What is Principal Photography in Film Production Like?

As an aspiring filmmaker, you’ve certainly heard many terms representative of the industry. And no doubt have found yourself wondering what at least a few of them actually mean. Like the term “principal photography in film production”. Or terms like “1st AD” and the various other lingo in common use behind-the-scenes of the film set. Perhaps you realize that principal photography in film production represents one of the most important stages of production. During which scenes are filming and most of the shooting for the project takes place. But what’s it like? 

As we examine the role of principal photography in film production and what it means for the rest of the crew, we also examine the role principal photography has in the various stages of filmmaking and film production. 

There is an importance of hyper-focused principal photography to ensure a productive, and successful, film shoot.

What is Principal Photography?

Principal photography in film production represents the second phase of production when the shooting of various scenes takes place. It’s not the entire phase of production, which includes b-roll filming and various other tasks.

But principal photography is one of several phases that takes place during the second-phase of filmmaking – production. During principal photography the raw footage for most of the scenes is filmed.

This includes, primarily, scenes that involve the lead actors but does not include other shooting that may take place during the production phase such as the filming of b-roll footage, re-shoots or certain visual effects shots (VFX). 

Who’s Involved in Principal Photography in Film Production?

To help you better understand principal photography in film production, let’s take a look at a rundown of who’s on the set during this phase of filmmaking.

While there are very distinct phases of filmmaking in which different members of the film crew and cast are onset and heavily involved, there are also some overlapping elements at times. 

Because principal photography is when the basis of most shoots will be underway, there’s likely to be a rather large group of cast, and crew, on-site during this time. Depending on the size of the project, the principal photography crew could be quite large.

Expect the following departments and crew members to be present:

• Art department including the production designer, art director, prop master and set director.
•  
• Camera and Lighting crews including lead camera, 1st AC, 2nd AC, grips, gaffer, best boy, and camera operators.
•  
• Editorial crew including the on-set editor, digital imaging technician and video assistant. 
•  
• Director and 1st AD, 2nd AD, Script supervisor.
•  
• Costume, hair and makeup artists as well as costume designers and make-up designers for special effects.
•  
• Locations crew including the scout, manager, transportation coordinator and drivers.
•  
• Food caterers and craft services.
•  
• Sound crew including a mixer and boom operator. 
•  
• Production crew including line producer, production assistants, unit production manager, and individual producers.
•  
• Special effects crew including coordinator and VFX supervisor and support.
•  
• Stunt crew including a choreographer, stunt performers, and stunt coordinators.

Different Size Productions Different Needs

Naturally smaller productions may not have all of these positions on-site the day or days of principal photography in film production, but for larger, more complex productions things can get rather busy with a lot of working hands on deck.

Keep in mind also that this list is devoid of any actors or cast that participate in the shoots, too. It can certainly get busy.