Faber and Faber) by Christopher Frayling
- Production Design and Art Direction (Focal Press) by Peter Ettedgui
- By Design: Interviews with Film Production Designers (Greenwood Press) by Vincent LoBrutto
- Film Architecture: From Metropolis to Blade Runner (Prestel Publishing Ltd). Edited by D. Neumann 2001
- Filming the Future (Aurum Press Ltd) by Piers Bizony
- The Invisible Art: The Legends of Movie Matt Painting (Chronicle Books) by M. Cotta Vaz and C. Barron
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Assistant Production Buyer
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