Essential Crew Positions for Motion Picture Production
Screenwriter – The person who writes the screenplay, which is either an original idea or an adaptation of an existing property. Not typically involved during the production or post-production phases of the project.
Director – The person in charge of interpreting the story and characters from the screenplay. Generally turns the written words into selected shots. Works with actors to achieve desired characterizations. Collaborates with many other members of the production and post-production teams.
Director of Photography/Cinematographer (DP or DOP) – The person in charge of creating the overall “look” of the film. Chief member of the camera department. Works with director to select the shots. Creates the lighting scheme for each set-up. Collaborates with Electric, Grip and Art department heads. Often consults on color correction and grading during post-production.
Art Director – The person in charge of the design and construction of the film sets. Collaborates closely with the director, DP, Gaffer and Carpentry team.
Gaffer – The person in charge of the Electrical department. In consultation with the DP, chooses and sets the lighting fixtures that illuminate the film’s sets or locations. Responsible for achieving the desired look and levels of light for exposure.
Key Grip – The person in charge of the grips. Works closely with the DP and Gaffer to get the necessary support equipment (for camera and lighting) placed for each shot.
Camera Operator – The person in charge of running the camera. Responsible for ensuring proper framing and double-checking focus during a shot. Sometimes starts and stops the recording process of the camera as well.
Camera Assistant – The person responsible for all camera equipment (bodies, lenses, accessories, batteries, media, etc.). Ensures that everything is clean, cabled, and running correctly. During the take, usually follows focus. Also, often, the keeper of the camera report and logs.
Sound Mixer – The person in charge of running any audio recording equipment on set. Maintains good levels of sound during recording. Coordinates best microphone placement with the set Boom Operator.
Boom Operator – The person in charge of holding or rigging a microphone from a boom pole (telescoping rod that supports the sensitive microphone suspended over the actors as they speak).
Grip – Member of the Grip department. Grips have many responsibilities and are capable of performing many tasks on a film set that involve moving and supporting things.
Dolly Grip – A Grip specifically assigned to build, maintain, and move the camera dolly around the film set. May set up and level any tracks or rail needed for the dolly move.
Electric – Member of the Lighting department. Responsible for running the power lines of electricity to all departments on a film set. Hoists, strikes, angles the film lights on set.
Assistant Director – The person on the crew responsible for setting and maintaining the production schedule. The A.D. will verify with all departments that they are ready for a take, call the actors to set for the Director, and call the roll to begin the recording process for a take.
Editor – The person, during post-production, responsible for editing picture and sound elements into the final story that will be experienced by the audience.