From Chaos to Clarity: My Journey as a production Manager.

As a production management student, I embarked on a project to film a class assignment with Group A. Eager to prove myself, I dove headfirst into the role without fully understanding its scope. 

A quick online search and review of my notes revealed that a production manager, also known as a First Assistant Director, is responsible for coordinating departmental heads, acquiring permissions, and managing logistics.

I spent hours creating a call sheet and budget breakdown, trying to herd my cast and crew into their respective roles. However, I made a critical mistake by not involving my project supervisor in the production process, convinced that I could handle it solo. Despite their repeated advice to seek help when needed, I pushed forward, only to be met with cast and crew members who seemed more interested in their phones than the project.

The day before filming, we rented equipment for a hefty N41,000 naira. On the day of the shoot, we set up cameras, microphones, and lights, only to find that our cast was uncooperative. Seven hours and N41,000 naira later, we had achieved nothing. The experience was a hard lesson in the importance of planning, teamwork, and seeking guidance from those with experience.

In the end, I realized that diligent planning and collaboration are crucial to film production success. I learned a valuable lesson: don't be afraid to ask for help, and never underestimate the power of a well-planned project.