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Production Coordinator

What does a Production Coordinator do and what you need to know to become one? 

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What does a Production Coordinator do?

A production coordinator is responsible for the day-to-day organisation and communication that keeps a film, television, or VFX production running smoothly. Working directly under the production manager or producer, the coordinator manages schedules, tracks deliverables, facilitates communication between departments, handles crew logistics, and ensures that artists and crew have the information and resources they need to do their work. The role exists in both live-action production and in post-production and VFX environments, where coordinators manage the flow of shots through a complex pipeline of artists and supervisors. In Australia, production coordinators are employed on feature films, television drama, VFX productions, and at animation studios, and the role is widely regarded as one of the most important pathways into a broader producing career.

What is a typical day as a Production Coordinator?

A production coordinator’s day begins early, checking email and messages for any overnight updates that affect the day’s schedule. They update the daily call sheet or shot schedules, communicate changes to the relevant departments, and act as the central hub of information for the production. In a VFX environment, they track shot progress in ShotGrid, coordinate reviews between supervisors and clients, and manage the flow of assets between departments. In live-action production, they coordinate crew calls, transport, location access, equipment, and catering logistics. The volume of communication in this role is high, and the ability to stay organised under pressure is essential.

8:00 AM

Check overnight emails and messages; update the call sheet for today’s shoot with a last-minute location change notified at 7pm

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8:30 AM

Send updated call sheet to all department heads; confirm transport arrangements for the additional location

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9:00 AM

Arrive on set; check in with the 1st AD and production manager on any crew or equipment issues

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9:30 AM

Coordinate a permit issue with local council via phone — follow up with the locations manager to confirm resolution

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11:00 AM

Update the production schedule in Movie Magic to reflect the extra half-day shoot that was agreed this morning

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12:30 PM

Lunch break

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1:30 PM

Respond to a purchase order query from the art department; chase the DOP’s equipment hire invoice for accounts

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2:30 PM

Weekly production meeting: present schedule updates, flag two outstanding risks to the producer

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4:00 PM

Begin drafting tomorrow’s call sheet; confirm crew call times with the 1st AD

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5:30 PM

egin drafting tomorrow’s call sheet; confirm crew call times with the 1st AD

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Film and Virtual Production Facilities Main | AIE

What should I be able to do as a Production Coordinator?

Skills

  • Manage and distribute production schedules, call sheets, and daily updates
  • Track deliverables and shot progress in a production management system
  • Coordinate logistics: crew calls, transport, location access, and equipment
  • Facilitate clear communication between departments and to external stakeholders
  • Identify and escalate production risks before they become problems
  • Manage high volumes of communication calmly and accurately under pressure
  • Maintain accurate production paperwork, purchase orders, and records

Knowledge

  • Film and television production workflow from pre-production through to post
  • VFX and animation production pipeline structure (for VFX coordinator roles)
  • Production scheduling and the role of the call sheet
  • Crew department structures and the responsibilities of each department head
  • Basic understanding of production budgeting and purchase order processes
  • Australian screen industry unions, awards, and employment obligations (MEAA)
  • Health and safety obligations on a film or television set

Typical salaries for Production Coordinators in Australia

All salaries are approximates based on recently advertised positions in Australia.

$0k

Entry-level (0–3 years)

$0k

Mid-career (4–9 years)

$0k

Senior (10+ years)

I Want To Be A Production Coordinator

Software used by Production Coordinators

The more platforms you are trained in, the more valuable you will be to an employer. Production Coordinators may need knowledge of a combination of the following software.

Microsoft Office Logo | AIE

Microsoft Office for call sheets, schedules, documents

How to get a job as a Production Coordinator

  • Start as a production assistant or runner on film, TV, or VFX productions to learn the workflow from the ground up
  • Volunteer on student or short film productions in a coordination capacity
  • Learn Movie Magic Scheduling and ShotGrid — both are used widely on Australian productions
  • Join the MEAA (Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance) for networking and industry awareness
  • Apply for Screen Australia and state screen agency crew attachment programs
  • Build strong relationships with producers and production managers — this role is heavily relationship-driven

AIE courses for Production Coordinators

Filmmaking

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Games Business Graduate Diploma

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Podcasting Foundations

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Filmmaking Foundations

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Filmmaking for Beginners

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Filmmaking Foundations VET (SA)

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Do you have what it takes to be a Production Coordinator?

Read the points below and if these sound like you, production coordination could be a great option!

  • You are a natural organiser. In group situations, you instinctively keep track of who needs what and make sure nothing falls through the cracks.
  • You enjoy working with many different types of people. Production coordinators interact daily with crew from every department, external suppliers, and clients.
  • You are calm under pressure and can think clearly when multiple things are going wrong simultaneously.
  • u are a strong written and verbal communicator. A call sheet or schedule update that is unclear can cause serious problems on a production.
  • You enjoy the logistics of making things happen. The satisfation of a smoothly run production day is meaningful to you.
  • You are genuinely interested in the screen industry and want to understand how productions are made from the inside.
  • You are detail-oriented. A missed crew call, a wrong address, or an overlooked permit can have significant consequences.

The production coordinator role is one of the best entry points into the screen industry for people who are organised, communicative, and thrive in fast-moving environments. Many of Australia’s best producers and production managers started their careers as coordinators.

How to become a Production Coordinator

Find out how to be a Production Coordinator at an AIE event

AIE runs campus and online events throughout the year and we encourage students to attend. AIE also broadcast regular livestreams with our alumni and industry professionals that provide insight into future career paths.

Open Day

August 16, 2026

Discover the courses designed to get you started in game development, 3D animation and visual…

Starts at 10am

See Event

Roles related to Production Coordinator in the industry

Production Coordinator

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Director

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