Floor Manager

Management Job Roles

Floor Manager

Job Description

Floor Managers have a big part to play when it comes to film and TV productions. There main objective is to control what happens on the studio floor, ensures everyones doing the correct job in the right manor, they set-up props, arranges the floor, and conducts sounds checks to see if everything is in perfect condition for filming. They also help assemble the actors and presenters and gets them set-up in the places for filming.  

Skills, Qualifications and Training needed

When becoming a Floor Manager, there are so important skills and attributes you will need to become a successful one. Firstly, organizational skills are key, being able to manage people and make sure there doing the correct job and doing it to a good standard is one thing the floor manager must monitor. Being flexible and efficient are good skills to have as producers would want someone who can work well with others, cover other jobs if need and work irregular hours sometimes. Tactful and quick thinking is also a necessary attribute to have as if something goes wrong on the floor then you can solve the problem and work are it in no time. Being calm and confident are two good qualities to have when wanting to become a floor manager. You must be confident and trust your self with the decisions you make and being calm allows you to not feel pressure as much. 

The qualifications you’d need to pursue a career in to become a floor manager are:  

Band 3 - 4 or more (A*- C) in GCSE’s including Maths and English. 

Band 4 - 4 or more (A*- C) in GCSE’s including Maths and English, and 1-2 A-Levels. 

Band 5 - 4 or more (A*- C) in GCSE’s including English, and 2-3 A-Levels.

The entry for becoming a Floor Manager is extremely competitive. One easy way to get noticed for the job is if you have technical experience and going the extra mile to get noticed in my opinion is important and could benefit you in many ways. The pay for being a floor manager ranges between 14k-40k however if you are very experience and become a freelancer, you can earn over £100 a day. The media industry is thriving and there are many skilled people being introduced every day so as I stated before, going the extra mile can be the best way to get noticed. Make sure you are advance in technical experience but not just that, have experience in other small jobs roles such as an assistant floor manager, Gaffer boy, Runner, and others alike. Its also good to have experience in the theatre and big event companies. 

Where do they fit within the larger picture of the television and film industry?

Floor Managers are very important to the film industry. On production, they are usually always in contact with Director to pass on directions and see his vision. They control the floor watching over everyone to make sure there doing there job correctly and making sure everything’s running smoothly and effectively. They have a hard job in the industry and they must cope with pressure as if something goes wrong on the floor, they will take the blame so they must be switched on at all times. They work long, irregular hours and usually work on weekends and even evenings when all the shows start. There job is very high up in the industry just below in my opinion a vision mixer and director. A big job of theres is to make sure everyone is being sensible and making sure the guests and actors are okay and not uncomfortable and nervous. They must be a good leader to control and organize people which is key in their profession. 

What are the career paths leading to and from the role?

When learning to become a Floor Manager and if you are one, there are many paths that lead to and from the role. When aspiring to become a floor manager, jobs such as; Events organizer, Stage theatre manager, organizers and other jobs with a similar background in which your are to organize and adapt to quickly. To get to this level, you must have a lot a background experience, you must start from the bottom and work your way up the line, and also make as many friends as you can and always try your hardest as you can be recommended for other things. Starting as low as a gaffer boy can take you to the top, however you must be highly skilled and qualified and have a good attitude to learn. When becoming a floor manager, you can continue to climb the ladder to the top however its still hard work and will take a long time to get there. Jobs you can reach are ones such as; vision mixer, director, producer and others. You do need certain skills and attributes to reach these levels however you must be motivated and have desire to reach the top.