Job Descriptions for film Flashcards
Executive Producer
Contributes or raises the majority of the finances or is responsible for creative
input such as writing the screen play or creating a series idea. Oversees and manages legal and financial
elements.
Producer
– Oversees and manages creative, legal and financial elements. The keeper of the “vision” of
the production.
Line Producer
– Manages the budget and provides day-to-day shoot supervision, reporting directly to the producer(s).
Co-Producer
Shares the producer credit and duties.
Associate Producer
Typically has been involved in one or more aspects of producing but is not given a
full producer credit.
Screenwriter
Writes the script.
Director
The person ultimately responsible for the look, sound and emotional impact of a film or TV
production (i.e. works with producers, directs actors, and works with all keys).
Production Manager (PM)
– Ensures the production runs smoothly and as planned, tracking the budget
and any unforeseen expenses, such as time delays.
Production Coordinator (PC)
Runs the production office under the guidelines of the Production
Manager. Among other duties, the PC organizes equipment rentals, travel and accommodation for crew
and cast.
Assistant Production Coordinator (APC)
Supervises or performs duties of answering phones, typing
and filing, to maintain an organized and efficient office.
Office Production Assistant
Carries out the office duties assigned by the PM and the PC, which may
include photocopying, answering phones, distribution of office paperwork and filing.
Production Accountant
– Coordinates the operation of the Accounting Department. Duties include
accounts payable/receivable, petty cash, journals, cost reports, cash flows and tax considerations.
1
st Assistant Production Accountant
Assists the Production Accountant.
1
st Assistant Director (1st AD)
– 1
st Assistant to the Director. Breaks down the script, develops overall
production schedule and supervises the set.
2
nd Assistant Director (2nd AD)
Develops the daily schedule, prepares and distributes the call sheets,
prepares Production Reports, supervises the wrap of production at the end of the day.
3
rd Assistant Director (3rd AD)
– Assists the 1st and 2nd AD’s as need either on set or in the trailer.
Completes the daily production report.
Set Production Assistant
Assists the 1st and 2nd AD’s as needed on either set or in the trailer.
Location Manager (LM)
Searches out and secures locations in consultation with Producer(s) and
Director. Obtains permits and/or contracts for all locations.
Assistant Locations Manager (ALM)
Assists the LM during prep and production. Manages the set and
supervises the Locations Crew in the LM’s absence. Often there is an on-set and off-set ALM.
Location Production Assistant
– Carries out the duties on set that are assigned by the LM and ALM,
which may include papering, crowd and traffic control and site cleanup.
Security Coordinator
– Coordinates the operation of the Security Department ensuring that all required
entrances/exits are locked, and conducting hourly checks of the site and access points. Also responsible
for ensuring that only authorized persons are on set.
Security Crew/Watchperson
– Assists the Security Coordinator.
Script Supervisor/Continuity
responsible for tracking script and technical elements on set. Acts as the
liaison between the set and Picture Editor.
Director of Photography (DOP)
– Translates the Directors vision through photography. Responsible for
photography and lighting elements.
Camera Operator
Operates the camera as directed by the DOP and/or Director.
Focus Puller/1st Assistant Camera
Maintains and cleans the camera and sets up for each shot with
appropriate lenses and filters, sets the stop and focus for each shot or set-up.
Clapper Loader/2nd Assistant Camera
Loads and unloads film, does the slating, and prepares the
camera reports/paperwork for the processing lab.
Gaffer
– Manages the Lighting Department. Responsible for ensuring the lights are set up and providing
the DOP with the necessary foot-candles, lighting intensities and lighting rations.
Best Boy
Supervises the operation and maintenance of the lighting equipment and ensures all
equipment and personnel are on set.
Generator Operator (Genny Op)
– Runs and maintains the generator that provides power to the set
while on location.
Lighting Technician
Places, rigs and operates lighting equipment according to the Gaffer.
Key Grip
– Head of Grip Department. Delegates the movement and operation of grip equipment,
operates the dolly and flag stands and assists the Gaffer in rigging lighting set-ups.
2
nd Grip/Best Person
Assists the Key Grip and keeps inventory of grip equipment, loads and unloads
grip vehicles, ensures crew and equipment are available.
Dolly Grip
– Specializes in operating and maintaining the dolly or crane.
Mixer
Head of the Sound Department. Selects and operates sound recording equipment. Responsible
for the quality of recorded sound on set.
Boom Operator
Operates and positions the microphone boom.
Sound Assistant/Cableperson
Responsible for placing radio microphones and transmitters on actors
and keeping cables clear.
Production Designer/Art Director
Head of the Art Department, which includes the Costumes, Sets,
Props, Hair and Makeup Departments. Works with the Producer and Director to create the “look” of the
film.
Art Department Coordinator
Assists the Art Director in the efficient operation of the Art Department
which may include research, services sourcing, budget tracking and scheduling.
Graphic Designer
– Prepares any artwork, drawings, renderings, illustrations or sketches to clarify
concepts as required by construction, props, graphics, scenes and costumes.
Draftsperson
Prepares sketches, scale models and other drawings for the Art Department.
Clearances Coordinator
Coordinates the “clearing” of copyrighted commercial products for use on
camera, including art, vehicles, signage, based on his/her script breakdown.
Head Greensperson
Head of the Greens Department. Responsible for the coordinating and realization
of all exterior/interior “exteriors” including site preparation and safety, terraforming, drainage and
operation of heavy equipment.
Best Boy/ Lead Greensperson
– Assists Head Greensperson, including on set continuity of all greens.
Property Master
Head of the Props department. Prepares the props breakdown, builds or acquires
props, obtains any weapons permits that may be required and supervises props on set.
Assistant Props Master
Assists the Props Master. Oversees the supply and loading of the props truck.
Firearms Safety Coordinator
Responsible for procuring and transport of firearms to set, including
obtaining necessary permits.
Set Decorator
Head of the Set Decorating Department. Creates, buys or rents all required set dressing.
Executes the look of the sets according to the Designer.
On Set Dresser
– Responsible to the Prop Master and Set Decorator for on set continuity of set dressing
and the placement of all set dressing.
Costume Designer
Head of the Costume Department . Prepares the costume breakdown and creates
the visual “look” of the wardrobe for the production in consultation with Director and Production
Designer. Selects, obtains and/or supervises costumes.
Assistant Costume Designer
Assists the Costume Designer.
Costume Supervisor
works on set and sees that costumes are worn as the Costume Designer wishes
them to be. Maintains costume continuity on set.
Truck Supervisor
Organizes, supplies and maintains the costume truck. Ensures that the costumes are
in camera-ready condition, including doing laundry, dry cleaning, ageing and breakdown.
Key Scenic Artist
– Head of the Painting Department. Supervises and organizes the painting of sets, parts
of sets, props and backdrops.
Scenic Artist
Works in coordination with the Key Scenic Artist in producing specialty finishes such as
marble and wood grain. Must be able to execute a painting of a pictorial nature including backdrops and
cutouts.
On Set Painter
Maintenance of all sets and set pieces on set.
Construction Coordinator
– Head of the Construction Department. Coordinates the manufacturing and
building of sets, cutouts, platforms and all carpentry work on stages and permanent buildings connected
with the production.
Construction Foreman/Head Carpenter
Assists Construction Coordinator.
Scenic Carpenter
– Constructs all scenic elements related to the production.
Special Makeup Effects Artists
Responsible for the design, construction n and application of all
facial/body prosthetics, duplicate heads, body parts, artificial teeth, facial/body hair and any other
special makeup effects not normally the responsibility of the Key Makeup Artist.
Key Makeup Artist
Head of the Makeup Department. Designs all makeup and facial hair in
consultation with Director and Production Designer.
1
st Assistant Makeu
Assists the Key Makeup Artist.
Key Hairstylist
Head of the Hair Department. Designs and styles actors’ hair, wigs and toupees. Works
with the Key Makeup Artist and Director.
1
st Assistant Hairstylist
Assists the Key Hairstylist.
Chef
– Head of the Catering Department. Responsible for operating the mobile catering truck and
providing the main meals on set.
Sous Chef
Assists the Chef.
Animal Coordinator
Head of the animal wrangling Department. Responsible for coordinating the use
of animals on set, including casting animals, hiring wranglers and trainers and transporting animals to
and from the set.
Key FACS
– Head of the First Aid/Craft Service Department. Responsible for first aid on set and sets up
and maintains Craft Service station which supplies nutritional food to the crew.
1
st Assistant FACS
Assists the Key FACS.
Picture Editor
Coordinates the assembly, cutting and editing of film images into proper sequence and
story form.
Sound Editor/Foley Artist
Coordinates, creates and makes sound effects.
Special Effects Coordinator
– Head of the Special Effects Department. Responsible for the supervision,
manufacture, setting up, operating, striking and storing of all equipment and material used for special
effects – snow, rain, wind, fire, smoke, storms, fog and explosives.
1
st Assistant special Effects
Assist the Special Effects Coordinator.
Transportation Coordinator
– Head of the Transportation Department. Schedules the pickup, delivery,
maintenance, rental and purchase of all production vehicles, coordinates the movement of all
production vehicles, as well as the transportation of all cast and/or crew to and from the location.
Driver Captain
Responsible for all on set movement including scheduling transportation to and from
set for cast and/or crew.
