• Planning a film or television production requires a command of hundreds, perhaps thousands of details while keeping the broad objective firmly in view. The effective production environment depends on teams that work well together with each individual understanding exactly what is expected of him. The producer must be able to meet multiple deadlines while preventing expenses from exceeding the budget. The job is tough.
  
  

Accurate Time Projection

• You need to have an accurate understanding of how long will be required to set up, shoot and tear down a scene. In post production, you need to know how much time the edit session should last and how long effects creation should take. This knowledge comes only through experience as you become intimately familiar with production processes. If you depend on others to tell you, they may offer inflated projections based on how much time they would like to have, not what will be required to meet your deadline.
  
  

Understanding True Costs

• Cost estimating is essential to determine a production strategy that will be within budget. Labor costs depend on knowing rates for each cast and crew member. If working for a production company with a flat hourly rate, you need an accurate estimate of the total production hours needed. Tally all material expenses relating to props, costumes and location fees for mobile production. In the studio, getting accurate cost estimates from production service vendors and understanding all licensing fees attached to the use of music used in the production. The list can seem endless, but you must be exhaustive in researching every item that contributes to the production cost.
  
  

Scheduling

• Beyond knowing how long a production task will take and how much it will cost is the need to know when the task needs to be done. Planning a production timeline involves different factors for different phases. In general, you will have to plan around the availability of talent (actors and actresses), post production services and so on. When scheduling an outdoor shoot, you need to know when the sun is in the best position and which direction the light will come from at certain hours.
  
  

Factoring in Surprises

• Add to the previous list of challenges the need to prepare for the unknown. Murphy's Law is always in effect. Production tasks going exactly as planned are rare. Factor in time and money for the unknown. Adding 20 percent to your best estimate is a good rule of thumb.
  
  

• Finally is the need to recognize you will most likely answer to someone else who doesn't understand the challenges you face. Keeping calm with a person whose attitude reflects their ignorance of the process may be your single greatest challenge. The tendency to consistently ask for the impossible is often referred to your needing a "magic wand" that can make everything come together as requested.