An abridged list of film crew positions:
• Executive producer. Directly responsible to the studio or network for the entire look, cost and effective running of the project; co-ordinates film production from financing to sales.
• Line producer. In charge of business aspects and may share in artistic decisions, also known to be troubleshooters.
• Director. In charge of creative aspects; interprets script, directs action.
• 1st assistant director creates schedule, in charge of running the set.
• 2nd assistant director responsible for everyone on the crew knowing their call time and location; organizes work for the next day by way of call sheet.
• 3rd assistant director oversees performers’ preparation for set, responsible
for time sheets; assists on set.
• Production manager. In charge of day-to-day financial aspects of the production, preparing budgets and schedules, hiring technical crew.
• Trainee assistant director. Performs such work as is within their capabilities which is customarily performed by ADs.
• Location manager. Responsible for finding and securing all appropriate locations or facilities for shooting and acquiring required permits.
• Assistant location manager. Liaison between production firm and community, neighbourhood or location owner.
• Location scout. Seeks out, photographs appropriate locations, liaises with government agencies.
• Production assistant. Provides assistance on set or in production office.
• Director of photography. Responsible for film’s overall look, lighting, camera placement and movement.
• Camera operator. Responsible for framing and composition of shots.
• 1st camera assistant (focus puller). Makes sure subject is in focus.
• 2nd camera assistant (clapper / loader). Responsible for film stock, ordering all camera equipment, additional crewing in department.
• Digital imaging technician. Reports to director of photography, responsible for electronic camera system, viewing system, managing the data flow.
• Stills photographer. Reports to producer, takes still photographs of film sets or studio shoots that are used to create press and publicity for films.
• Production designer. In charge of all visual elements to ensure continuity of design through production; coordinates artistic elements including sets, costumes, props, make-up and hair, working with key department heads.
• Art director. Designs, supervises construction of all sets and scenery; oversees painting and dressing of all sets.
• Set decorator. Responsible for research, acquisition, allocation of items required to dress set.
• Costume designer. Responsible for researching, creating or obtaining appropriate costumes.
• Key hairstylist. In charge of hair styling for each character, maintaining their look, continuity.
• Key make-up artist. Gives each performer their particular make-up look.
• Property master. Researches, obtains or builds all items a performer picks up and uses.
• Gaffer. Chief lighting technician.
• Lamp operators/electricians. Light technicians, working under the gaffer.
• Key grip. Delegates tasks, supervises grip crew responsible for setting up, striking, staging and rigging scenery equipment, scenery pieces, platforms, scaffolding, tenting, dollies.
• Dolly grip. Moves camera dolly for certain kinds of tracking shots.
• Head greens person. Responsible for location requirements related to shrubs, foliage, ground covers.
• Set dresser. Assists set decorator by arranging, placing items and set pieces.
• Costume set supervisor. Responsible for costume continuity, assists in dressing and care of performers and the costumes.
• Special effects makeup. Designs and devises construction and application of facial or body prosthetics, body parts such as hair or teeth and/or any other specialized make-up.
• Script supervisor. Keeps track of everything that happens in the shot, responsible for logging material shot and ensuring consistency of multiple takes covering the same action.
• Sound mixer. Records sound for each scene and mixes levels for each take.
• Boom operator. Handles sound boom, a long extendible rod with a microphone attached.
• Special effects (SFX). Provides visual effects needed on the set such as rain, fog, smoke, wind, steam, snow, explosions and fire.
• First aid/craft service. Provides on-set first aid and medical attention; serves light refreshments.
• Transportation co-ordinator. Responsible for all vehicles used on productions (positions include: transportation co-ordinator, captain, co-captain and drivers), acquiring and maintaining picture cars and vehicles.
• Catering. Provides meals for crew.
• Production co-ordinator. Heads production office staff. Responsible for all travel and accommodation for out-of-town personnel and for distributing all script and schedule changes to crew.
• Production accountant. Responsible for paying bills and maintaining financial records.
• Casting director. Responsible for finding performers required for the film, organizing auditions.
