What is the purpose of a production schedule in filmmaking?

A production schedule is an essential tool in filmmaking that serves to organize and outline important shooting dates. This document ensures that all personnel involved in the production process, including the crew and cast, are aware of when specific scenes are to be filmed. By listing these dates, the production schedule helps in coordinating various aspects of the production, such as location availability, actor schedules, and resource allocation.

In the context of the other options, while set designs might be an important part of pre-production, they are not the primary focus of a production schedule. Tracking filming equipment is also important, but this falls under different logistical planning rather than scheduling. Recording audio clips is typically a part of the post-production phase or sound design work rather than a function of the production schedule itself. Hence, the primary role of a production schedule is to manage and communicate critical shoot dates, making option C the correct answer.