Transport Co-ordinators are employed to work on very large-scale feature films, which have major transportation requirements. They are usually hired by the Producer to manage the entire transport schedule, including freight shipping, the hire of facilities vehicles, and the movement of cast and crew to and from locations. The role requires good transport and film industry experience, as well as excellent planning, budgetary and management skills.

Responsibilities

Transport Co-ordinators are in charge of all aspects of transportation on film productions, in particular on complex, big budget US-financed features, which shoot in different international locations. Transport Co-ordinators employ one or more Transport Managers to oversee the hire and deployment of such vehicles as mobile make-up and costume units, artist's caravans, mobile production offices, or mobile toilet units (known as honey-wagons), as well HGV lorries to move props, sets and equipment. Transport Co-ordinators also appoint a Transport Captain to take charge of the daily transportation schedule of cast and crew during a film shoot. Transport Co-ordinators are responsible for controlling the transport budget, and making sure that all expenditure is within budget. They oversee the hire of the required number of facilities and support vehicles, at competitive prices. Their role also involves drawing up the production transport schedule, in order to ensure that the required vehicles arrive at the right place at the correct time. In the case of international shoots, this involves overseeing the transport of cast, crew, vehicles and equipment to very remote locations - either by air or by sea. In the case of international shipments, Transport Co-ordinators are responsible for making sure that vehicles and their contents have the appropriate permits to travel across international borders. They are also responsible for the safe return to the UK of all cast, crew, vehicles and equipment.

Skills

Transport Co-ordinators working on large-scale productions need excellent planning and managerial skills and attention to detail, in order to co-ordinate what can be very elaborate transportation schedules. For example, a great deal of advanced planning is needed to meet the transport requirements of a big budget feature shooting in the desert in Morocco, including the shipment by sea of sets, costumes, camera equipment and props, and the organisation of travel arrangements for cast and crew. Transport Co-ordinators must be very familiar with the geography of the area in which a shoot takes place, or be able to gain a very quick understanding of it. They must be resourceful, adaptable, and understanding of the requirements of various key cast and crew members. Stars, for example, may demand the very best trailers, and their requirements must be met if practicable. Transport Co-ordinators need effective negotiating skills in order to agree the best prices possible for the hire of vehicles. They must be excellent timekeepers, as films shoots are run on very tight timetables, and transport delays can be very costly. They must have a thorough knowledge of driving legislation, and of the Health and Safety legislation relating to transport issues.

Qualifications/Experience

Transport Co-ordinators usually need extensive driving experience, and an HGV1 licence. They must have a solid understanding of all the issues relating to international transport, in particular the kinds of permits and visas necessary. While no formal academic qualifications are required, Transport Co-ordinators must have excellent communication, literacy and numeracy skills in order to carry out their role effectively.