Personnel

Personnel Logistics

The crewing of a production is crucial to the overall success of the film.

A well crewed production will run on time, secure all the required footage and stay within budget. On the other hand a poorly crewed production may run over time, not manage to secure all the required shots and may go over budget.

On a big budget production, role will be filled by specialists and seasoned professionals.

For example a make-up artist who works on big productions will usually only ever work in that particular role.

On a medium budget film crew will be slightly scaled down from the big budget production, but crew roles will still be filled by experienced professionals.

On a low budget production, the people in the production crew will have varying levels of experience, but will invariably have completed training and have some degree of set experience.

On a micro budget production, the people in the production crew may have to double up or triple up on roles. People will often be recruited for having multiple skills and general versatility. 

Producers hiring a team will:

Firstly they will try to re-employ previously hired crew, whose artistic and key technical skills have already been put to the test and who have established already that they have excellent time management and team building skills on previous productions.

Secondly, look and focus on recommendations through critical acclaim, as well as people who have won awards on other productions.

Thirdly, rely on recruitment agencies, production databases and crew CVs.

Job Roles Task

Producer- The financial, practical and creative head of the film. Involved from a very early part of the process, they are the main decision makers involved in the making of the production, they will usually be the ones who come up with the idea. They are also the problem solvers, and may also look at potential places for filming. They are in charge of looking after the health and safety of the crew. Ultimately in charge of the production. Without a good producer, deadlines may not be met.

 Director- The creative leads of the film. Usually works with the script writer, and will normally have the role of providing creativity to the production. They will also work with multiple other departments, for things like casting, lighting, wardrobe etc. Without a good director, a script may lack creativity and becoming boring for the viewer and possibly not generate as much income.

 1 st Assistant Director-  In charge of planning the filming schedule as well as working with various other departments in order to produce an effective shoot. During production, they are in charge of managing the set, and are therefore very important in ensuring crewmember safety on set, safety is incredibly important on a film shoot, as if the assistant director doesn’t ensure this accidents may happen.

Production Manager - In charge of carrying out decisions that have been made. Managing the production, and keeping it on target is also vital. Known as a ‘go to person’ for any on set problems. They are important to the production, as without them, more and more on set problems will occur without an answer to solve them.

Location Manager - In charge of finding a location to carry out filming at. They will scout a location that is; accessible, safe and secure. Furthermore they will also carry out risk assessments. During filming, they will look after and maintain this location. Without a location manager, the correct locations may not be found, affecting the overall look of the film.

 Assistant Location Manager- Will prepare movement orders and assist with scouting or additional locations by researching, photographing, and making appointments to meet with owners and residents. Without them, there will be a lot of disorganisation.

  Production Designer - Creates the way a film or tv drama looks. Often working alongside the visual department, they will create the place that the film is set in. They will also create a budget that they need. Without a good production designer, a place may not look as realistic.

 Property Master - Makes, stores and transports the props for each days shoot. Usually involved within the pre production phase in order to get everything ready for filming. In charge of recruiting people who will make the props. Also look into sourcing and buying these props. Without a prop master, the film may not contain the correct, most effective props for filming, affecting the overall visual. 

 Prop Maker-  

 Construction Manager - Looks after the building of studios and sets, making them look as realistic as possible. Without them, a poor set might be made, and have a negative affect on the overall look of the film. Also having an impact on the hiring of the workforce. Responsible for buying the necessary materials.

 Director of Photography-  Photographic heart of a production. In charge of creating the overall look of the film. Heavily prominent within the lighting and camera department. Will oversee the lighting of the set. Without them, a film may not achieve the look it was aiming for.

 Camera Operator- Capture the shots, making sure all the equipment is set up properly and ready to use. The shots that are required may not be captured by an inexperienced or not very good operator.

Art Director- Critical to the pre production phase due to the fact that they are the ones that look at constructing and decorating sets. Without them, sets may not look as good, affecting the overall look of the film.

Assistant Art Director-  Helps the art director with research, as well as producing sets. May take responsibility for smaller sets. Utilised in order to speed up the process as well as being second in line to the art director.

Costume Supervisor- 

Costume Designer- Involved in the designing, creation and hiring of costumes for a cast. Often working very close with people who are very high up, in order to contribute to the look and storytelling of the film. Also will look at budgeting. Vital for production, as costume can tell so much more about a character, and without a specific designer, there might may not be as much of an understanding

Costume Assistant- Research costume style and designs. Also manage the budget as well as  overseeing fittings.

 Make-Up & Hair Designer- Used in pre production, working closely with the director, in order to find out and research the specific styles that each character will have in each scene. One of the first people on set in order to get all actors ready, and will be on set throughout the day maintaining their look. Without them, the film may not achieve the look it was going for.

Sound designer- 

Supervising sound editor- Create the overall soundtrack for the production, as well as looking at what type of sound/noise best suits the films mood. Without it the mood may not be achieved.

 Script Supervisor- As films are hardly ever shot in chronological order, it is vital that a script supervisor is used to check that each scene can be edited and still makes sense by the end of filming. They will keep a progress report of the days filming, meaning that editors can find what's been shot and when. Without them the production would be incredibly disorganised.

Storyboard Artist -