Production Buyer
The Production Buyer is responsible for the organisation, hire and purchase of all props and materials needed for dressing the set. They liaise closely with the Production Designer, art department team, Set Decorator and Property Master/Mistress to establish exactly what is required, when and where specific items are needed and what can be sourced within the scope of the budget.
The Buyer follows the daily film schedule and design process closely in order to pass information of changes to relevant members of the production and design teams and specialist suppliers. They need an extensive knowledge of period and contemporary styles for furniture, artefacts and props and are often called upon to source and supply unusual or rare items such as guns, armour, vehicles, animals, carriages, foodstuffs, china and glass, paper ephemera, etc.
They manage all administrative processes for the acquisition of props and materials and liaise with the production team to resolve invoicing and receiving errors. They source suppliers, negotiate deals, return rejected materials and items for credit, purchase any props, materials and equipment for the production and follow up on deliveries. They work ahead of the production schedule to ensure everything needed is available and may also be required to help with dressing the set.
Employment is on a freelance basis.
A full, clean driving license is essential.
Role Profile
- Visual awareness: eye for detail and aesthetics
- Intellect: broad knowledge base of art and artefacts
- Innovation and resourcefulness to deal with unusual circumstances and materials
- Written and verbal communication skills
- Influencing and negotiating skills: confidence to work independently
- Tact and diplomacy to deal with people and situations
- Resilience: ability to prioritise tasks and work to deadlines under pressure
- Project and budget management experience: knowledge of financial management processes and systems
- Organisation and administrative skills
The Production Buyer need knowledge of
- History, social history, historical and contemporary styles for artefacts and detailing, interior design, furnishings, furniture styles
- Specialist resources and hire sources
- Production processes
- Financial processes and systems
- Health and safety regulations
Career Path
There is no established career route to become a Production Buyer. Many have followed an academic qualification equivalent to a BA (Hons) in Art and Design, English, Drama, History or History of Art before gaining production experience.
Alternatively, others have followed an administrative route into television and film production and have become specialist in props acquisition and buying over a period of time. Experience in a prop hire company is useful.
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