Film Roles

We’re all part of a community, a big family here in Davis County, but what kind of people does it really take to make a movie? In an effort to break down the crew members to make a movie we’ve created this page. Read about the different positions to see if you are eligible to fill one the spots or to just learn more.

STORY DEPARTMENT

Screen Writers – These people are the creators of the story, the most important driving element of the whole film. The screenplay writers write the script in screenplay format.
Storyboard Artist – Storyboard artists create the art to go along with the screenplay. This helps everyone involved see what kind of shots the director is envisioning.

LEADERSHIP & LOGISTICS

Producers – More or less the producers coordinate the business side of the movie. They coordinate who works on the project, how the finances are raised, where the film is distributed, etc.
Directors – This person is completely in charge of the creative side of the movie. The feel, the tone, the story, etc. The director obviously also directs the actors and actresses.
Assistant Directors – These people make sure the director stays on schedule and runs the day-to-day affairs of the cast and crew. They are in charge of overseeing use of equipment, making sure nothing in the script is being skipped over. Assistant directors may also direct background action or less significant scenes. The 1st Assistant is usually the one who yells “Quiet on the Set” and the 2nd Assistant usually manages the incredible mass of paper work that is generated in the film. They can be responsible for making up Call sheets.
Production Coordinator – Organizes logistics of the project. They call and schedule locations, rent equipment, hands out and/or e-mails call sheets, etc.
Line Producer – This person is responsible for overseeing the production budget. They also work closely with the director and production team on day-to-day production affairs.
Unit Production Manager – They gather all of the information required to get the necessary elements in place. They sometimes order the strip board. They are the person who orders the trucks and hires the crew. A good Unit production manager usually has a huge rolladex of crew names and numbers.
Script Supervisor – Makes sure everything in the script matches up. If we need to film scene three, six, and fourteen in one day at the same location then the actors clothes need to change and the background may need to change as well. The script supervisor takes careful note of what changes and what doesn’t from scene to scene to ensure continuity.
Production Assistants (PA) – Usually are the busy bees with the Walky Talkies working under the direction of the Production Manager. They can help in various departments with general tasks to assist on dat-to-day activities. On set they can be responsible for making up and distributing calls sheets.
Location Manager – Seeks out, negotiates, maintains, cleans, and handles all of the safety and paperwork needed for filming locations.
Craft Services – These people provide food and drink to fuel the cast and crew.

CAMERA DEPARTMENT

Director of Photography (DP) – The main person in charge of cameras, framing, lighting. The DP has a huge affect over the feel and tone of the film and works closely with the director to match his/her vision of the piece.
Camera Operator– Is the person who sits behind the camera and points it towards the action. because they can see what’s actually being shot they have authority to ask for another take if some things didn’t go right. On small sets, usually this role is played by the DP.
First Assistant Camera – is usually the guy/gal who keep the camera clean and focused. They supervise the camera crew, and they can be known to be in charge of changing lenses, building camera rigs, keeping anything camera organized and clean at the end of each shoot.
Second Assistant Camera– can be called the “loader” is mostly responsible for the film stock and or Data Cards, they handle paperwork, they also handle equipment, and usually are the ones who run the clapperboard or slate at the beginning of each scene

Key Grip – They are the main guys who are responsible for moving the camera around. They work directly with the Director of Photography and manage and direct the grip team and equipment. They go on Tech location scouts and with the DP make a list of what they are going to need. They prep, order the equipment needed for the location and transport it there They design rigs to mount cameras on cars, up ladders, from the ceiling, and what not. They can also help the gaffer by setting up all diffusion, scrims, reflectors, etc. On some sets the Key grip can be asked to be the “Safety Monitor” as well.
Grips – Help to set things up. Grips can help the production designer, gaffer, or other groups to set things up and take things down. Heavy lifting can be involved.
Dolly Grips – Helps to set up dolly tracks, push the camera and helps the DP with the movement of the camera.
Data Wrangler or Digital Ingest Technician (DIT) – Oversees all media ingest, making sure it works properly, and is ready for post production (editing).

LIGHTING DEPARTMENT

Gaffer – In charge of lighting. The gaffer works closely with the DP to paint the mood. The gaffer is sometimes called the Key Electrician and If there are a lot of lights there can be a lot of power drained. An electrician can be helpful to make sure the power won’t go out. They are responsible for “pre-rigging” a shot before the DP or director come in and make last changes. They operate the lights during the shot and are also responsible for breaking it all down.
Best Boy – The assistant to the Gaffer. The Best Boy helps to set up and take down lighting and is in charge of keeping track of which lights have been used. They basically handle anything that has to do with the lights, cables, cranes, generators, lighting filters, and crew.

AUDIO DEPARTMENT

Location Sound Mixer – In charge of all production sound being recorded. This person oversees the use of all microphones and recording devices.
Boom Operators – Operate the microphones and assist the sound mixer.
Film Composer – Writes the music for the piece. Original songs from bands can also be used.
Music Supervisor–
Sound Mixer – Oversees post production sound.

ART DEPARTMENT

Art Director / Production Designer – Works closely with the director as Key personnel to design is the overall look of a film that illustrates the setting and visual style of the story. It includes the design of the sets, location choices, costumes, and the choice and supervision of props.
Prop Master – In charge of getting all props for the piece. This person works closely with the production designer, wardrobe person, and director to ensure the correct props are used. They also keep track of which props are used in which scenes to ensure continuity.
Wardrobe – Purchases, makes, or selects wardrobe. This person also needs to keep track of which wardrobes are used in each scene to ensure continuity.
Make-up Artist – These people are in charge of hair and make-up for the actors and accesses. This person also needs to keep track of which hairstyles and make-up are used in each scene to ensure continuity.
Set Dressers – Helps the production designer build, dress, and take down the sets at each location.

POST PRODUCTION

Editors – Good editing makes the film look well-directed. Great editing makes the film look like it wasn’t directed at all.
Assistant Editor –
Visual FX Supervisor –
Visual Effects Editor – The visual effects editor uses professional visual effects software to create the titles and visual effects for the piece.

MARKETING DEPARTMENT

Publicist (Promotion) – Creates press releases, notifies important news groups or social media contributors of important events. This person generally oversees the promotion of the film.
Set Photographer – Takes pictures of the actors, landscape, and set of each location to be used for promotional purposes later.
Graphic Designer – Uses the photographer’s images and edits them to match the feel of the film to create promotional material including online promotion.

TALENT DEPARTMENT

Casting Director – Based on the Director’s vision the casting director’s provide the best actor options needed to cast the film. They have great relationships with Agency’s and Actors and usually weed through the crap to get the director the best of the best to be brought into audition.
Agents – They represent the Actors, Make sure the actors are treated fairly and are paid what they are worth. They also help casting directors find what they need from their database of actors.
Actors – The players in a Movie who deliver the lines that are written on the script bringing character, backstory, and life to each line making each scene a little bit deeper than your regular dialogue exchange.
- Starring Role- refers to the main actor with them big credits. The actor who performs the role the story is actually about.
- Supporting Role- falls somewhat short of the starring role. It can range from one line to several lengthy scenes
- Featured Role- Refers to an actor with a small speaking role i.e. a Waiter who enters a scene and ask “May i take Your Order?”
- Extra- A person who is in the background of the film helping create atmosphere. They do not have a speaking role.
- Voice Over- Usually is an actor that’s voice is used and they don’t appear on Camera.