Studio Management

Studio management staff in the Music Industry is needed to carry out a range of tasks. They work in recording studios to handle the daily administration of the venue. In the case of independent recording studios management staff also ensures the payment from clients.

As they have a managerial role, they must ensure that:

  1. Staff are recruited, paid and retained when needed. They must also be trained correctly
  2. Systems are in place to record activities with clients and to pay invoices and raise invoices
  3. They keep accounts and other financial records for the recording studio.

Overall the studio manager has to ensure that the studio is as profitable as possible. In smaller independent studios the studio manager may be the owner. They then have to take the lead on managing the studio and being responsible in a day-to-day capacity.

In larger studios - or those attached to a record label there may be separate management roles. They will work alongside technical staff such as sound engineers. The manager may need to understand the work of several departments. However, they may not be involved in certain areas such as finance.

Studio Manager - Interactive Media

The role of Studio Manager is to ensure the smooth running of an interactive media studio, managing the team, overseeing the work and liaising with other departments within the company. It may also first involve actually setting up the studio and recruiting staff. The role can overlap with those of Producer1 and Project Manager2, and sometimes also with senior Designers3. Studio Managers are almost always employed in full-time permanent positions.

What is the job?

The Studio Manager runs the interactive media studio, typically as a department within a larger company or agency. Broadly, it is the Studio Manager's job to ensure the studio has adequate resources to carry out its work and, conversely, that the work it takes on is realistic and manageable within the available resources. He or she must manage and oversee people, equipment, workflow and quality assurance.

Studio Managers are often partly responsible for recruiting staff and freelancers and providing any induction they may need. They must ensure that roles, skills and procedures are optimised and used to best effect, to maximise the efficiency of the studio and the quality of its services. They must also make sure the technical infrastructure works correctly, and arrange for maintenance, upgrades, repairs and replacement of consumables etc. as necessary. As well as having overall responsibility for the studio, Studio Managers will often be involved with individual projects, typically alongside a Project Manager. At the outset, they may need to help estimate project costs, and validate requirements and timescales. During the project, they monitor the work to ensure it meets the requirements and are delivered on time, within budget and at the required quality. In some contexts, the Studio Manager may take a more hands-on role and may be involved with art direction and design decisions.

When an interactive media studio is being set up for the first time, the Studio Manager will need to work out exactly what people and equipment will be needed, and then source them. They must identify roles and skills and be responsible for recruiting a suitably qualified team. They must specify hardware, software and other equipment and arrange for its purchase and installation. The Studio Manager will also be responsible for devising processes and procedures, such as workflow, version control, back up and archiving, brand guidelines and technical or quality standards.

Studio Managers are key to the smooth flow of projects through the interactive department or agency. They must ensure individuals' workloads are reasonable and achievable. Measurement and monitoring of the current workload of the studio is integral to delivering projects on time, on budget and to an agreed quality level.

Typical career routes

There are no typical career routes, but interactive media Studio Managers will usually have gained several years of production experience within the interactive media industry, for example in a Designer or Developer4 role. They are also likely to have worked their way up to Producer level before moving into management. Some may enter the role directly from other industries in which they have gained management experience, or they may come from similar roles in traditional media, such as advertising, graphic or print design, or television. However, an understanding of the interactive media production process is essential, so those entering the industry from elsewhere may find they need training to adapt and apply their existing skills.

Essential knowledge and skills

Studio Managers must possess a combination of creative and technical skills, as well as management and people skills. They need a strong understanding of interactive media production processes, delivery technologies and capabilities, so that they can judge when it is appropriate to use particular approaches, and so that they can liaise with specialists. An ability to empathise with creative, technical and business needs, and balance these against considerations of time and cost, is essential. Team management, getting the best out of individual staff members, and resolving problems or performance issues are all vital skills. Studio Managers need to be confident, outgoing, diligent, and hard working, and able to manage multiple projects simultaneously, often to tight deadlines.

Key Skills include:

Excellent management and leadership skills;

Good people skills;

Good understanding of Project Management;

Good written, verbal and interpersonal communication;

Financial awareness, and ability to estimate accurately and manage budgets;

Good presentation skills;

Good attention to detail;

Ability to manage time, prioritise tasks and work under pressure;

Knowledge of the requirements of the relevant Health and Safety legislation and procedures.

Training and qualifications

Specific qualifications aren't necessarily required for the role, though many Studio Managers are likely to have at least a Bachelor's Degree. Previous experience of management is desirable, and a demonstrable track record of at least two years in interactive media production is usually expected.