While overseeing the finished budget is a line producer's primary duty, the industry is too complex for them to fully perform their job duties. Gaining a thorough understanding of the various departments' roles and how a production operates is crucial. Sure, keeping the budget in check is made easier by having strong numerical skills. However, being aware of the true costs associated with filming guarantees prudent expenditure on any given project.
When assessing vendors across many categories, a skilled line producer can advise you on the appropriate pricing range to target. They are aware of when you are overpaying for rentals of gear, for example. They may rely on their experience to determine how long an editing session will take and then provide accurate pricing estimates. Therefore, the budget for a project comes together more quickly and with less room for error when it is overseen by an experienced line producer.
