It takes a lot of work to get a movie from script to screen. There are plenty production roles and on set crew members responsible for bringing the elements of a film shoot together. Here are some roles in a film production that you might see when you’re on set.
Camera Operator
While filming, the camera operator is the person who physically controls and moves the camera. They work with the director of photography to ensure each shot meets the director’s vision. Stand-Ins work closely with the director of photography, camera operator, and assistant cameras. If you’re booked as a Stand-In, it’s a good idea to get to know the camera crew on set.
Grips
A grip is a technician on a production crew who is responsible for building and maintaining camera and lighting set-ups. They assemble and build the dollies, tracks, cranes, and other equipment needed to film a shot. There are different kinds of grips, including the key grip who is the head of set operations and dolly grips who operate camera dollies and cranes.
Gaffer
The gaffer is the lead technician of a production crew and is responsible for all the lighting set-ups for filming. While the director of photography is in charge of creating the project’s overall aesthetic, the gaffer finds a way to make their vision a reality.
Boom Operator
As part of the sound department, the main responsibility of the boom operator is to hold the boom mic (a long pole with a microphone attached) near the actors, but out of view of the camera. When needed, they also place microphones on the actors or around the set.
Production Designer
The production designer’s job is to create the overall visual aesthetic of a TV show or movie, including the set designs and costumes. They work with the director and DP to visualized the desired look of the production.
Script Supervisor
It’s the script supervisor’s job to maintain the continuity of the production. They take notes on every shot, keeping track of blocking, props used, and other details to make sure everything is the same from shot to shot. If there are inconsistencies, the script supervisor will tell the director so they can reshoot the scenes.
