Film / TV Job Descriptions
There are a multitude of opportunities but getting that first shot at a job that gets you into the industry
is key in Filmmaking. Here is set of definitions of Jobs and Careers in Filmaking
Courtesy of Get Into Hollywood.comLiterary Agent:
The group of people responsible for helping creative talent obtain employment. This talent usually includes: actors, writers, directors & producers. They pitch their clients to show runners and studio executives in hopes of securing them a job. They also negotiate contracts and nurture the career of their clientele.
Executive Producer:
This person is hired by a studio to help manage every aspect of a television show. The executive
producer is the highest level of producer on a given show. This person is usually a writer, but can also
be a non-writing producer. In television, this individual is often the series creator. Essentially all of theproducers, directors and actors answer to the executive producer.
Show Runner:
A writing executive producer who is in charge of the creative direction of a show. This person hires the writing team, signs off on all aspects of the storylines and scripts, and signs off all decisions regarding the look of the show; including wardrobe, set dressing, props and art direction.
Teleplay Writer:
A writer who is given an outline of an episode and is required to turn that outline into a script. They
also create characters, dialogue, dramatic situations, and written aspects of a TV series.
Director:
The director is the head of the production unit and is responsible for directing the actors and for
translating the teleplay into cinematic images in accordance with his/her vision. Not only must they
establish a good relationship with their actors, they must also understand all technical issues
regarding television.
Producer:
A producer is hired by both the Executive Producer and the Studio. This person is the liaison between
these two entities. They are responsible for all financial aspects of the television show. They are also
very instrumental in hiring and managing all below-the-line crew members. It is their responsibility for keeping the show on budget.
Associate Producer/Production:
The Associate Producer helps the producer with all “line” aspects of the production. They deal with
scheduling the production, hiring crew and ordering all equipment for the show.
Associate Producer/Post:
This person is also known as the “Post” producer. They are responsible for all aspects of post
production, including picture editing, music scoring, title session, final color correction, all audio
editing and final audio mixing.
Production Coordinator:
This person is responsible for setting up and organizing the production and writer offices; acts as
liaison between the production office and the set, and prioritizing information for expeditious handling the producer and production manager and/or associate producer.
Unit Production Manager/UPM:
The UPM is hired by the producer to coordinate and supervise all administrative, financial, and
technical details of television production. This individual assists the producer in hiring the crew and
makes all the first contacts for dates, locations, and fees. During production, he or she approves
changes in scheduling and the budget, serves as intermediary between the producer/management and crew, and oversees the activities of the entire crew.
Production Accountant:
Individual responsible for keeping track of all financial costs and transactions incurred in the making
of a television show. Works closely with the UPM in preparing preliminary budgets and monitors the
budgetary status of the production. Generates a “hot cost” report that outlines where an episode is
financially on a daily basis.
First Assistant Director/1st AD:
Responsible for maintaining order and discipline on the set, keeping production moving to meet
scheduling goals, establishing the crew and shooting calls, and oversees the selection and
management of the extras. This person runs the set and is responsible for keeping the director on
course with the production day.
Second Assistant Director/2nd AD:
Responsible to the 1st AD for preparing and distributing the daily paperwork, call sheets, production
reports, SAG contracts, etc. This individual sees to it that the cast and crew is in the right place at the
right time, maintains the schedule for each shooting day, and selects positions and directs movement
of the extras.
Second Second Assistant Director/2nd 2nd AD:
This person assists the 1st and 2nd A.D. in running the set. Their main job is the manage the extras and
to establish with the director the movement and action of the extras.
Script Supervisor:
Maintains an accurate shooting script and recording in detail all information related to each take,
including length of shot, scene and take number, camera placement, and printable takes, as well as
any notations on dialogue, action, props, set dressing, wardrobe, make-up, and hair in order to provide continuity during shooting and to facilitate editing.
Production Assistant:
A production assistant is an entry level position within the television industry. This position is
responsible for assisting the producers and the production staff with all aspects of production. They
answer phones, schedule meeting, copy scripts, deliver scripts.
Casting Director:
Person who finds, auditions, and negotiates for the services of actors. He or she breaks down the script by role, characteristics, and age. Compiles list of potential candidates, checks their availability,
contacts agents, and schedules all auditions and call backs.
Production Designer:
Individual works closely with producers and director to determine how they see the show, and by
choice of colors, textures, and materials determines the overall “look” and contributes to the
emotional tone of the show. The Production Designer supervises the search of locations, designs sets,
oversees the drawing up of blue prints and the building and dressing of all sets.
Art Director:
This person works with the studio and the executive producers to create a “look” for a show. This
person designs the sets that are later built for a television series.
Set Designer:
Responsible for the execution of detailed drawings of the sets and construction elements within the set to be built. He or she drafts blue prints from descriptions of drawings from the Production Designer or Art Director and thereafter oversees the construction of sets.
Construction Coordinator:
After receiving the set plans from the Set Designer, this person is responsible for managing the crew
that builds the sets. They also budget the build and monitor all set costs.
Set Decorator:
Works closely with the Production Designer to achieve the visual look of the show. Individual decorates with furniture, drapes, textures, etc. Set dec also supervises set dressing crew.
Director of Photography/DP:
Works closely with the Director in translating the screenplay into moving images. They orchestrate the lighting, framing and shooting of the show in close consultation with is three key supporting crew
members: Camera Operator, Gaffer, and Key Grip. He or she is responsible for all production
photography.
Camera Operator:
Operates the camera and is responsible to the DP for composition, focus, camera movement, and
anything that comes within the domain of photography.
Gaffer:
Individual responsible to the DP for all lighting set ups and procedures on a production. Works closely
with the DP and Key Grip in the selection, placement, and desired level and balance of the lighting on a
set or location.
Key Grip:
Responsible to the DP and gaffer for providing and placing all diffusion, for facilitating or actuating
camera movement, and for moving, erecting, and striking scaffolding. As head of the grip crew, the Key Grip supervises transporting, rigging, placing, operating, moving, lifting, carrying, and striking of all grip equipment and accessories, as well as sometimes assisting other departments in handling and
moving their equipment.
Best Boy Grip:
Assistant to the Key Grip. Best Boy takes care of the equipment, brings on extra manpower, orders,
supplies, etc.
Dolly Grip:
Person who handles the dollies and cranes. A dolly is a platform on which a camera is placed. It has a
hydraulic arm that lowers and raises, and it has wheels.
Prop Master:
Person responsible for preparing the prop breakdown and budget for selecting, positioning, and
maintaining all props. Props are items that are carried or handled by the Actors, including food and
drink, office or household supplies, money, weapons, tools, toys, games, and so on.
Costume Designer:
Person responsible for researching and designing the costumes and accompanying accessories for the
actors & actresses and oversees the making fitting, acquisition, and rental of all wardrobe items.
Key Costumer:
Individual who is responsible to the costume designer for the selection, acquisition, rental, and care of all wardrobe items. This person also prepares a costume breakdown and, in consultation with the
costume designer and production manager a wardrobe budget.
Key Make-Up Artist:
Individual in charge with the application of makeup on the actors, actresses, and extras. The Make-up
Artist is also responsible for preparing a makeup schedule and for supervising and coordinating with
other members of the makeup department, including assistants, body makeup artists, special effects
makeup and hair stylists.
Key Hair Stylist:
Styles and it required, cuts, colors, and washes the hair and wigs of all actors and actresses.
Sound Mixer:
Responsible to the director for recording and production sound, and for the quality of the mixed and
recorded sound during production. He or she operates the mixing console, recorded and associated
equipment.
Boom Operator:
The person responsible for to the production mixer for operating and maintaining the microphone
boom along with the attached shotgun microphone.
Publicist:
The individual responsible to the producers and production company for publicizing the television show in the various media – print, radio, television, etc.
Editor:
Person who selects and assembles the footage to create a story progression in accordance with the
director’s vision. The editor works closely with the director in viewing dailies to determine what takes
are best used to tell the story.
Assistant Editor:
Person who handles all of the details in the editing room so the editor is free to make creative
decisions. This includes digitizing the footage into the editing system, making sure that every shot is
accounted for, dealing with the lab, and handling all technical issues that may occur with the editing
system.
Composer:
The Composer composes the music score for the production in order to heighten and intensify the
emotional tone of the tv show
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