FILM CREW POSITIONS
Assistant Camera (A.C.): Responsible for the care and maintenance of the camera and all of
its associated pieces and parts. The first A.C. works closely with the camera
operator and the director of photography at the cameras, while the second
A.C. loads the film and runs the slate. A director of photography
will often have a favorite A.C. with whom he or she prefers to work.
Assistant Director (A.D.): An assistant to the director, the first A.D. runs the
set, plans the cost-efficient scheduling of locations and talent, schedules the
daysÕ shooting and is responsible for carrying out the directorÕs instructions.
The second A.D. signs actors in and out, handles paperwork relating to
the number of hours worked, and is usually the person in charge of production
assistants.
Art Director: Designs and constructs sets for the production designer.
Associate Producer: The top assistant to the producer, usually the intermediary
between the Producer and the shooting crew.
Best Boy: The head electrician responsible for getting power to the set. Reports to the gaffer.
Camera Operator: Runs the camera during shooting. On low-budget films, the D.P. may
also serve as the Operator.
Casting Director: Responsible for supplying actors for the film. Works with the producer
and director.
Craft Services: Provides snacks, soft drinks, coffee, etc.
Director: Controls the action and dialogue in front of the camera. Translates
the written word into visuals and dialogue.
Director of Photography (D.P.): Responsible for the ÒlookÓ of the film; works with the lighting
director to set-up shots and camera moves. The D.P. has the ultimate
responsibility for ensuring that each scene is properly recorded on film.
Sometimes called the cinematographer.
Dolly Grip: Prepares the camera dolly and associated hardware, and operates the
dolly during the shoot.
Editor: Cuts the film and splices it together. There is usually more than
one editor on a large project.
Electrician: A member of the electrical department; reports directly to the
Best Boy.
Executive Producer: Arranges financing, but may not be directly involved with the
day-to-day productions of the film. This is sometimes conferred upon a studio
executive who works with several projects simultaneously.
Foley Artist: A sound effects artist who works on a special ÒFoleyÓ stage where
sound effects are recorded to match visuals such as doors closing, feet
walking, and window breaking.
Gaffer: Works with the D.P. and the lighting director to light
the scene. Handles the equipment.
Grip: Works with the lighting and camera departments. The backbone of the
film shoot, grips are responsible for moving equipment and generally assisting
the production team. The key grip is the head of the grip department.
Line Producer: Responsible for keeping the filmÕs costs down. Approves expenses,
including locations, actors, and crew.
Location Manager: Scouts locations and negotiates use agreements with property owners.
Works with the transportation captain to make sure there is enough
parking at the location; works with local officials to coordinate shooting
schedules, and is responsible for the condition of the locations after shooting
is finished.
Location Scout: Searches for the perfect locations, both in terms of artistic and
logistic considerations. Often becomes the location manager once production has
begun.
Mixer: Takes care of all sound levels in a studio, on location and in
post-production. Head of the sound department.
Producer: Brings a specific production together. Chooses the screenplay,
arranges financing, hires a director, helps in the casting process, and is
responsible for the day-to-day operation of the shoot. Is involved with the
editing and all post-production and may also consult on marketing and
distribution.
Production Assistant (P.A.): The runners, ÔgophersÕ on the set. The job can include holding back
onlookers, getting coffee, answering phones in the production office, escorting
actors to locations, acting as a stand-in while a short is worked out, or
performing any other tasks required to make the production run more smoothly.
Production Designer: Responsible for sets, props and costumes. Works closely with the
director to determine the overall ÔlookÕ of the film.
Production Manager (P.M.): Makes the business deals, including hotel/housing, crew hiring,
equipment rental and budget management. The P.M. works with the A.D.
on scheduling and review production reports. The P.M. signs checks.
Production Unit: The team of the director, camera crew, lighting department, sound
crew, electrician and everyone else who works on the shoot.
Screenwriter: Writes a script, either from an original idea or from an existing
book or story.
Script Supervisor: Keeps track of how many takes are made of each shot and scene, how
long they ran and who was in them, and makes detailed notes about what took
place, such as; was her hat on or off? Was the glass half full or empty? This
is important so scenes can be recreated if they need to be re-shot. Also
referred to as continuity.
Slate: A board (usually black and white) placed in front of the cameras at
the beginning or end of each take of each scene, identifying the scene and take
numbers.
Special Effects: Can be either mechanical (breakaway chairs), or optical (in-camera
effects like speeding up the film), computer graphics, or a combination.
Stand-in: A member of the production team who takes the place of the actor
while the director, D.P. and camera operator set up the shot. Usually a P.A.
Stunt Coordinators: Stages the stunts and works with the stunt players. Responsible for the safety of all involved in the filming of a
stunt.
Talent Agent: Represents actors, models and extras and tries to get them work on
film, television, video or still-print projects.
Transportation Captain: Makes sure everyone gets to the location. Responsible
for all vehicle movement and parking. All drivers report to the transportation
captain.
Unit Manager/Unit Production Manager
(U.P.M.): Assists the production manager or the
companyÕs business manager with the day-to-day financial operations of the
shoot. Sometimes also functions as a location scout.
Video Assist: Operates a small video system called a video tap that records
everything the camera is recording. This allows the director to see what the
camera operator sees thus assuring that the shot looks the way it was planned
to.
Wardrobe: Not to be confused with the costume designer, the wardrobe
department handles the costumes on the set. Usually there is one department for
men and one for women.