Crew Roles on a film set

Main Roles
Director: This role varies tremendously from project-to-project, but, in general terms, a Director has creative control over the project from when he/she comes on board until the project is completed. Producer: This is a hard role to define because there are so many different aspects to being a producer and each Producer is different (especially when it comes to making a short film). But, put simply, a Producer is where the buck stops on money, organisation, the team and rights.

Heads of Department
Line Producer: ensures that the film comes in on time and on budget Director of Photography (DOP): in technical charge of how the film is lit and shot Production Designer/Art Director: in charge of the production design helps create the style of the set. On low budget films these two roles are often merged. Gaffer: chief lighting technician 1st Assistant Director (1st AD): runs the set according to the needs of the director Editor: cuts the film together Production Manager: organises everything and everyone on set Sound Recorders: in charge of everything to do with recording sound

Additional Crew Members

Focus Puller: in charge of focussing the camera Clapper Loader: loads the camera, takes care of the stock and records each take Location Manager: finds and secures locations Grip: looks after all the equipment for supporting and moving the camera while shooting (tracking, cranes etc.) Continuity/Script Supervisor: makes sure everything seen on camera is consistent from shot-to-shot 2nd Assistant Director (2nd AD): helps the 1st AD, particularly co-ordinating actors to and from set 3rd Assistant Director (3rd AD): is the 1st AD's right-hand person. He/she is always on set and often co-ordinates the runners Boom Operator: holds the boom, ensuring that the microphone is as near as possible to the actors without being in shot Sparks: lighting technicians Costume Designer: designs, purchases, and manages costumes

Hair/Makeup Designer: designs, and usually executes, hair and makeup Production Co-ordinator: works under the production manager to co-ordinate the smooth running of the set Storyboard Artist: works with the director to create a shot by shot storyboard of the action to be filmed Stills Photographer: takes still images of actors and crew for publicity reasons Assistants and Runners: needed in every department - the more hands the better