What is a Post Production Supervisor?
A description of a job that is the glue of post production but nobody knows about.
A quick online search of the term “Post Production Supervisor” will pop up a slew of different, and incredibly varied takes of the position. The long and short of it is this… it is what you make it. The position is one where you can talk to dozens of Post Supes (for short) and find that what they’ve done on productions vary widely because how much is needed depends greatly on the overall team. When I first started working in the industry no one, not even my mom, understood what I did. She would often just try to explain it away in some fancy word magic she’d spin. She finally landed on a variations of this “The Big Boss of Post Production, she manages a lot of people and gets to see all the footage before it’s cut together.” But as those of us who actually do the job know, “manage” is a very loose term here since we do not get to make any of the actual decisions.
It is what you make it, I heard this recently and it really stuck. I’ve worked with Showrunners/Producers who are very hands on and in it from start to finish where it’s more of a partnership, and then I’ve worked with others who wanted little if anything to do with running post other then having choices presented to them to make the final decisions on, so in essence I’ve stepped in as a show runner (without the credit), while the Producer wrapped early and I got everything to the finish line myself. I don’t mind doing it, I truly love what I do in post.
But in the most broadest sense of the term a Post Production Supervisor is someone who has an eye specifically on Post. Who is managing the budget and the schedule and bringing up any foreseeable issues and mitigating them as quickly as possible. In the best scenario they are very much the go to partner in post for any director/producer.
They also hold a key role in communication with the networks. They don’t just answer to the production but to producers, studios, financiers etc… This means that not only do we have to understand and be really good at math, staying on top of trending technology, have great project management skills, we also need to be fantastic at playing politics. A great Post Supe is responsible for managing all the relationships in post. I once worked on a large scale scripted feature film where we were really struggling to nail in the color, the director had expressed how he had lost all confidence with the colorist, so I stepped in and did the next color session myself so I could figure out what was going on. Within 2 hours I was able to pinpoint where the issues were at have the right discussions with the right people who could help the colorist do what was needed and we got the film to a place where the director was happy. This is the kind of partnership I love. Relationship is the biggest part of the job.
It should also be mentioned that many times the Post Supe can often be one of the most experienced members of the production, working with new producers or directors who really need someone to walk them through the process step by step.
So much of the film is shaped in the post process, not the filming process. The entirety of a finished film is due to the tireless efforts of all the members of Post Production. It is very much a team sport, and as the Post Super you get to help that team get to the finish line.
Post Production Supervisor is a key role in the filmmaking process responsible for overseeing all aspects of post-production, which refers to the phase of filmmaking that occurs after principal photography has been completed. Their primary responsibility is to ensure that the project is completed on time, within budget, and according to the creative vision of the director and producers.
Key responsibilities of a Post Production Supervisor include:
Budgeting and Scheduling: We create and manage the post-production budget and schedule, ensuring that resources are allocated efficiently and that the project stays on track.
Workflow Management: We oversee the entire post-production process, from footage to editing to visual effects, sound design, and final mastering. This involves coordinating the work of dozens of people, and many different departments involved in post-production.
Quality Control: We ensure that the technical and creative aspects of the project meet the required standards. This may involve reviewing edits, visual effects shots, sound mixes, and color grading to ensure consistency and quality.
Communication: We act as a liaison between various departments, including editorial, visual effects, sound, music, and distribution. Effective communication is essential to ensure that everyone involved in post-production is working towards the same goals.
Problem Solving: We troubleshoot any issues that arise during post-production, whether they are technical challenges, scheduling conflicts, or creative disagreements. They must find solutions quickly to keep the project on track.
Delivery: We oversee the delivery of the final product, ensuring that it meets all technical specifications and legal requirements for distribution, whether it's for theatrical release, television broadcast, streaming platforms, or other formats.
Overall, the Post Production Supervisors play a huge role in bringing the director's/producer’s vision to life and ensuring that the project is completed successfully. You would not believe how many projects get abandoned once in post production. Seriously, post is no joke, and many first timers don’t fully understand how to get a project to the finish line. We all have strong organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills, as well as a broad understanding of the post production process and industry standards. Industry standards is a huge one if you want to get taken seriously.
I wanted to end with this little video from Sheryl Benko, she talks a bit about her experience in being a Post Super and what all is involved. Let’s shine a light on Post Workers who so often get left in the dark.
Let me know what I missed on the list. Should I talk about how Post Workers are one of the only portion of the industry that aren’t included in Unions? Or would you rather hear a funny post story next?
Until next time,
Shawna