So you’re ready to make a movie! And you’re doing it on a budget with the fewest crew members as possible, and are trying to figure out how best to do everything on your own. First, congratulations! That’s a huge feat and a great way to jumpstart your career in this industry. Second, have you found your line producer yet?

The reason I ask is that you might think that you can save money by doing the role of a line producer yourself, but the truth is that you might end up costing yourself more money in the long run. Line producers are an invaluable asset in any production, covering many areas, and if you haven’t done it yourself, it can be a steep uphill battle to learn on one of your first big productions. Here’s why…

What Is a Line Producer

A line producer, as defined by the Producers Guild of America guidelines, is:

The Line Producer is the single individual who has the primary responsibility for the budget and logistics of the feature film’s production, from pre-production through completion of production. All below-the-line department heads report to the Line Producer. The Line Producer may receive under certain circumstances Co-Producer, Producer, or Executive Producer credit.

For independent films, a Line Producer is sometimes hired to prepare a budget and schedule prior to raising funds but is typically not an advisor or deciding opinion on financing. The UPM hired to prepare the production board and budget, may or may not ultimately be the same UPM for the production. On studio films, or an independent film with financing in place, the UPM is a significant voice in arriving at the final budget. Typically, a UPM reports to the “Produced By” on all issues related to the budget.

This person isn’t just responsible for helping out the higher-up producers. This person oversees how your budget breaks down and how your film will be made. So if you’re trying to figure out how to save money, what you need insurance for, work with unions, understand tax credits, or know which people you ultimately need in your skeleton crew, then this is your guy!

And let’s not forget that “logistics” is how your film is actually shot, which means when, where, how people are getting there, if there are any special permissions or permits you need to make it happen, etc. This person is the definition of “spending money to make money” because by investing in them first, they’ll ensure that you’re spending your money in all the right places going forward and working with your needs.

What’s at Risk if You Don’t Know a Line Producer

Not to sound dire, but if you mess up in some of these areas, it can lead to costly fines, delays in production (which will cost you more money), and more. Whether you’re doing it yourself or hiring someone inexperienced to do it for you, it could cost you more to take the gamble and wind up doing it wrong.

In any aspect of life, finances can be some of the biggest causes of stress. A film production isn’t any different! And making a movie is a massive endeavor, no matter the size of your production. Whether you’re a director or producer on the project, you want to be able to focus on your job. Acting as the line producer yourself only adds to your workload. You’ll be at your best when you’re able to do your job and give it your all while limiting your distractions.

Read More: What Does a Writer Do On Set?

How To Learn To Be a Line Producer or Hire One

Now, if you would prefer to do line-producing yourself or would like to build your own career in the role, you do have options. There are lots of courses online available to you that teach you the major aspects of the role, including building a budget and production schedule. You can find them through schools with online and extension film production courses, as well as reputable entertainment industry websites.

The traditional way to learn the job is by working on set and working your way up through the ranks. Obviously, if you’re looking to make a movie soon, this isn’t really an option. But in terms of learning what the job entails, it’s the best since you will have hands-on experience gained over time, rather than learning online and trying to jump into the deep end.

As you can see there are many aspects to this job, and you’ll have to be adaptable to your project to manage them all and not drop the ball, while also paying heavy attention to detail. People who are great in this role and are regularly recommended by those they’ve worked with will be able to build a very successful long-term career.

If you’re ready to hire someone, there are ample sites available to list crew positions and have people send you their resumes. You can also find people through your friends who’ve worked with them and networking boards and sites.

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Whatever path you choose, the benefit of today’s industry is there are ample opportunities and options to meet your needs. Whether you want to learn the position or are ready to invest, there are resources available to make it happen. Just be sure to take the time to make the best investment now so you can benefit from great production later.

Read More: How to Find Distribution for Your Independent Film