So if you wanted to do this as a job

For some people, doing this unit will possibly be the first time they've ever managed a project.

Or it'll feel like that.

Truth is you've all managed things before, probably without thinking about it.

For example, you manged to get yourself into college.  You did the right paperwork.  Achieved the right results, applied on time, etc, and now you're here.

To go into a specific example in even more detail, you got yourself to tech on the first day.  You found out the best way to get to tech (you might have even visited once first, beforehand - what we call a reccy).  You had enough money to get the appropriate transport (that's called budgeting) and you arrived at an allotted time (which is scheduling).  If there was a problem, maybe you phoned in, or made other arrangements (this is logistics, or dealing with problems as they arise.)

There is, I'm convinced, no science to production management, other than working hard and believing that it is important to make everything on the film work the best way it can.

I like to take things personally.  I take it personally that a production goes well and worry when it doesn't.  I suppose it is personal pride, and everyone has personal pride and I think everyone wants to do well, given the right support and right reasons.

Don't worry, its not hippy talk!  In fact, its something students confess to each other every year!

However, for a more industry based definition, take a look at the industry website on what a production manager is and what they do.  The organisation is called Skillset and you, now, are part of the Northern Ireland Skillset Academy, which includes Queens and North West College.

http://www.skillset.org/film/jobs/production/article_3878_1.asp