Producer
Responsible for putting the project together and finding the financing. Usually the first one there and last to leave.
Associate Producer
Someone who contributes something important, such as financing or a star actor.
Director
Captain of the ship, makes all the creative elements come together.
Assistant Director (AD)
Basically an assistant to the director. Jobs include script breakdown, relaying director’s instruction to cast and crew, working with extras, making call sheets, working with actors, making sure the director doesn’t screw up. This person is the director’s right hand man or woman.
Second Assistant Director (Second AD)
Assistant to AD. This person is in charge of a bit of paperwork and is in charge of making the AD and director’s jobs easier. Works with extras, call sheets, talent releases, checks everyone in and out, crowd control.
Production Accountant
The person responsible for managing finances during the production.
Line Producer
This person works with the budget, tries to get good deals on equipment, catering, locations, props, etc. It is an art form; must be good with budgets and numbers. Must be highly organized, accountants great.
Unit Production Manager (UPM)
Works with the line producer.
Script Supervisor/Continuity Person
People who are really good at those games where you figure out how two pictures are different. This person knows the script like the back of their hand. Has to watch hair, wardrobe, props, set, extras, action, etc. Uses the Polaroid to remember from shot to shot. Helps actors with lines, takes LOTS of scene notes to help in post-production, such as lenses and frame sizes.
Director of Photography (DP)
The cinematographer. Helps director “see” the film the way desired, offers suggestions for angles, etc.
Camera/Clapper Loader
The person who operates the clapboard at the beginning of a shot
Gaffer
Works with the DP to make sure lighting and mood work together.
Best Boy
Can be a man or woman, in spite of the name. Works with the gaffer, runs extension cords, makes sure everything is plugged in correctly.
Grip
The manpower of the set. A grip moves equipment, lights, dolly, etc.
Sound Mixer
A good one requires that little to no dialogue is re-recorded in post-production. A bad one has a lot of sound re-recorded. Is responsible for recorded dialogue on set.
Boom Person
Holds the boom pole at the best angle to record sound without letting the boom mic creep into the shot. Requires strong arms.
Prop Master
In charge of props. This person is organized and detail oriented, enjoys making lists.
Wardrobe Person
Selects wardrobe for each actor, keeps track of the different pieces of the wardrobe, makes sure they are clean, checks items in and out, watches for continuity.
Make-Up Team
Knows how to work with different skin tones, remove dark circles or blotchiness. Works with actors.
Production Assistant
See gopher.
Gopher
These are potentially the most necessary people on the set. They go-pher things, from coffee to a prop to picking up an actor and back again. They can also be assistants to specific people.
Music Supervisor
A person who researches, obtains rights to, and supplies songs for a production/coordinates with the composer.
Composer
This person scores music to go with the film.
Picture Editor
Knows about post-production work or is willing to learn,
Casting Director
Finds good actors to fill the roles, knows the script well.
Location Scout
Finds the perfect places to shoot, knows the script well.
Production Designer
Designs the overall look of the set and film.
Post Production Coordinator
Coordinates the completion of the film, oversees the post-production editing schedule
Still Photographer
Someone with an eye for promotions. Takes still shots of actors, directors, scenes to be used in post production for advertising, flyers, posters, magazine articles, press releases, etc.’
Publicity Director
Person employed by a studio to conceive and oversee the publicity campaign that opens a movie.
Publicity Team
Under the publicity director, this team puts together the stills taken and other elements to create an advertising campaign for the film during post-production. They may also be used for distribution elements.
Caterers
Make the food. Necessary element in any filming.
Distributor
The organization distributes the finished movie to exhibitors; is in charge of videos, laserdiscs and other media versions of movies.
Focus Group
A group of about 10 members of the public unrelated to a movie's production who attend a sneak preview. The group is questioned by the filmmakers after the screening, and their opinions are considered in any further editing that occurs before the premiere.