• Summer 2026 Line Producer Training Application

    In this intensive 2-weekend training (4 days total), you'll gain hands-on knowledge of the line producer's role from pre-production through wrap, including how to build a budget, and manage a filming schedule. By the end, you'll have the practical tools and industry insight to step onto a set with confidence.

  • Description

    BAVC Media will be offering a slate of occupation-based trainings to help emerging media makers learn the essentials required for different roles in the industry. The Intro to Line Producing course teaches students how to break down independent narrative film projects into tangible numbers, creating a roadmap from pre-production through distribution. Students will critically and creatively analyze scripts, then use Movie Magic Scheduling and Budgeting software to draft a shooting schedule and budget for their own short scripts. The course also covers tax credits and incentives, budgeting for SAG-AFTRA talent, insurance, crew hiring, vendor relations, and daily expense tracking.

  • Deadline to apply is Monday, July 19 at 11:59PM PT. Early applications are strongly encouraged.

    Please note there is a fee to participate. However, accessibility is important to us, and we will be offering the fee on a sliding scale to ensure nobody is turned away due to financial hardship. See more below.

    Offerings & Structure

    • Up to twelve (12) people will be selected to train as line producers/unit production managers over the course of 2 weekends (not consecutive) in August. All trainings are in-person at BAVC Media's office in San Francisco. 
    • Each fellow will emerge from the program with expanded knowledge of script breakdowns, scheduling, and budgeting; enhanced skills using Movie Magic Scheduling and Budgeting software; a completed shooting schedule and film budget for their own short script; and stronger connections to their instructor and peers.
    • 1 instructor with professional line producing experience will offer hands-on guidance and BAVC Media’s Advanced Training staff will provide program oversight.
    • The course includes a mixture of lectures, oral presentations, software demonstrations, and analysis of sample works, with hands-on practice building a complete scheduling and budgeting breakdown using Entertainment Partners Movie Magic.
    • The course is meant to be interactive, with students' work reviewed in group settings to replicate a professional production environment; reflecting the industry norm of multiple people reviewing one another's work.
    • By the end of training, each participant should be able to analyze scripts across any genre or length, identify cost- and resource-driving script elements, properly budget for SAG-AFTRA talent, evaluate tax credits and production incentives, and review insurance documents, crew deal memos, and vendor agreements (with the understanding that this does not constitute legal advice).

    Primary Outputs

    • By the end of the training, participants will be able to:
      • Analyze diverse scripts across any genre and any length.
      • Identify elements in a script that increase or decrease costs and resources substantially.
      • Create a complete professional scheduling breakdown and budgeting breakdown with top sheet using Entertainment Partners Movie Magic for their script.
      • Understand SAG-AFTRA union guidelines and properly budget when utilizing SAG actors.
      • Discover and evaluate tax credits and production incentives that will help you save money.
      • Analyze insurance documents, crew deal memos, and vendor agreements (Legal disclaimer: This outcome does not constitute legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship).

    Eligibility & Criteria

    • This is considered an intermediate level training. All applicants should be familiar with film production departments/terminology and the workflow of pre-production, production, and post-production.
    • This training aims to serve as a brief introduction for aspiring line producers to break down independent film projects into tangible numbers and build a roadmap from pre-production to distribution.
    • Participants should have basic script literacy - the ability to read and understand a screenplay.
    • Attention to detail, ability to communicate clearly and proactively, and a highly collaborative approach.
    • Openness to working in groups, and willingness to share work with peers for feedback and review.
    • Availability to commit to 2 non-consecutive weekends of training in August.
    • All participants are expected to bring a short script they have written or a script sample they would like to bring (it is suggested that the script sample be 10 - 20 pages in length).

    Expected Time Commitments

    • Training will occur in August (on 2 separate weekends, not back-to-back)
    • Trainees will meet for 3 hours each training session, from 10am to 1pm in SoMa, San Francisco, at BAVC Media's office
    • Trainees are expected to be available in-person for the following days:
      • Saturday, August 8: In-person training in San Francisco @ BAVC Media
      • Sunday, August 9: In-person training in San Francisco @ BAVC Media
      • Saturday, August 22: In-person training in San Francisco @ BAVC Media
      • Sunday, August 23: In-person training in San Francisco @ BAVC Media
    • Attendance at all in-person activities is mandatory, otherwise your place in the cohort may be relinquished to another applicant

    Application Timeline

    • Monday, July 19 @ 11:59PM PT: Applications due, application will officially close at midnight
    • BAVC Media will begin reviewing applications on a rolling basis
    • By July 29: Trainees will have been notified of acceptance into the program
    • By August 3: Trainees must confirm participation and pay for their participation
    • Saturday, August 8: First day of training

    Pricing

    • BAVC Media is committed to providing high quality training to everyone. Please see our sliding scale pricing structure below. All tiers receive the same training experience.
      • Full tuition/Tier 1 = $800
      • Tier 2 = $600
      • Tier 3 = $400
      • Tier 4 = <$200 or free
    • Proof of income may be requested to determine which tier applicant is eligible for.

    Have questions? Please email edu@bavc.org for support.

  • Applicant Information

    Please note that certain questions are required by our program funder and answers will not be disclosed elsewhere. An asterisk indicates your answer is required.
  • Date of Birth*
     - -
  • Format: (000) 000-0000.
  • Housing status (please choose one)*
  • Highest educational attainment (please choose one)*
  • Current employment status (please choose one)*
  • Film production industry experience (please choose one) (i.e. experience working on a professional project - could be commercial, documentary, etc.)*
  • Which of the following apply to you, background-wise? (Check all that apply)*

  • Eligibility Agreement

    To confirm your eligibility for this program please answer yes or no to the following questions. *This field is required.
  • I am 18+ years old.*
  • I plan on pursuing a career in producing for film productions.*
  • I am willing and able to participate in a collaborative learning environment with a close cohort.*
  • I understand that participation in this program will require a strong commitment of time (about 12 hours), over the course of 2 weekends.*
  • Have you participated in a BAVC Media program before?*
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