Assistent/Assistentin in der Filmgeschäftsführung

Media sources include ca:st magcrew united - The network for film and television professionals, DIGITAL PRODUCTION, Filmbulletin - Magazine for Film and Cinema, filmportal.de - Internet platform for German film, the Federal Government's Initiative for Culture and Creative Industries, and vierundzwanzig - The knowledge portal of the German Film Academy.

Assistants in film business management usually work in offices, film and television studios. They may also work from home or remotely as needed.

Core competencies required for this profession include bookkeeping, office organization and management, office and administrative tasks, human resources, production (stage, film, television, video, audiovisual), and obtaining and managing exploitation rights and licenses. Further competencies that may be significant include billing, controlling, financing, fundraising, sponsoring, calculation, cost and performance accounting, payroll accounting, marketing, media law, public relations, project management, and copyright. Relevant skills and knowledge also include business administration, finance, and controlling software, office communication and MS-Office, media, and human resources administration and payroll software.

Assistants in film business management mostly work at a desk. Many of their tasks, such as financial and payroll accounting, are performed on a PC. They may also be involved at filming locations or events, requiring them to be mobile. They carry out their tasks largely independently but are bound by instructions from, for example, the film business manager. Since they often act as the first point of contact for directors, actors, film crew personnel, and sometimes sponsors, a service-oriented attitude, a friendly demeanor, and a well-groomed appearance are essential.

Statements regarding earning potential for this professional activity cannot be made. Salary information varies; please check BERUFENET.

They can work in industries such as film, video, audio production; production of other video films, films, and television programs (e.g., film and television production companies); radio, television, and other media distribution (e.g., television broadcasters and production companies for video content distribution).

Employers often expect a commercial Ausbildung (vocational training) in media economics.

Assistants in film business management find employment in film and television production companies and with television broadcasters.

Assistants in film business management organize and manage processes in film and television productions.

Job and applicant exchanges include Blickpunkt Filmcrew united, DWDL.de, and Mandy.com.

Relevant associations and organizations are Bundesverband Produktion Film und Fernsehen e.V. (BVP), FMS FKTG Medien- und Services GmbH e.V., and ver.di - Vereinte Dienstleistungsgewerkschaft.

Working conditions involve screen work (e.g., internet research for potential sponsors), office work (e.g., managing payroll, checking incoming invoices, assisting with cost accounting and pre/post-calculation of film and television productions, applying for funding for a production), and customer contact (e.g., acquiring sponsors for a production).

Documents such as invoices, cost calculations, pre- and post-calculations, financial and payroll accounting documents, personnel deployment plans, licenses, budget statements, statistics, and legal regulations (media and copyright law) are used. Office equipment like PCs, internet access, and telephones are also working tools.

Assistants to film business management support the management by calculating costs and performing pre- and post-calculations for film and television productions. They monitor available film budgets and inform management if an overrun is imminent. They are also involved in selecting technical and artistic staff. They check invoices and process payments such as travel expenses, wages, and fees. Assistants to film business management ensure that taxes, duties, and insurance premiums are properly paid. Furthermore, they acquire sponsors and participate in press and public relations work, for example, by organizing trade fair appearances.

Entry into this field is possible from professions such as film producer, audiovisual media merchant (Kaufmann/Kauffrau für audiovisuelle Medien), or state-certified commercial media assistant (Staatlich geprüfter kaufmännischer Medienassistent/in).

Continuing vocational training (Anpassungsweiterbildung) helps to keep professional knowledge up-to-date and adapt it to new developments (e.g., in film production, media management, public relations (PR), or finance and accounting).

Further professional and career opportunities arise through advanced vocational training (Aufstiegsweiterbildung) (e.g., as a production manager in film and television production) or a bachelor's degree (Studium) (e.g., in film and television production). Under certain conditions, it is also possible to study without a general higher education entrance qualification. More information: Access to higher education in the individual Bundesländer (federal states).

Participating in the calculation and financing of film and television productions; observing the market, obtaining and comparing prices; calculating costs and revenues of a film production; examining financing options, e.g., film funding; planning the deployment of personnel and material resources; negotiating with providers and clients; issuing orders, booking invoices, authorizing payments, and maintaining accounting; participating in human resources; selecting technical and artistic staff; calculating, booking, and authorizing payment of wages, salaries, fees, and honoraria; calculating, booking, and paying travel expenses; conducting controlling; preparing budgets; evaluating key figures and statistics for performance monitoring; overseeing that the financial framework is adhered to, e.g., in equipment and special effects; participating in the marketing of film and television productions; carrying out advertising measures; preparing trade fair appearances, presenting one's own company and its productions there.

This section lists professions or activities that show similarities to the original profession. These professions represent a possible alternative for applicants. Furthermore, employers can consider individuals from these professions as alternatives for filling a position in the original profession. Some alternative professions only cover partial activities of the original profession; others require an induction period, which can vary in length depending on the individual case. The following immediate employment and staffing alternatives are available for the profession of Assistant in Film Business Management: Job and staffing alternatives for the entire activity (usually without induction): Film Producer. Job and and staffing alternatives for the entire activity (usually with short induction): State-certified commercial media assistant, Specialist in Audiovisual Media. A list of all possible degrees of relatedness can be found here: Explanations.