Sequence of Manning (low budget) Feature
18-Day Shoot



This is the rough sequence in which the producer should start to assemble personnel and talent in AND ASSUMES LIMITED FINANCING IS IN PLACE. For details see MM 07 March 1989 (or revised versions as issued, if any).

The reason you do not cast your star first is because you do not usually have enough money to attract a star. Once the production is rolling and you have a director and have cast a good group of supporting players and also have a crew and staff moving into production, you will have created enough energy to attach a star or a semi-name talent as they will be able to see plainly that you are proceeding into production. In this case, they will become the final jewel in the crown and come aboard because you are a doer not a sayer. Everyone says they are going into production but few do. When you show people you have the money in your hand, then they believe you. When you are actually going into production, any production with what resources you have at hand, and you just do it, you will attract the rest to you - providing you keep the quality up as much as possible and are organized, fair and direct with everyone - and they are all working on signed contracts and with standard hats (which they have been checked out on if necessary).


  • PRODUCER

  • COMPUTER OPERATOR

  • ASSISTANT TO THE PRODUCER

  • PRODUCTION COUNSEL

  • DIRECTOR

  • WRITER

  • BOOKKEEPER

  • PA POOL STARTED

  • FIRST ASSISTANT DIRECTOR

  • UNIT PRODUCTION MANAGER

  • PRODUCTION SECRETARY

  • CASTING SECRETARY

  • CASTING CAMERA OPERATOR

  • START CASTING SUPPORTING TALENT thru REMAINING PRINCIPAL TALENT

  • EXTRAS CASTING ASSISTANT

  • ART DIRECTOR

  • LOCATION MANAGER

  • LOCATION SCOUT(S)

  • ONE-SHEET ARTIST

  • EDITOR

  • DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY/CAMERA OPERATOR

  • PRODUCTION SOUND MIXER

  • COMPOSER

  • PROPERTY MASTER

  • PUBLICIST

  • LAB CONTACT PERSON

  • GAFFER

  • KEY GRIP

  • 2ND ASSISTANT DIRECTOR

  • WARDROBE MISTRESS (MASTER)

  • CATERER

  • THIRD ASSISTANT DIRECTOR

  • EXTRAS CASTING COORDINATOR

  • TRANSPORTATION COORDINATOR

  • 1ST ASSISTANT CAMERA

  • SCRIPT SUPERVISOR

  • BEST BOY

  • GRIP

  • GRIP/ELECTRIC/TRUCKER

  • GRIP/ELECTRIC/TRUCKER

  • BOOM PERSON

  • SECOND UNIT CAMERA OPERATOR

  • ASSISTANT ART DIRECTOR

  • TITLES ARTIST

  • ASSISTANT PROPS/WARDROBE/MAKEUP

  • STILL PHOTOGRAPHER

  • KEY MAKEUP/HAIR STYLIST

  • ASSISTANT EDITOR

  • ASSISTANT EDITOR

  • 2ND ASSIST CAMERA

  • CASTING ASSISTANT

  • PROMOTIONAL EDITOR

  • SPECIAL EFFECTS SUPERVISOR

  • STUNT COORDINATOR

  • MUSIC EDITOR

  • SOUND FX EDITOR

  • UTILITY PERSON


© 1988, 1989, 1999 by James R. Jaeger II All Rights Reserved