Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Above the line people are those with the highest level of power, the ones who have
authority over the production. They include principals in the production company,
producers, writers, the director, and the principal talent (actors or stars). Needless to
say, they earn the most money.
Below the line workers are everyone else in the production crew, generally divided by
profession into departments. Their compensation and working conditions are generally
governed by union contracts.
Preproduction Crew
Preproduction refers to the phase of filmmaking before the start of principal
photography. It starts once someone—a studio, a production company, a group of
investors—gives a green light to a script or pitch to go into production, meaning they
agree to pay for it.
Production Management:
Production Office:
Locations:
• Location Manager: Finds and secures all the locations, takes care of permits.
• Assistant location manager: Works with the location manager and the various
departments in arranging technical scouts for the essential staff
• Location scout: Does much of the actual research, footwork and photography
to document location possibilities.
Art Department:
• Production Designer: Translates the film into visual form (settings, costumes,
makeup).
• Art Director: Works with the production designer, creates and dresses sets,
acquires props, and helps determine the overall look. On a smaller crew, this is
also the Set Designer.
• Location Manager: Finds and secures all the locations, takes care of permits.
Sets:
• Set Designer: Works with director and art department to create and design all
structures and interior spaces for production.
Costumes:
Production Management:
Continuity:
• Script Supervisor: The person who keeps track of everything that has been
shot, including any deviations from the script. Responsible for matching
continuity from one shot to the next, including props, wardrobe, dialog, and
blocking.
• Director of Photography (DP): Works closely with the director to determine the
look of the film, lighting, and framing. Also referred to as a cinematographer.
• First Assistant Camera (1st AC): Ensures every shot is clear and in focus; also
called the focus puller.
• Second Assistant Camera (2nd AC): In charge of the slate (shot number, take
number) and holds it in front of the camera before each shot.
• Camera Operator: Operates the camera at the direction of the DP.
• Film Loader: Handles the film before and after exposure, ensures its secure
transport, keeps track of film stock during production.
• Steadicam Operator: Specially trained camera operator who handles motion-
stabilized camera rig.
• Gaffer: Also called the chief lighting technician. Responsible for the design of a
production's lighting plan.
• Best Boy or Best Babe: Assistant to the gaffer or key grip (see below),
responsible for the electric truck, rentals, staffing, and other electrical issues.
• Lighting Technician: Sets up and controls lighting equipment and electrical
power on set.
Grips:
• Key Grip: Grips are technicians who move and set up non-electrical
equipment—such as flags, overheads, and bounces—in coordination with the
lighting department. The key grip is the chief in charge of grips on set.
• Dolly Grip: Responsible for the movement and placement of dollies, cranes and
other heavy equipment on which cameras and camera operators are placed.
Sound:
• Production Sound Mixer: Ensures the sound is properly recorded and mixed
on set. They also select microphones, operate sound recording devices, and
sometimes mix audio signals.
• Boom Operator: Holds the boom microphone and is responsible for mic
placement and movement during filming. They make sure the mic doesn’t show
up in the shot. On smaller sets, the production sound mixer might do this job.
Sets:
• Set Decorator: Responsible for decorating and dressing sets during production.
Property:
• Props Master: In charge of finding and keeping track of all the props that
appear on screen to add authenticity.
Costumers:
Stunts:
Catering:
• Caterer: Prepares meals, snacks and craft services table for cast and crew.
Post-Production Crew
This is the final stage of filmmaking, when footage from principal photography is
edited, and sound, music, and visual effects are added.
Editing:
• Editor: The creative head of the post-production process, the person who
works closely with the director to assemble and cut principal photography into
the finished film.
Sound:
• Visual Effects Editor: Works under supervision of the Visual Effects Supervisor
to add post-production visual effects to final cuts of live action sequences.
Music:
• Composer: The person who writes the musical score, performs it and adds it to
the final cut of the film.
• Music Supervisor: Helps choose what music will accompany the film. Also
helps find a composer and manage any music licensing.