Professional Toolkit : Studio Shoot Job Roles Research (Group A)

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After the finalisation of roles in the group I decided to do some research on what each job entails and how they work with each other to form a team. This post is an insight to do with everyone else's role in the group to assist me with understanding my own place in the production as assistant director. I plan to do another more in depth post on my own role.

Director (Thomas)

The director of a film is the main driving creative force, acting as a crucial link between the technical, production and creative teams. They act as a story teller and team leader to bring the production to life, creatively translating the script into actual sounds and images on screen as well as bringing their own style and structure. In post production, the director and editor work closely together through the technical processes of editing to reach a final cut of the film. Generally, it is thought that directors are ultimately responsible for a film's artistic and commercial success or failure. They also have to understand and appreciate the film's financial side. 

Jobs
  • May write the film's script/ commission it to be written (or alternatively can be hired after a draft script is complete)
  • Develop a vision for the finished film
  • Design a practical route to achieve what they want
  • Select right cast, crew and locations
  • Direct rehearsals and performances during production
  • Manage technical aspects of filming (e.g. camera, sound, lighting)
  • Help editor create final cut of film
Skills
  • Have exceptional artistic vision and creative skills
  • Commitment to carry through with the process
  • A deep passion for film making
  • Be a strong, confident leader
  • Capacity for long work hours, attention to detail
  • Remaining calm and thinking clearly under pressure
  • Self belief and determination 
Producer (Julia)

A producer follows the project through right from the beginning to the end of production. Generally they are considered chief of staff, while the director is in charge of the line. This means they have overall control and can even terminate the director if things are not working. Basically while a director actually makes the film itself, the producer authors it and does the work in able to make it happen. 

Jobs
  • Initiates, co-ordinates, supervises and controls all aspects of productions
  • Hires the director and crew
  • Manages film through production
  • Raises money for the film to be made
  • Looks out for material
Cinematographer (Rob)

This term generally refers to the director of photography, but can also be in relation to camera operator. A cinematographer brings the story to life visually by working with the film's director to capture the underlying story in a way that will captivate the audience. 

Jobs
  • Discusses director's vision scene by scene
  • Determines what is needed for each scene within budget
  • Hires camera crew 
  • Arranges equipment 
  • Buys film and supplies
  • Works with sound and lighting to co-ordinate production needs
  • Co-ordinates crew 
  • (On set) Makes sure each shot is set up to match the director's vision
  • Decides best combination of cameras, lenses and filters
  • Works with processing lab to make sure film retains colour and mood
  • Is a critical eye
Skills
  • Having a good artistic eye for photography
  • Knowing technical basis of photography
  • Being able to collaborate with a director
  • Flexibility and problem solving skills
  • Being able to keep up with the ever changing advances in technology

Production Designer (Lucy)

Production designers are responsible for the entire art department. They help directors achieve the visual requirements of the film, providing producers with calculated schedules offering viable ways of making the film within the required budget. Constructing an appropriate backdrop and finding appropriate locations is all a major part of the job. 

Jobs
  • Responsible for informing and realising the director's vision
  • Have to prepare detailed drawings and specifications
  • May be asked to look at scripts before production begins to estimate the amount going to be spent on art department
  • Assess visual qualities to create atmosphere and bring story to life
  • Discuss with director the best way to shoot film (sets or location)
  • Intense research into design
  • Check on construction and dressing of sets
Production Design Assistant (Joel)

As the name suggests, the production design assistant is a right hand man to the production designer. They take on roles to assist the head of design complete the job, as well as help with budgeting, preparing and construction of the set/ location.

Sound (Ulysses)

Sound designers provide required sounds to accompany the screen action. They do this by creating original sound elements, working with the director, production mixer, sound supervisor and editor. They can supervise the work of the entire sound post production as well as having a role in creating the sound during production. 

Skills
  • Good communication 
  • Imagination and creative flair to produce original sound
  • Ability to accept direction and work well with others
  • Good understanding of acoustics and knowledge of sound recording and digital editing techniques
  • Enthusiastic - spent personal time experimenting with sound
Grips (Lydia)

Jobs
  • Responsibility to build and maintain equipment that supports camera
  • Push, pull, mount or hang equipment
  • Ensure that the artifice of film is maintained and camera moves are as seemless as possible
  • Work with director and DOP to ensure positioning / movement is achievable
  • Responsible for pushing the dolly
Screenwriter (Dowan)

Jobs
  • Come up with ideas and themes
  • Research background information 
  • Develop believable plots and characters
  • Lay out the screenplay to an agreed format
  • Prepare short summaries of ideas and selling them to producers / development executives 
  • Obtain feedback on a first draft
  • Rewrite the script for the required needs
Script Supervisor / Continuity (Mollie)

Jobs
  • Continuity of storyline
  • Recording and assessing all information regarding the screenplay and scenes that have already been shot
  • Knowing if there is a need for any additional coverage or re-shoot or link shot
  • Make definitive technical decisions in a crisis / when in doubt
Camera Operator (Harry)

Jobs
  • Adjusting camera settings, lights and lens
  • Being prepared to innovate and experiment with ideas
  • Taking instructions from director of photography
  • Taking sole responsibility in situations where there is only one camera operator
  • Keeping up to date with filming methods and equipment
  • Repair of equipment 
  • Interacting and maintaining good working relationships with actors and camera crew members (technicians etc)
Casting Director

Casting Directors organize and facilitate the casting of actors for all the roles in a film. This involves working closely with the director and producer to understand their requirements, and suggesting ideal artists for each role, as well as arranging and conducting interviews and auditions. 

Jobs
  • Organise and facilitate the casting of actors
  • Assist director and producer to assemble the perfect cast
  • Responsible for matching the ideal actor to each role based on a number of factors
  • Arranging and conducting interviews and auditions 
Skills
  • Good communication and organisational skills
  • Ability to give direction
  • Being able to recognise talent
  • Good with attention to detail
  • Good memory 




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Lauren Fox
Third year at UCA studying Digital Film and Screen Arts
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