7 Best Project Management Software for TV Production

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Producing a television show is a massive undertaking.

Successful television production requires a sustained, coordinated effort from dozens of people, departments, business entities, vendors, and contractors.

Television production managers must wrangle talent, film crews, set designers and builders, wardrobe teams, post-production edits, marketing, budgeting, and more to bring a TV show to life.

In this kind of hectic and overwhelming environment, it is easy to let chaos reign.

However, technological tools exist that can take television production to the next level and keep everybody organized, on time, and on budget.

This tool is project management software.

What is project management software?

Project management software is a digital tool that is designed to manage complex processes.

These software applications manage complexity by bringing together disparate functions into one unified platform.

In other words, you can perform multiple tasks from a single application, which greatly simplifies and streamlines your workflow.

Generally speaking, project management software offers users the following features:

• Task management. Tasks are usually organized in a system of ‘cards’ or ‘tiles’ that track specific line items that need to be done. Tasks generally allow users to set due dates, assign specific team members to tasks, make comments, and add detailed explanations. Some applications allow users to attach files to tasks, divide tasks into subtasks, chat or use @-mentions in tasks, or automate tasks so that they can be performed more efficiently. With certain kinds of application integrations, users can even convert emails into tasks. This feature alone makes project management software indispensable.
  
  Users can usually organize their tasks into Kanban boards, Gantt charts, calendars, timelines, or tiles. Some applications offer more or fewer of these options, and some charge a premium fee for the more advanced organization tools.

• Communications. Without effective communication, any complicated enterprise is absolutely doomed to failure. Unfortunately, we live in a world where high volumes of communication often contain minimal information. In many cases, communications are spread across multiple applications: email apps, text messages, Slack or Google Messenger, and Whatsapp – too many options for communication increase the likelihood of a missed message.
  
  Project management software unifies communications into the application. @-message support allows users to directly communicate on tasks. Email and messaging integration with other applications allows you to send and receive all of your communications from one centralized piece of software. Good project management tools will facilitate easy and effective communications with your team.
  
  
• Cloud-based storage. It is helpful to have access to your videos, clips, stills, scripts, call sheets, and other assorted documents from anywhere. It is especially helpful to have these documents in your project management software, where they can be attached to tasks, stored in a hub, or shared with your team. Even if they do not offer much native cloud storage, many project management tools have integrations that allow you to synchronize a DropBox, Box, OneDrive, iCloud, or other online storage to the application.
  
  
• Timekeeping and Invoicing. Tracking your crews’ time, fees, charges, expenses, and other basic accounting tasks is a boring but essential part of production management. Many applications allow users to track time within the application, which can greatly simplify timekeeping and invoicing.
  
  
• Union rule logic. Coordinating a shoot requires considering the applicable union rules to ensure that you comply with labor agreements. Some project management tools specifically aimed at television production incorporate union rules into their software’s logic, making it easier for you to coordinate a shoot without needing the headache of trying to figure out the scheduling rules.
  
  
• Version control. Version control is essential for editing and producing any complex project. Simply stated version control stores every change sequentially, meaning that edit teams can easily go back or forward to specific shots. Most business applications don’t require this, but television production is a unique situation.

Below, we’ve gathered information on several of the best project management applications designed for television production.

Why use Project Management Software for TV Production?

TV producers need project management software because it facilitates the production process, enabling them to stay on schedule, under budget, and providing audiences with high-quality material.

A vast team of individuals, including producers, writers, directors, performers, editors, and others, collaborate on TV productions.

All the parties involved can interact and work together on a project using project management software, which facilitates information sharing and task management.

What makes good Project Management Software for TV Production?

Good project management software for TV production should have certain functions and features that cater to the particular requirements of the TV production sector.

Users should be able to control these resources by monitoring their availability, planning their use, and assigning them to certain tasks.

It should have attributes that give information about the manufacturing process, like job completion timeframes, cost overruns, and resource use.

A good project management software for TV production should have tools that encourage communication, such as chat, comments, and alerts, as well as the ability to collaborate seamlessly across team members.

How to choose the right Project Management Software for TV Production?

The features, user interface, customization possibilities, integration potential, security precautions, and pricing of the project management software should all be taken into account when making your decision.

Look for software that works within your budget, offers the functions required for TV production, an easy-to-use interface, customization possibilities, and the ability to combine with other tools.

Check whether the software can be integrated with other devices and programs that you use, such as cloud storage, video editing programs, and communication programs.

By taking these things into account, you can pick software that suits your demands and facilitates effective project management for TV production.

Best Project Management Software for TV Production

1. Assemble

Designed specifically to meet the needs of film producers, Assemble includes features like production calendars, asset lists, task management, approval tracking, feedback, casting and location management, call sheet builders, and more.

Production calendars in Assemble allow teams to view their show’s production through the creative process.

A simple and clean calendar display uses a Gantt-style interface to display what tasks are occurring, where, and when.

Rescheduling uses a one-click command to allow you to reschedule tasks and their dependencies, minimizing complicated schedule rebuilds.

Computers are good at logical tasks like this, and Assemble’s computer scientists have developed a production calendar that makes a lot of sense.

Assemble’s feedback tool allows production teams to place comments directly into specific frames.

This allows for clear and concise communication when editing.

The feedback tool also allows approval tracking to help manage changes.

Versions are stored independently in the style popularized by software platforms such as Github, allowing for precise version control and a clear log of any changes.

Production managers can keep their production binders organized in Assemble’s cloud-based storage system.

Thoughtfully designed, this system allows tracking of all relevant assets in one location.

These production books are easily shareable with members of other teams or departments, greatly simplifying collaboration.

To keep in contact with production teams, Assemble integrates with commonly used office tools such as iCal, Google Calendar, and Outlook.

2. PreProCloud

Built to meet the needs of freelancers and production companies alike, PreProCloud features well-developed line-item budgeting tools.

PreProCloud focuses a lot of energy and attention on the bidding process; tools have been specifically configured to allow production managers to generate detailed, customized bids for projects and push them to customers.

Once a bid has been accepted, PreProCloud activates more project management features to coordinate the production.

Why?

PreProCloud is marketed to smaller companies and freelancers, and this feature allows users to pay for advanced tools only when they actually need them for a project – thus saving customers money.

PreProCloud facilitates communications with your production team through an email-based system.

Producers or managers can manage who has access to the project, which allows you to invite vendors, contractors, or collaborators to share the features of PreProCloud with you inside the application.

This adds a lot of value: being able to collaborate with the crowds needed to accomplish a production directly in the application is very convenient.

To help manage budgets and keep track of resources, PreProCloud offers users a variety of visual metrics and reports.

Advanced budgeting tools help keep track of purchase orders, petty cash disbursements, and time tracking.

You can even create a company profile and build standardized reporting templates.

PreProCloud’s budget tools are detailed and thorough, allowing you granular control over the project.

For any budget-focused production firm, PreProCloud is an excellent choice.

3. Movie Magic Scheduling & Budgeting

One of the original project management tools to focus on TV and movie production, Movie Magic Scheduling & Budgeting offers production managers a suite of tools that are designed to work with the mindset and workflow of film production.

While some might argue that longevity and popularity are not always perfect indicators of software quality, the fact is that Movie Magic remains one of the most popular project management tools for TV and film production.

Revolving around the production schedule, Movie Magic allows you to manage workflows using a Stripboard tool, and offers a wide assortment of variables – such as shoot length, re-ordering of scenes, locations, and so on – that production teams can assign to help bring a shoot from script to screen.

With integrated calendar and scheduling tools designed to ensure that assets are not double-booked or otherwise misallocated, Movie Magic provides a birds-eye overview of a project.

Elements can be linked together, ensuring that individuals who work on or interface with multiple teams will be in the right place at the right time.

Conflict management allows the production manager to rectify problems before they become crises.

Finally, built-in crew reporting tools provide information based on real-time data, allowing production teams to manage their shoots and assets proactively.

Easy interfaces with a budgeting library help keep your project on time and on budget.

All in all, Movie Magic Scheduling & Budgeting offers a comprehensive project management solution for production teams.

4. StudioBinder

StudioBinder is a comprehensive production suite designed to provide one unified hub to meet all the needs of TV production.

Built for speed, StudioBinder’s features load rapidly.

The cloud-based nature of this product also means no longer updates or installs are necessary to work in StudioBinder.

The project team can easily collaborate through a built-in UI in each tool, and tasks can easily be assigned.

StudioBinder allows production managers to manage their calendars, shot lists, storyboards, and call sheets through one integrated interface.

When editing scripts, changes are committed to the server and immediately available to other team members.

Scripts can be tagged to indicate that departments such as wardrobes will be needed.

A drag-and-drop calendar interface allows for detailed planning of shoots.

Shot lists allow for highly detailed shot planning including shot types, movements, gear, and sizes.

With plans beginning at around $29 a month, StudioBinder offers good value for the money.

5. Celtx

Still featuring many well-developed script-writing capabilities, Celtx is a project management tool that originated as a desktop tool focused on screenwriting.

Over time, it has evolved into a production management tool featuring advanced tools for script breakdowns, shot lists, budgeting, and schedule management.

All documents generated in Celtx are built to meet industry standards, making collaboration throughout the project professional and easy.

Scriptwriting tools aside, Celtx also offers production teams storyboarding tools.

Needed elements can be tagged to scripts and storyboards.

Detailed shot descriptions can be created through a simple interface.

Budgeting tools allow for comprehensive invoices and detailed financial reporting.

After a 15-day trial, Celtx is available for $13 .49 – $53 .99 a month.

6. Dramatify

TV production is a humongous industry.

Television includes everything from local access TV shows to larger cable news shows, advertisements, miniseries, comedies and dramas, game shows, reality television, and more.

Each specific kind of production is going to have different needs.

It is not the same to film a routine game show episode in a controlled environment or to film a live-action reality competition show on location in some remote place.

Able to meet the varied needs of these diverse productions, Dramatify offers multiple script formats and a wide variety of tools to manage a project.

Comprehensive rundown lists, integrated teleprompter exports and cue card managers, and thoughtfully built messaging tools make managing your shoot much easier.

Dramatify interfaces with multiple communication modalities to intelligently manage your contacts, and can instantly keep your entire team apprised of updated information in real time – you can even go completely paperless if your entire team uses the application, much more modern than carting around binders.

Dramatify includes additional features such as stripboards, payroll management, location management, and production reporting.

Built-in Episode functionality allows the production of series, including producing content such as trailers or promos.

7. Topsheet

Topsheet is a comprehensive project management tool specifically built for production managers.

A communication tool allows managers to begin contacting the crew as soon as projects are initiated.

Call sheets can be generated and distributed to the crew, and maintained in real-time across users.

When planning shoots, integrated algorithms automatically gather useful information such as weather forecasts and locations of nearby medical facilities.

Topsheet’s integrated time-tracking tools allow production managers to distribute time cards electronically to the crew.

Hours can easily be tracked, and the tool includes features that help ensure scheduling meets union standards.

Payroll can be processed through the app, including direct deposit.

W4 and W9 forms are integrated into the application.

The Value of Good Software

Project management software is not glitzy or glamorous.

Nevertheless, it adds tremendous value to anybody who is working on a television project.

The ability to coordinate multiple functions from one application, communicate with your team and with vendors, and keep all of the hundreds of moving parts involved working in harmony, will make this software an essential part of your digital tool kit.