Prep to Wrap: How We Support Productions at Every Stage
Written by Tacita Small
Every production is a journey - and just like your script has a beginning, middle and end, so does your people support. HR plays a different role at each stage of a production, flexing to meet the needs of the moment. From pre-production to post, we’re right there alongside you - shaping processes, supporting people, and keeping things on track.
So let’s walk through the journey, from prep to wrap, to understand how HR helps make production run smoothly.
Prep - Setting the Tone
HR in production prep is about laying the groundwork, and that usually starts with the culture of the production company. “What’s it like to work here?” is a question every freelancer, crew member, or contractor wonders when they sign on. This is where expectations are set for everyone; and it’s so important to get it right early on.
During prep, we often support people managers - line producers, HoDs, coordinators and others to understand what managing people involves. This can be a quick refresher on giving feedback, training on how to manage difficult conversations, or even how to conduct investigations if something goes wrong. More often than not, we meet managers who’ve never received training in basic people leadership. That’s not a criticism - it’s just the norm in our world, but it doesn’t have to stay that way.
We also brief the crew on codes of conduct, communication, and inclusion using our Microlearning app, live online sessions or in-person workshops. The idea is to be proactive: we are there to help productions get in front of potential issues before they spiral, so that the crew understand not only what’s expected of them, but what support is available when things don’t go to plan.
Shoot - Navigating the Pressure Cooker
Filming days are long, intense, and often chaotic. Emotions run high, plans shift at the last minute, and crew members are constantly under pressure. This is where HR support really kicks in. We become a calm, neutral presence. We’re often the go-to person when someone’s had a tough day or a team issue starts to bubble up.
We help producers and HoDs manage team dynamics, resolve interpersonal issues, and keep a lid on small problems before they become full-blown drama. We’re not there to slow things down or get in the way - we’re there to support others so they can do their best work.
This kind of behind-the-scenes support doesn’t show up on call sheets, but it’s what makes a real difference. Whether we’re coaching HoDs, supporting freelancers in one-to-one conversations, or helping navigate a budget shift without compromising welfare - our job is to balance compliance with care.
Post-Production - Wrapping with Intention
Once the cameras stop rolling, our work is far from over. Post-production teams face an entirely different set of pressures - tighter deadlines, editing stress, and an emotional hangover from the shoot itself.
We often work with post teams to help them recalibrate. We support managers in offering feedback, closing out contracts properly, and wrapping up projects with integrity. And crucially, we gather insights from the shoot that can be used to improve things for the next round.
One of the most valuable parts of our post-phase work is the wrap report. This isn’t just a list of what went wrong - it’s a reflection on what worked, what didn’t, and what can be done differently. It’s an opportunity for learning - not just for us as your HR consultancy, but for the whole production team.
The Big Picture - Making HR Work for Production
Our role isn’t just about policies and procedures - it’s about embedding better people practices into the DNA of creative work, it what we call Production HR. That means helping crews feel safe, seen and supported, while also helping productions run more efficiently and ethically.
We often describe our job as being part fixer, part coach, part cultural translator. Some days we’re dealing with compliance and process. Other days we’re managing sensitive conversations or helping a producer rework how they communicate with their team. It’s all part of supporting the human side of production.
Final Thoughts
When HR is embedded early and involved throughout, it transforms the culture of a production. People feel more empowered, managers are more confident, and problems are addressed before they derail the project.
We’re not just there to “deal with issues” - we’re there to make the whole production experience better, from prep to wrap.
If you’re looking for end-to-end HR support across your production, we’d love to connect. We work across TV, film, music and live entertainment to make production crews stronger, safer, and better places to work.