This time I'm going to address one of the most common questions that I get asked. It usually goes something like this: "So, I watched the credits for Mega-Summer Blockbuster-Gasm III yesterday and I was wondering, What the hell do all those people do?" While I won't even pretend to make an exhaustive list here are a few things to get started. I hope it helps.
Executive Producer: Usually a representative of the film studio or a major investor. The EP oversees the financial, administrative, and creative aspects of production.
Producer: The "classic" definition of producer is someone who has the greatest involvement among a film's various producers. In smaller companies or independent projects, may be the equivalent of the Executive Producer.
Co-Producer: Works under the Producer and is more involved in the day-to-day production. He or she may provide money to finance a project.
Associate Producer: Usually acts as a representative of the Producer, and may share financial, creative, or administrative responsibilities of that producer.
Assistant Producer: Usually works under the direction of the Associate Producer.
Line Producer: Oversees a film's budget and day-to-day activities.
Production supervisor: Usually performs the management type duties on a production.
Production Manager: Reports to the Studio an deals with the financial and "nuts & bolts" logistics of a film including budgets, schedules, etc..
Casting: Casting directors determine who gets to audition for the producer and director of the film. A good casting director can make or break a film.
Director: From the look, feel, tone, and performances the director is responsible for the entire creative end of the film.
First Assistant Director: The first assistant director, or A.D., is the facilitator. A.D's are the people who make sure that every thing and every one is in the right place at the right time. These people are the on set equivalent to a production manager. They work closely with the UPM's on logistics and with the director to facilitate the vision
Second Assistant Director: The second assistant director is the person who makes certain that the first assistant director's orders are carried out. Often the Second AD is responsible for doing the call sheet for the next days work.
Script Supervisor: This is the person who is in charge of continuity.
Camera Operator: The camera operator is the person who is responsible for carrying out the cinematographers directions. They are the ones who actually aim the camera and make sure that the frame and focus are spot on.
Cinematographer / DP: The cinematographer or director of photography defines look of the film. The DP translates script and directorial concepts into reality by creating mood, atmosphere, and visual style.
Gaffer: The gaffer is the head electrician. This means that they are in charge of all the lighting personnel.
Best Boy: The best boy is the gaffer's assistant.
Key Grip: The key grip is the person in charge of all the people who move anything from scenery to cameras, etc.
Production Designer: This is the individual who is responsible for the "look" of the film. from the appearance of the sets, locations and costumes.
Art Director: The art director is generally the production designer's assistant. They work with sets and locations.
Set Designer: The set designer translates the production designer's ideas and sketches into blueprints for the construction crew.
Set Decorator: The set decorator works with the production designer to select all of the decorations that will be used in a scene.
Property Master: The property master is in charge of procuring and preparing any object that an actor comes in physical contact with during a film. The prop department handles everything from food on a plate to weapons. If an actor touches it, it is a prop.
Special Effects: Special effects is the art of illusion that makes the dangerous, magical, expensive, or physically impossible seem perfectly believable i.e., fog, rain, fire, explosions, car crashes, flying, etc.
Production Assistant: The production assistant, or PA, is an entry level position. These individuals often work for little or no money in the hopes of eventually moving up the production ladder.
Sound Mixer: The sound mixer records the dialogue and ambient noise of a scene by using everything form wireless body mikes to big boom mikes that hover over the set.
Music Editor: The music editor's job begins in post-production. The music editor inserts the composer's prerecorded score into the sound track.
Makeup Artist: The makeup artist is responsible for making the actors look like they're supposed to for the role be it good, bad, or ugly. This work includes everything from beauty makeup to creating characters to prosthetics.
Hair Stylist: The hair stylist does the actors' hair and maintains continuity from scene to scene. Don't laugh, it's a LOT harder than you think.
Costume Designer: The costume designer is responsible for the appearance of the actors' wardrobes.
Costumer: The costumer carries out the costume designer's directions. This can mean anything from purchasing or renting costumes for the actors to making certain that these garments have been cleaned, altered for the actors.
Set Costumer: The Set Costumer or on set dresser makes sure that the actor is wearing the wardrobe properly and that it matches from scene to scene.
"Film Biz 101" is ©2008 by Corey Castellano. The Film Biz banner is a creation of Corey Castellano, ©2008. Webpage design and all graphics herein (except where otherwise noted) are creations of Nolan B. Canova. All contents of Nolan's Pop Culture Review are ©2008 by Nolan B. Canova.