Film Crew Positions
As you start on a film production, youâll discover how many film crew positions are needed to fill different aspects of the production experience. Putting a  together is important when you start out on the filmmaking journey. Itâs a marriage of technical and creative collaboration to create a stellar film. Weâve created a list of the people who are necessary for a larger budget production.
Even if you work on a small-scale project with a smaller crew, itâs still helpful to understand all the people that will go into creating the final product.
Who handles what in the process? Youâll figure this out during pre-production so you wonât have to struggle with it while filming.
Pre-production crew members
The story editor supervises the work of the story analysts for the studios. The analysts check out various screenplays, books, and more literary pieces looking for something that will work well for a movie. They will write a synopsis of the option they choose while the editor will review it and then pass it on to the âhigher-upsâ for possible development into a motion picture.
The term âWritten Byâ that you see in the credits is a Writers Guild of America designation meaning âOriginal Story and Screenplay By.â The Writer will create and shape a story of their own, adapt a book into a screenplay, or work with a play to be used for the big screen. Scripts often go through many writersâ hands, which results in the Writerâs Guild of America determining who receives screen credit as the Writer.
Location Manager
The location manager will read the script to understand the type of locations needed for the film. They will also be the one that scouts for them. The location manager will visit different locations and take shots of them to later touch base with the director on the best setting for the film. Once locations are determined, the location manager also stays on top of the permits and permissions necessary for filming.
Dialogue Coach
The dialogue coach is key in helping actors learn the dialogue, accents, and more for the film.
Set Designer
The set designer will work with the art director on what the vision of the set is and then will go about designing and constructing it.
The art director (also known as the production designer) is responsible for designing and supervising the creation of the movie sets. They have to be skilled in various design styles, as well as have an artistic vision, and know about architecture and interior design. Theyâll work with the cinematographer to accomplish a great result for production.
The costume designer will design the costumes needed for the cast. They create the final look of the characters and make sure that they use the styles worn during the era that the story refers to. Costume designers are key to the interpretation of the filmâs characters.
There are other pre-production crew members, but this list includes some of the most prominent.
The unit production manager (U.P.M.) stays on top of reports for the daily financial operation to a production manager. At times, the U.P.M. will look for locations as well and help with planning. When considering film crew positions, it is important to factor the UPM into the equation.
Line Producer
The line producer stays on top of the budget. They control things like the starâs payment and also daily expenses that come up with things like gear rentals and more. The production manager also shares his or her expenses to the line producer.
The production manager (P.M.) does business deals with crews and also sets up things that have to do with the technical aspect of production. This often includes getting the right gear for the project and taking care of lodging for cast and crew.
The director takes on the creative part of the project, which typically involves hiring the cast, making sure the locations are ideal, and will also handle the planning of shots before the actual filming begins. During the shooting, the director will make sure that the crew and actors are doing their job right and will make sure that the movie is on time and budget. Oftentimes, the producer hires the directorâunless they are the director.
The assistant director (A.D., or First A.D. in larger productions) is there to make the whole process more effective. The A.D. helps prepare for shooting by separating the script into sections that can be shot in a single day, which helps to make the whole process run smoothly. During filming, the A.D. helps to act as a sort of manager for the project. They help to line up the best shots and keep things quiet during filming, as well as handle the extras that the film may call for. The assistant director tends to be a part of the Directorsâ Guild of America.
The second assistant director (second A.D.) works between the production manager and the first assistant director. The second A.D. handles things like call sheets, paperwork, scheduling, and actorsâ timesheets and production reports. This person also helps the First A.D. with crowd control and extras.
Continuity Person
The continuity person makes sure embarrassing things donât show up in the final film, such as actors wearing a piece of clothing that doesnât show up in another shot in the same scene. They make sure to log how many times the scene is filmed, the length, and the actors that are in the shot, as well as where theyâre standing, and any other important detailsâlike the disappearing piece of clothing.
The cinematographer, or director of photography (D.P./D.O.P.), helps with the feel and look of the film. The D.P. takes care of the lighting for every scene, helps to frame shots, picks the lenses, selects film stock, and makes sure that the final look is in line with the directorâs artistic perspective. The cinematographer usually does not actually use the camera (this role belongs to the camera operator). What are the roles in a film crew? One of them will definitely be a cinematographer.
The gaffer is the top electrician on a set and takes care of the lighting according to what the cinematographer needs.
The camera operator is a part of the actual camera crew and uses the camera as requested by the director and cinematographer. The camera operator gets the action in frame and responds to the action as it progresses.
Typically, there will be a first and second assistant cameraman. The first assistant cameraman stays on top of camera maintenance. He or she changes lenses, maintains focus during filming, spots where the actors should stand, and measures the distance between camera and subject. They also fill out reports and take care of loading and unloading of the camera magazines with film.
Film Loader
The film loader also helps with loading and unloading the cameraâs film magazines. The film loader will also be responsible for the room where theyâre kept to ensure quality and a clean environment.
A Steadicam is a frame that helps the Steadicam operator to hold the camera steady. It allows them to capture the action without shaky motion (typically what youâd see in a cheap film using hand-held cameras). They need top training and also need to be strong and energetic.
The production sound mixer (or recordist) captures sound during the shooting process. Theyâll make sure to mix the soundtracks to the filmâs composite soundtrack, which is then included in the film with magnetic or optical stripe.
The boom operator is a sound crew member who handles the microphone boom, a long pole that holds the microphone near the action but out of frame, allowing the microphone to follow the actors as they move.
The key grip is the chief grip during production. Grips can help with the creation of shadow effects and also use lights and operate camera cranes, dollies, and platforms as requested by the cinematographer.
Dolly Grip
The dolly grip controls the dolly track while using the dolly along that track. The dolly is a cart that the camera, and at times crew, sit on. It makes it easy to move the camera from spot to spot for smooth results.
A crew will have two best boy positions â the best boy/electric and the best boy/grip â who work under the gaffer and key grip. The best boy/grip works over the other grips and grip equipment. The best boy/electric supervises electricians and the electrical gear.
The stunt coordinator will make sure that professional stunt people are on board to take care of the challenging stuff that makes a movie exciting. They make sure to follow safety regulations and that all the right safety gear is on place during action. Â
The visual effects directorâs position changes depending on the actual needs of the production experience. At times, the visual effects director supervises the effects on set. Other times, they may supervise other things that have to do with the teams working away from the setâsuch as with set technicians.
FX is a film industry term for special effects. The job of the FX coordinator changes from project to project. Special effects range from in-depth animation like helping a character fly to simple on-set logistics like a shower being turned on.
The property master stays on top of everything having to do with essential props for a scene. A prop is a moveable item that must be used in a scene.
The Leadman works under the set designer and leads the swing gang (the people who set up and take down the set) as well as the set dressing department.
The set dresser handles everything on set that doesnât have to do with the prop that is a must for a scene. They take care of items like curtains, artwork, dishes, and more, to ensure the environment looks realistic.
Costumer
The costumer handles the costumes on set so that they are clean and on par with whatâs needed on set. They also make sure that the right cast members get the costume that corresponds to their character.
Make-up Artist
The make-up artist is a licensed professional that can apply make-up to the talent (above the chest to the top of the head and from the tips of the fingers to the elbow). (Also see body make-up artist.)
The union rules determine that a body make-up artist apply any make-up below the actorâs breastbone, or above the elbow (Also see make-up artist).
Hairdresser
The hairdresser is someone who can cut, style, and color the castsâ hair as needed in production. They can also style wigs and cut them when necessary. They typically have the gear on hand and rent it to the production project as needed on a weekly basis.
Sometimes referred to the runner on set, the production assistant (P.A.) stays on top of small yet important details pertaining to production.
The production office coordinator (P.O.C.) takes care of the productionâs office duties, and when the production is on location, they stay back. Theyâll take on the tasks of paperwork, crew coordination, and taking phone calls. The P.O.C. also makes sure that new versions of the script are available as edits are made. When determining film crew positions, a P.O.C will definitely have the answer.Â
The unit publicist makes sure the media knows about production by sending out press releases, setting up interviews of cast and crew, lining up on-set visits, and preparing media kits, which often include publicity pictures, visuals, audio clips and plot summaries.
The second unit director heads the second unit â this is another crew in production that is used to shoot scenes or sequences that donât require the main actors. From shots at unique locations to special effects or scenes that donât make a world of difference to the plot, the second unit director will make sure theyâre done right. Â
The production caterer is responsible for meals during production, especially for on-location shoots. The caterer makes sure that what is served is according to the needs of those on set, such as the cast, crew, and theyâll often make sure the star gets the special stuff they request.
A day player is an actor that may only have a few lines or scenes. Theyâll be hired on a daily basis, as needed. They must be told when they are finished at the end of a day of work, or theyâll be needed for the next day of filming.
Craft Services
This person handles stuff like coffee, drinks, and snacks for the cast and crew on set. They also take care of different chores.
Background
Non-speaking extras seen in a sceneâs background or known as background.
The transportation coordinator is responsible for making sure that the actors, crew, and equipment can get to the location where the team will be shooting on a daily basis. They coordinate whatever is needed, from semis to limos.
There are other production crew members, but this list includes some of the most prominent.
Post-production crew members
Post-Production Supervisor
The post-production supervisor handles the final aspect of the film once shooting ends. He or she will be at editing sessions, take care of quality control, and coordinate audio mixing, computer graphics, and other technical aspects.
The color timer works hand-in-hand with the cinematographer. They work in the lab to correct and balance the color of the film to the directorâs vision for how they want the scenes to look.
The negative cutter handles the negatives so that it matches the final cut of the movie, as is determined by the editor, producer, studio, or director. The final prints of the film will be made from this negative.
The foley artist comes up with the sounds that are not captured during the shoot. This often covers things like thunder, doors creaking, or even the sound of a bar-room fight, such as punches thrown or sudden thuds.
ADR stands for automatic dialogue replacement. This is when actors are called back during the post-production process to re-record dialogue that wasnât done right during filming. The editor will handle this part of the process so that audio matches visuals. Â
Music Mixer
The music mixer handles the final soundtrack of the movie. The music mixer carefully works their magic to balance and mix the filmâs musical score to effortlessly blend with the dialogue.
The matte artist is a part of the special effects department. They have the talent to create locations that donât exist. They construct backgrounds, either using traditional methods or on a computer, that blend with the live-action on an actual set.
Editor
The editor works closely with the director in editing the film. The director has the primary say in editing decisions, but the editor often has a lot of input to provide when it comes to the creative decisions that are made with the final cut of the film. The editor will often get started while the film is being shot and puts together the preliminary cuts from daily footage. Increasingly, editors do their âthingâ through computer editing consoles without ever having to touch the actual film. When pondering what film crew positions are, the final product wouldnât be possible without an editor. Popular software includes Adobe premier, AVID, and final cut pro.
Here are a few more notable positions:
There are other film production crew members, but this list includes some of the most prominent.
