Television crew - AbsoluteAstronomy.com

Television crew positions are derived from those of film crew

Film crew

Television crew positions are derived from those of film crew positions.A film crew is a group of people hired by a production company for the purpose of producing a film or motion picture. Crew are distinguished from cast, the Actors who appear in front of the camera or provide voices for...

, but with several differences.

Pre-production

Everything before the shooting of the film is known as the pre-production stage. The crew

Crew

A crew is a body or a class of people who work at a common activity, generally in a structured or hierarchical organization. A location in which a crew works is called a crewyard or a workyard...

of people involved in this stage include the Casting Director, the Costume designer

Costume Designer

A costume designer or costume mistress/master is a person whose responsibility is to design costumes for a film or stage production. He or she is considered an important part of the "production team", working alongside the director, scenic and lighting designers as well as the sound designer. The...

, the Director

Television director

A television director directs the activities involved in making a television program and is part of a television crew.-Duties:The duties of a television director vary depending on whether the production is live or recorded to video tape or video server .In both types of productions, the...

, the Location manager

Location manager

The Location Manager is responsible for the finding and securing locations to be used and coordinating the logistics involved for the production to successfully complete its necessary work...

, the Make-up artist, the Researcher

Researcher

A researcher is somebody who performs research, the search for knowledge or in general any systematic investigation to establish facts. Researchers can work in academic, industrial, government, or private institutions.-Examples of research institutions:...

, the Screenwriter

Screenwriter

Screenwriters or scriptwriters or scenario writers are people who write/create the short or feature-length screenplays from which mass media such as films, television programs, Comics or video games are based.-Profession:...

, the Set designer, and the Television producer

Television producer

The primary role of a television Producer is to allow all aspects of video production, ranging from show idea development and cast hiring to shoot supervision and fact-checking...

Casting Director

Casts the Actor

Actor

An actor is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity...

s. Usually one of the first crew members attached to the project. In fact, when a television pilot

Television pilot

A "television pilot" is a standalone episode of a television series that is used to sell the show to a television network. At the time of its inception, the pilot is meant to be the "testing ground" to see if a series will be possibly desired and successful and therefore a test episode of an...

is initially cast the Executive Producer

Executive producer

An executive producer is a producer who is not involved in any technical aspects of the film making or music process, but who is still responsible for the overall production...

and Casting Director are often the only crew members.

Costume designer

The Costume Designer makes all the clothing and costumes worn by all the Actors on screen, as well as designing, planning, and organizing the construction of the garments down to the fabric, colours, and sizes. They greatly contribute to the appearance of the production, and set a particular mood, time, feeling, or genre. They alter the overall appearance of a project with their designs and constructions, including impacting on the style of the project, and how the audience interprets the show's characters.

Director

A Television Director is usually responsible for directing the actors and other filmed aspects of a television production. The role differs from that of a film director

Film director

A film director is a person who directs the actors and film crew in filmmaking. They control a film's artistic and dramatic nathan roach, while guiding the technical crew and actors.-Responsibilities:...

because the major creative control will likely belong to the Producer. In general, the Actor and other regular Artists on a show will be familiar enough with their roles that the Director's input will be confined to technical issues. The Director is responsible for all creative aspects of a movie. The Director would most likely assist with hiring the cast (and possibly the crew). The Director helps decide on the locations, creates a plan of shooting, and sets a mental layout of shot by shot in their minds eye. During shooting, the Director supervises the overall project, manages shots, and keeps the assignment on budget, and schedule. Although the Director holds much power, they are second in command after the Producer, who ultimately hired the Director (unless the Director holds both positions). Some Directors are also the Producers of their television program

Television program

A television program , also called television show, is a segment of content which is intended to be broadcast on television. It may be a one-time production or part of a periodically recurring series...

, and, with the approval of the funding studio, have a much tighter grip on what makes the final cut than Directors usually have.

Associate Director (AD)

An Associate Director in television production is usually responsible for floor directing in the studio and ensuring that the sets, props and technical equipment are safe, ready to use and in positioned correctly before filming. Associate Directors are also responsible for communications with the audience

Audience

An audience is a group of people who participate in a show or encounter a work of art, literature , theatre, music or academics in any medium...

and any guests, for example ensuring they are seated in good time, and assisting the Director with production. In scripted television series, an Associate Director will occasionally serve as the episode

Episode

An episode is a part of a dramatic work such as a serial television or radio program. An episode is a part of a sequence of a body of work, akin to a chapter of a book. The term sometimes applies to works based on other forms of mass media as well, as in Star Wars...

's Director, in which case someone else will sub for the AD. Until the mid 2000s in the United States, Associate Directors were usually credited as "Technical Coordinators" for most sitcoms were shot on film; ADs are usually not used on drama programs.

Location Manager

The Location Manager finds and manages film locations. Most pictures are shot in the controllable environment of a studio sound stage

Sound stage

In common usage, a sound stage is a soundproof, hangar-like structure, building, or room, used for the production of theatrical filmmaking and television production, usually located on a secure movie studio property.-Overview:...

but occasionally, outdoor sequences call for filming on location

On location

On location can refer to:*Filming location, a place where some or all of a film or television series is produced*On Location , a name of an HBO special series*Adobe OnLocation, computer software for direct to disk recording....

Make-up artist

A professional Make-up artist is usually a cosmetology

Cosmetology

Cosmetology is the study and application of beauty treatment. Branches of specialty including hairstyling, skin care, cosmetics, manicures/pedicures, and electrology....

beautician, and applies makeup to anyone appearing on screen. They concentrate on the area above the chest, the face, the top of the head, the fingers, hands, arms, and elbows. Their role is to manipulate an Actor 's on screen appearance whether it makes them look more youthful, larger, older, or in some cases monstrous.

There are also Body makeup artists who concentrate their abilities on the body rather than the head. Make-up itself is substances to enhance the beauty of the human body, but can also change the appearance, disguise, or costume someone. Along with the Make-up artists, the Hair stylists, Costume designer

Costume Designer

s, and Dress technicians all combine their effort into transforming an Actor into a character, or a person into a presenter

Presenter

A presenter, or host , is a person or organization responsible for running an event. A museum or university, for example, may be the presenter or host of an exhibit. Likewise, a master of ceremonies is a person that hosts or presents a show...

Production designer

The Production Designer is the person with the responsibility of the visual appearance of a production. They design, plan, organize, and arrange set design, equipment availability, as well as the on screen appearance a production will have. A production designer is often referred to also as the set designer, or scenic designer. They are trained professionals, often with Master of Fine Arts

Master of Fine Arts

A Master of Fine Arts is a graduate degree typically requiring 2–3 years of postgraduate study beyond the bachelor's degree , although the term of study will vary by country or by university. The MFA is usually awarded in visual arts, creative writing, filmmaking, dance, or theatre/performing arts...

(MFA) degrees in scenic design. The set designer is responsible for collaborating with the Theatre Director to create an environment for the production and then communicating the details of this environment to the Technical Director

Technical director

The Technical Director or Technical Manager is usually a senior technical person within a software company, film studio, theatrical company or television studio...

, charge scenic artist

Charge scenic artist

A charge artist leads and oversees the painting of stage, film or television scenery.The charge artist's responsibilities include methods of reproduction of color, texture, preparation and ageing of all surfaces....

and Property Master

Property master

The property master is an artistic and organizational employee in a film, television or theatrical production who is responsible for purchasing, acquiring and/or manufacturing any props needed for a production...

. Scenic Designers are responsible for creating scale models of the scenery as well as scale drawings. The set designer also takes instructions from the Art Director

Art director

The art director is a person who supervise the creative process of a design.The term 'art director' is a blanket title for a variety of similar job functions in advertising, publishing, film and television, the Internet, and video games....

to create the appearance of the stage, and design its technical assembly. The Art Director, who can also be the Production Designer

Production designer

In film and television, a production designer is the person responsible for the overall look of a filmed event such as films, TV programs, music videos or adverts. Production designers have one of the key creative roles in the creation of motion pictures and television. Working directly with the...

, plans and oversees the formation of settings for a project. They are fully aware and conscious of art and design styles, including architecture and interior design. They also work with the Cinematographer

Cinematographer

A cinematographer is one photographing with a motion picture camera . The title is generally equivalent to director of photography , used to designate a chief over the camera and lighting crews working on a film, responsible for achieving artistic and technical decisions related to the image...

to accomplish the precise appearance for the project.

Researcher

Researchers research the project ahead of shooting time to increase truth, factual content, creative content, original ideas, background information, and sometimes performs minor searches such as flight details, location conditions, accommodation details, etc. It is their task to inform the Director, Producer, and Writer of all ideas, and knowledge related to what task is being undertaken, or what a scene/ event/prop/ or backdrop needs to be included to make the show factual and ultimately more believable.

Set designer

The scenic designer is responsible for collaborating with the Theatre director and other members of the production design team to create an environment for the production and then communicating the details of this environment to the Technical director

Technical director

The Technical Director or Technical Manager is usually a senior technical person within a software company, film studio, theatrical company or television studio...

, Production manager, Charge artist and Property master

Property master

. Scenic designers are responsible for creating scale model

Scale model

A scale model is a physical model, a representation or copy of an object that is larger or smaller than the actual size of the object, which seeks to maintain the relative proportions of the physical size of the original object. Very often the scale model is used as a guide to making the object in...

s of the scenery, artistic rendering

Artistic rendering

Rendering in visual art and technical drawing means the process of creating, shading, and texturing of an image, especially a photorealistic one. It can also be used to describe the quality of execution of that process...

, paint elevations and scale construction drawings as part of their communication with other production staff.

Television Producer

In the entertainment industry, a Television Producer (compare to film producer

Film producer

A film producer oversees and delivers a film project to all relevant parties while preserving the integrity, voice and vision of the film. They will also often take on some financial risk by using their own money, especially during the pre-production period, before a film is fully financed.The...

) is generally in charge of, or helps to coordinate, the financial, legal, administrative, technological and artistic aspects of a production. In television, a television producer can be given one of the following titles:

Associate Producer

The Associate Producer performs limited producing functions under the authority of a Producer; often in charge of the day-to-day running of a production. Usually the Producer's head assistant, although the task can differ. They are frequently a connection between everyone making shooting possible (the production team

Production team

A production team is the group of technical staff who produce a play, television show, recording, or film. Generally the term refers to all individuals responsible for the technical aspects of creating of a particular product, regardless of where in the process their expertize is required, or how...

) and the people involved after filming to finalize the production, and get it publicized (the Post-production

Post-production

Post-production is part of filmmaking and the video production process. It occurs in the making of motion pictures, television programs, radio programs, advertising, audio recordings, photography, and digital art...

team). Occasionally credit for this role is given to the product's financial backer, or the person who originally brought the assignment to the Producer.

Assistant Producer (AP)

In the UK

United Kingdom

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...

), the Assistant Producer is the closest role to that of a film director

Film director

. An Assistant Producer often doubles as an experienced Researcher

Researcher

, and takes direct charge of the creative content and action within a programme. The title of Television director

Television director

is usually reserved only for dramatic programming

Dramatic programming

Dramatic programming in the UK, or television drama and television drama series in the US, is television program content that is scripted and fictional along the lines of √a traditional drama. This excludes, for example, sports television, television news, reality show and game shows, stand-up...

productions and those which bear most similarity to film

Film

A film, also called a movie or motion picture, is a series of still or moving images. It is produced by recording photographic images with cameras, or by creating images using animation techniques or visual effects...

s, or for those who control a multi-camera set up from the Gallery.

Co-producer

Typically performs producing functions in tandem with one or more other Co-Producers (working as a team, rather than separately on different aspects of the production).

Coordinating Producer

Coordinates the work of two or more producers working separately on one or more productions.

Executive producer

Supervises one or more producers in all aspects of their work; sometimes the initiator of the production; usually the ultimate authority on the creative and business aspects of the production (except to the extent that a Film Director retains creative control). If the title is designated correctly, the Executive Producer would arrange for the project's financial backing and attempt to maintain a well production budget

Production budget

A film production budget determines how much money will be spent on the entire film project. It involves the identification and estimation of cost items for each phase of filmmaking ....

. Far too often, the Executive Producer's role is given falsely to a power player in the equation - sometimes an actor, an actor's agent, or someone else who aided in the production of the project.

Line producer

Supervises the physical aspects of the production (not the creative aspects), including personnel, technology, budget, and scheduling. The line producer oversees the project's budget. This involves operating costs such as salaries, production costs, and everyday equipment rental costs. The Line Producer works with the Production manager on costs and expenditure.

Segment producer

Produces one or more components of a multipart production.

Supervising producer

Supervises one or more producers in some or all aspects of their work; usually works under the authority of an Executive Producer.

Writer

The Writer creates and moulds an original story, or adapts other written, told, or acted stories for production of a television show. Their finished work is called a script. A script may also have been a contribution of many writers, so it is the Writers Guild of America

Writers Guild of America

The Writers Guild of America is a generic term referring to the joint efforts of two different US labor unions:* The Writers Guild of America, East , representing TV and film writers East of the Mississippi....

’s (WGA) task to designate who gets the credit as being 'the Writer'. 'Written By' in the credits, is a Writers Guild of America assigned terminology meaning "Original Story and Screenplay By". A screenplay

Screenplay

A screenplay or script is a written work that is made especially for a film or television program. Screenplays can be original works or adaptations from existing pieces of writing. In them, the movement, actions, expression, and dialogues of the characters are also narrated...

or script is a blueprint for producing a motion picture, and a teleplay

Teleplay

A teleplay is a television play, a comedy or drama written or adapted for television. The term surfaced during the 1950s with wide usage to distinguish a television plays from stage plays for the theater and screenplays written for films...

is the replica for a television show. Writers can also come under the category of screenwriters. Screenwriters (also called "script writers"), are authors who write the screenplays from which productions are made just as a writer does. Many of them also work as script doctor

Script doctor

A script doctor, also called script consultant, is a highly-skilled screenwriter, hired by a film or television production, to rewrite or polish specific aspects of an existing screenplay, including structure, characterization, dialogue, pacing, theme, and other elements...

s, attempting to change scripts to suit directors or studios; Script-doctoring can be quite lucrative, especially for the better known writers. Most professional screenwriters are unionized and are represented by organizations such as the WGA.

Head writer

A head writer is a person who oversees the team of writers on a television or radio series. The title is common in the soap opera genre, as well as with sketch comedies and talk shows that feature monologues and comedy skits, but in prime time series this function is generally performed by an Executive Producer.

Screenwriter

Screenwriters or scenarists or scriptwriters are people who write/create the short or feature-length screenplay

Screenplay

s from which film

Film

s and television program

Television program

s are based.

Story editor

Story editor is a job title in motion picture filmmaking

Filmmaking

Filmmaking is the process of making a film, from an initial story, idea, or commission, through scriptwriting, casting, shooting, directing, editing, and screening the finished product before an audience that may result in a theatrical release or television program...

and television production, also sometimes called "Supervising Producer". A story editor is a member of the screenwriting

Screenwriting

Screenwriting is the art and craft of writing scripts for mass media such as feature films, television productions or video games. It is a freelance profession....

staff who edits stories for screenplay

Screenplay

Production

Everything while the shooting of the film is in progress is part of the so called “production” stage. The crew

Crew

A crew is a body or a class of people who work at a common activity, generally in a structured or hierarchical organization. A location in which a crew works is called a crewyard or a workyard...

of people involved in this stage of production include the Cinematographer

Cinematographer

, Production Manager, the Technical Director

Technical director

The Technical Director or Technical Manager is usually a senior technical person within a software company, film studio, theatrical company or television studio...

, the Boom Operator

Boom operator (media)

A Boom operator is an assistant of the production sound mixer. The principal responsibility of the boom operator is microphone placement, sometimes using a "fishpole" with a microphone attached to the end and sometimes, when the situation permits, using a "boom" which is a more intricate and...

, the Gaffer, the Dolly grip

Dolly grip

In cinematography, the dolly grip dedicated technician trained to operate the camera dolly. The individual places, levels, and moves the dolly track, then pushes and pulls the dolly and usually a camera operator and camera assistant as riders. If the dolly has a moveable vertical axis, such as a...

, the Key Grip

Key grip

In the United States and many parts of the world in film-making, the key grip is the head of the grip department and chief rigging technician on the set. Using light, he or she is in charge of the shadows of light, the movement of the camera, the placing of cameras on any stationary, moving,...

and the Stunt coordinator

Stunt coordinator

A stunt coordinator, usually an experienced stunt performer, is hired by a TV, film or theatre director or production company to arrange the casting and performance of stunts for a film, television programme or a live audience...

A2

An A2 is a person responsible for placement and interconnection of audio devices, such as microphone

Microphone

A microphone is an acoustic-to-electric transducer or sensor that converts sound into an electrical signal. In 1877, Emile Berliner invented the first microphone used as a telephone voice transmitter...

s and intercom

Intercom

An intercom , talkback or doorphone is a stand-alone voice communications system for use within a building or small collection of buildings, functioning independently of the public telephone network. Intercoms are generally mounted permanently in buildings and vehicles...

, from the Television Production truck

Production truck

Television Production trucks were developed to take television studios on the road so video productions could be made at distant locations for a remote broadcast, outside broadcasting , electronic field production with multiple-camera setup and a support of a number of different technologies to...

to the venue. Typically in larger productions, there are two or more A2s.

Boom operator

The Boom Operator is an assistant of the Sound Engineer or "production sound mixer

Production sound mixer

A production sound mixer, location sound recordist, location sound engineer or simply sound mixer is the member of a film crew or television crew responsible for recording all sound recording on set during the filmmaking or television production using professional audio equipment, for later...

". The main responsibility of the Boom Operator is microphone

Microphone

placement, sometimes using a "fishpole" with a microphone attached to the end and sometimes, when the situation permits, using a "boom" (most often a "fisher boom") which is a special piece of equipment that the operator stands on and that allows precise control of the microphone at a much greater distance away from the actors. They will also place wireless microphone

Wireless microphone

A wireless microphone, as the name implies, is a microphone without a physical cable connecting it directly to the sound recording or amplifying equipment with which it is associated...

s on actors when it is necessary. The Boom Operator is part of the sound crew, who manages to keep the microphone boom, near to the action, but away from the camera frame, so that it never appears onscreen, but allows the microphone to pursue the actors as they move. They work closely with the Production Sound Mixer, or Sound Recordist, to record all sound while filming including background noises, dialogue, sound effects, and silence.

Camera Operator/Cinematographer/Videographer

As the head member of the camera crew, the camera operator uses the camera as coached by the Director. They are accountable for maintaining the required action is correctly filmed in the frame, and needs to react instinctively as the proceedings take place. If the Camera Operator is also a Cinematographer, they also help establish the theme and appearance of the show. The Cinematographer

Cinematographer

or Director of photography (DP) regulates the lighting for every scene, is responsible for framing some shots, chooses the lenses to be used, decides on film stock and guarantees that the visual appearance of the project follows to the directors initial foresight. However, the Cinematographer would usually not maneuver the camera on the set, as this is usually the exclusive role of a Camera Operator.

Character Generator Operator/Aston/Chyron Operator

The Character Generator (CG) Operator

Operator (profession)

An operator is a professional designation used in various industries, including broadcasting , computing, customer service, physics, and construction. Operators are day-to-day end users of systems, that may or may not be mission-critical, but are typically managed and maintained by technicians or...

prepares and displays digital on-screen graphics (DOG or BUG) and lower third graphics on the character generator

Character generator

A character generator, often abbreviated as CG, is a device or software that produces static or animated text for keying into a video stream. Modern character generators are computer-based, and can generate graphics as well as text...

that were created by the Broadcast designer

Broadcast designer

A broadcast designer is a person involved with creating graphic designs and electronic media incorporated in television productions that are used by character generator operators...

Floor Manager

The Floor Manager is the Director's representative on the studio floor, and is responsible for giving instruction and direction to crew, cast and guests. It is closest to the role of an Assistant Director, as the job frequently entails barking orders to keep a production moving to schedule. The Floor Manager is always in direct contact with the Director via talkback

Talkback (recording)

In sound recording, talkback refers to the intercom system used in recording studios and production control rooms in television studios to enable personnel to communicate with people in the recording area or booth...

in the gallery. Also checks that the floor is clear and safe for the performance required; checks that any scenery or set piece is ready to be used as required; turns on the appropriate lights; gives announcements to staff and audience; helps to maintain the set quiet and in order; calls cues to begin the action and prompts talents as required.

Assistant Floor Manager

An Assistant Floor Manager (frequently abbreviated to AFM) is responsible for setting a stage and prompting contributors on the studio floor and ensuring that everyone knows their place in the script, freeing the Floor Manager for other duties. They often oversee a team of Runners. Increasingly, Assistant Floor Managers are being asked to assist with the design and preparation of props, as well as setting and resetting the action on the studio floor.

Graphics Coordinator

The Graphics coordinator (GC) decides what graphic content should be displayed on-air - such as on a fullpage (a full-screen graphic) or a lower third (a bar graphic appearing in the lower third of the screen). The GC should not be confused with the Character Generator (CG) Operator, who usually operates a CG and is part of a television crew, or a Broadcast designer

Broadcast designer

A broadcast designer is a person involved with creating graphic designs and electronic media incorporated in television productions that are used by character generator operators...

who physically creates the graphics.

Stage Manager

Stage management is the practice of organizing and coordinating a theatrical production. It encompasses a variety of activities, including organizing the production and coordinating communications between various personnel (e.g., between director and backstage crew, or actors and production management

Production management

Theatrical production management is a sub-division of stagecraft. The production management team is responsible for realizing the visions of the producer and the director or choreographer within constraints of technical possibility...

). Stage management is a sub-discipline of stagecraft

Stagecraft

Stagecraft is a generic term referring to the technical aspects of theatrical, film, and video production. It includes, but is not limited to, constructing and rigging scenery, hanging and focusing of lighting, design and procurement of costumes, makeup, procurement of props, stage management, and...

Gaffer

The Gaffer is the head Electrician at the production set, and is in charge of lighting the stage in accordance with the direction of the Cinematographer

Cinematographer

. In television the term Chief Lighting Director is often used instead of Gaffer, and sometimes the Technical Director

Technical director

The Technical Director or Technical Manager is usually a senior technical person within a software company, film studio, theatrical company or television studio...

will light the studio set. The Gaffer reports to the Director of Photography (DoP), Lighting Director (LD) or Lighting Designer, and will usually have an assistant called a Best Boy

Best boy

In a film crew there are two kinds of best boy: best boy electric and best boy grip. They are assistants to their department heads, the gaffer and the key grip, respectively.- Job responsibilities :...

and a crew of electricians.

Grip (job)

In the U.S. and Canada, grips are lighting and rigging technicians in the film and video industries. They constitute their own department on a film set and are directed by a key grip. Grips have two main functions. The first is to work closely with the camera department to provide camera support, especially if the camera is mounted to a dolly, crane, or in an unusual position, such as the top of a ladder. Some grips may specialize in operating camera dollies or camera cranes. The second main function of grips is to work closely with the electrical department to create lighting set-ups necessary for a shot under the direction of the Director of Photography.

Key grip

The Key Grip is the head grip on the production set. It is a Grip's task to create shadow effects with lights and occasionally maneuver camera cranes, dollies and platforms while receiving direction from the Cinematographer. The term grip is used in slightly different ways in American

United States

The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

and British

United Kingdom

or Australia

Australia

Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...

n film making. In the British and Australian film industries, a grip is responsible for camera mounting and support, which can include anything beyond a basic tripod. Lighting in British and Australian film-making is headed by the Gaffer, who is also part of the camera department. Grips can also be the people that do the laborious work on sets. These type of Grips push, pull, roll, and lift various pieces of equipment under the watchful eye of the Television Director

Television director

, Television producer

Television producer

The primary role of a television Producer is to allow all aspects of video production, ranging from show idea development and cast hiring to shoot supervision and fact-checking...

, or Set designer.

Dolly grip

In cinematography

Cinematography

Cinematography is the making of lighting and camera choices when recording photographic images for cinema. It is closely related to the art of still photography...

, the Dolly Grip is the individual who places and moves the dolly track where it is required, and then pushes and pulls the dolly along that track while filming. A Dolly Grip must work closely with the camera crew to perfect these complex movements during rehearsals. For moving shots, Dolly Grip may also push the wheeled platform holding the microphone and Boom Operator

Boom operator (media)

. The dolly is a cart that the tripod and camera (and occasionally the camera crew) rest on. It makes the camera able to move without bumps and visual interruptions from start to finish while the camera is filming. It is commonly used to follow beside an actor to give the audience the sense of walking with the actor, or as the actor.

Gallery/Control Room Team

The following crew positions are only utilised on a Multiple-camera setup

Multiple-camera setup

The multiple-camera setup, multiple-camera mode of production, or multicam is a method of filmmaking and video production. Several cameras—either film or professional video cameras—are employed on the set and simultaneously record or broadcast a scene...

production. The Gallery or "Production Control Room" is a separate darkened area away from the studio floor where the action can be viewed across multiple monitors and controlled from a single source.

Production Manager

The Production Manager performs deals concerned with business about the crew, and organizes the technical needs of the production. This would involve many things ranging from gaining the correct equipment with the exact technical requirements; to arranging accommodation for the cast and crew. The Production Manager reports their expenses and needs to the Line Producer.

Production Assistant

Commonly referred to simply as the PA, the Production Assistant assumes a prompting role in the Gallery or Control Room. They are responsible for communication with the broadcasting channel during a live television

Live television

Live television refers to a television production broadcast in real-time, as events happen, in the present. From the early days of television until about 1958, live television was used heavily, except for filmed shows such as I Love Lucy and Gunsmoke. Video tape did not exist until 1957...

show, counting down the time before transmission aloud to the crew via the studio microphone. They also count down time remaining for sections of a programme, such as an interview or an advertising break. Prior to a production, the PA is responsible for preparing and timing the script, noting pre-recorded inserts, sound effect

Sound effect

For the album by The Jam, see Sound Affects.Sound effects or audio effects are artificially created or enhanced sounds, or sound processes used to emphasize artistic or other content of films, television shows, live performance, animation, video games, music, or other media...

s and suchlike, and for clearing copyright and other administrative issues.

Runner

Runners are the most junior members of a television crew. They are responsible for fetching and carrying and doing most of the odd-jobs of a production. Their role is usually to support anyone who needs help in a variety of ways, until such time as they have learned enough to assume more responsibilities. This position in the United States is referred to as a Gofer

Gofer

A gofer or go-fer is an employee who is often sent on errands. "Gofer" reflects the likelihood of instructions to go for coffee, dry cleaning, or stamps, or to make other straightforward or familiar procurements. The term gofer originated in North America...

Stunt Coordinator

Where the programme requires a stunt

Stunt

A stunt is an unusual and difficult physical feat, or any act requiring a special skill, performed for artistic purposes in TV, theatre, or cinema...

, and involves the use of stunt performer

Stunt performer

A stuntman, or daredevil is someone who performs dangerous stunts, often as a career.These stunts are sometimes rigged so that they look dangerous while still having safety mechanisms, but often they are as dangerous as they appear to be...

s, the Stunt Coordinator will arrange the casting and performance of the stunt

Stunt

A stunt is an unusual and difficult physical feat, or any act requiring a special skill, performed for artistic purposes in TV, theatre, or cinema...

, working closely with the Television director

Television director

Technical director

In a production control room (PCR), the Technical Director (TD) has overall responsibility for the operation of the production. The Technical Director is responsible for the proper working of all the equipment in the PCR. They also match the quality and the output of all the cameras on the studio floor through the camera control unit

Camera control unit

- Description :The Camera Control Unit is typically part of a live television broadcast "chain". It is responsible for powering the professional video camera, handling signals sent over the camera cable to and from the camera, and can be used control various camera parameters such as iris...

s (CCU) (Vision Engineering). It is the responsibility of the TD to supervise all the other crew members working in the PCR. The Technical Director also coordinates the working of the whole crew and looks into any technical problem which arises before, during or after the shooting of a project.

Television director - Director

Unlike the film counterpart, a Director in television usually refers to the Gallery (or Control Room) Director, who is responsible for the creative look of a production through selecting which shots to use at any given moment. The Director views the action on the studio floor through a bank of screens, each one linked to one of the professional video camera

Professional video camera

A professional video camera is a high-end device for creating electronic moving images...

s, while issuing instructions down to the Floor Manager

Floor manager

. They also control the Gallery area, calling for sound rolls, digital on-screen graphic

Digital on-screen graphic

A digital on-screen graphic is a watermark-like station logo that many television broadcasters overlay over a portion of the screen-area of their programs to identify the channel...

s (Astons) and video rolls video tape recorder

Video tape recorder

A video tape recorder is a tape recorder that can record video material, usually on a magnetic tape. VTRs originated as individual tape reels, serving as a replacement for motion picture film stock and making recording for television applications cheaper and quicker. An improved form included the...

(VT's). Some directors also work more closely with on-camera talent and others also act as both Producer and Director.

Video Control Operator/Vision Engineering

A Video Control Operator (typically credited under the title "video control", and sometimes referred to simply as a "Video Engineer" or, a "Video Operator") is responsible for controlling the video console to regulate transmission of television scenes, including test patterns and filmed and live telecasts. Video Control Operators view the action on set through video monitor

Video monitor

A video monitor also called a broadcast monitor, broadcast reference monitor or just reference monitor, is a display device similar to a television set, used to monitor the output of a video-generating device, such as playout from a video server, IRD, video camera, VCR, or DVD player. It may or...

s and sets switches and observes dials on the video console to control contrast, framing, brilliance, color balance, and the fidelity of the transmitted image. They also monitor the program to ensure the technical quality of the broadcast, and review the shot program to determine that the signal is functioning properly and that it will be ready for transmission at the required time. Video Control Operators and Video Tape Operators are used only in television productions recorded on video tape because the growing use of broadcast automation

Broadcast automation

Broadcast automation incorporates the use of broadcast programming technology to automate broadcasting operations. Used either at a broadcast network, radio station or a television station, it can run a facility in the absence of a human operator...

with video server

Video server

A video server is a computer based device dedicated to delivering video.Unlike personal computers, being multi-application devices, a video server is designed for one purpose; provisioning video, often for broadcasters. A professional grade video server records, stores, and playout of multiple...

Video Tape Operator

The Video Tape Operator (also known as a VT Operator or VTR Operator), cues and prepares video inserts into a program. A VT Operator

Operator (profession)

sets up and operates the video tape equipment to record and play back the program, reads the program log to ascertain when the program will be recorded and when it will be aired. They also select the source, such as satellite or studio, from which the program will be recorded, and selects the videotaping equipment on which it will be recorded. Heavily used in sports programming (though they are used in all video taped productions, including television news programming, and sometimes sitcoms, if they are shot on video tape), they are also responsible for action replays and quickly editing highlights while a show is in progress. As the title suggests, video tape operators only are used in video taped productions.

Vision Mixer

The Vision Mixer or Technical Director

Technical director

The Technical Director or Technical Manager is usually a senior technical person within a software company, film studio, theatrical company or television studio...

(TD) in the United States is responsible for the actual switching between different video sources, such as camera shots and video inserts. They also maintain colour and contrast balance between the studio cameras. A Vision mixer

Vision mixer

A vision mixer is a device used to select between several different video sources and in some cases Compositing video sources together to create special effects...

(Video Switcher) is, confusingly, also the name of the equipment which the Technical Director operates.

Post-production

Everything after the shooting of the film is post production. People involved in this stage of production include the Film editor for film editing

Film editing

Film editing is part of the creative post-production process of filmmaking. It involves the selection and combining of shots into sequences, and ultimately creating a finished motion picture. It is an art of storytelling...

, the Video editor for video editing

Video editing

The term video editing can refer to:* Linear video editing, using video tape* Non-linear editing system , using computers with video editing software* Offline editing* Online editing...

the Publicist

Publicist

A publicist is a person whose job is to generate and manage publicity for a public figure, especially a celebrity, a business, or for a work such as a book, film or album...

for publicity

Publicity

Publicity is the deliberate attempt to manage the public's perception of a subject. The subjects of publicity include people , goods and services, organizations of all kinds, and works of art or entertainment.From a marketing perspective, publicity is one component of promotion which is one...

, the Sound Editor, the Foley artist

Foley artist

Foley is the reproduction of everyday sounds for use in filmmaking. These reproduced sounds can be anything from the swishing of clothing and footsteps to squeaky doors and breaking glass. The best foley art is so well integrated into a film that it goes unnoticed by the audience. It helps to...

, the Composer

Composer

A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...

, the Title Sequence Designer

Broadcast designer

A broadcast designer is a person involved with creating graphic designs and electronic media incorporated in television productions that are used by character generator operators...

, and the Specialist editors.

Composer

A Composer is a person who writes the music for a production. They may also be the conductor of an orchestra who plays the music, or part of the orchestra. The Composer is the originator of the music, and usually its first performer. The Composer occasionally writes the theme music for a television show. A television program's theme music is a melody closely associated with the show, and usually played during the title sequence

Title sequence

A Title Sequence is the method by which cinematic films or television programs present their title, key production and cast members, or both, utilizing conceptual visuals and sound...

and end closing credits

Closing credits

Closing credits or end credits are added at the end of a motion picture, television program, or video game to list the cast and crew involved in the production. They usually appear as a list of names in small type, which either flip very quickly from page to page, or move smoothly across the...

. If it is accompanied by lyrics, it is a theme song.

Editor

The Editor works in tandem with the Director in editing the film that has been shot. The Director has the ultimate accountability for editing choices, but often the editor has substantial contribution in the creative decisions concerned in piecing together a finalized product. Often, the Editor commences their role whilst filming is still in process, by compiling initial takes of footage. It is an extremely long process to edit a television show, demonstrating the importance, and significance editing has on a production. Gradually more Editor are beginning to work on a non-linear editing system

Non-linear editing system

In video, a non-linear editing system is a video editing or audio editing digital audio workstation system which can perform random access non-destructive editing on the source material...

(NLE), limiting physical touching of the actual film, decreasing film corruption due to touch.

The Editor follows the screenplay

Screenplay

as the guide for establishing the structure of the story and then uses their talents to assemble the various shots and takes for greater, clearer artistic effect. There are several editing stages. In the first stage, the Editor is supervised by the Director, who spells their vision to the Editor. Therefore, this first rough cut

Rough cut

In filmmaking, the rough cut is the second of three stages of offline editing. The rough cut is the first stage in which the film begins to resemble its final product...

is created during "Offline editing

Offline editing

Offline editing is part of the post-production process of filmmaking and television production in which raw footage is copied and edited, without affecting the camera original film stock or video tape...

". After the first stage, the following cuts may be supervised by one or more Television producer

Television producer

The primary role of a television Producer is to allow all aspects of video production, ranging from show idea development and cast hiring to shoot supervision and fact-checking...

s, who represent the production company

Production company

A production company provides the physical basis for works in the realms of the performing arts, new media art, film, television, radio, and video.- Tasks and functions :...

and its investors. Consequently, the final cut is the one that most closely represents what the studio wants from the film and not necessarily what the Director wants during "Online editing

Online editing

Online editing is an older post-production linear video editing process that is performed in the final stage of a video production. It occurs after offline editing...

Foley artist

The Foley artist on a film crew is the person who creates and records many of the sound effects. Foley Artists, Editors, and Supervisors are highly specialized and are essential for producing a professional-sounding soundtrack, often reproducing commonplace yet essential sounds like footsteps or the rustle of clothing. The Foley artist also fabricates sounds that can’t be correctly recorded while filming, much like the Sound editor

Sound editor

A sound editor is a creative professional responsible for selecting and assembling sound recordings in preparation for the final sound mixing or mastering of a television program, motion picture, video game, or any production involving recorded or synthetic sound...

does with digital sound effects.

Post-Production Runner

A Post-production Runner, like a Production Runner, carries out tasks that are essential to the smooth running of a post-production house. Production assistant

Production assistant

A production assistant, also known as a PA, is a job title used in filmmaking and television for a person responsible for various aspects of a production...

s and Runners are the most junior members of a post-production team.

Publicist

A Publicist, or advertiser has the task of raising public awareness of a production, and ultimately increase viewers and sales of it and its merchandise. The publicist's main task is to stimulate demand for a product through advertising and promotion. Advertisers use several recognizable techniques in order to better convince the public to buy a product. These may include:

Repetition: Some advertisers concentrate on making sure their product is widely recognized. To that end, they simply attempt to make the name remembered through repetition.
Bandwagon: By implying that the product is widely viewed, advertisers hope to convince potential buyers to "get on the bandwagon."
Testimonials: Advertisers often attempt to promote the superior worth of their product through the testimony of ordinary users, experts, or both. For example using film critics or media personalities. This approach often involves an appeal to authority such as a doctor of media science.
Pressure: By attempting to make people choose quickly and without long consideration, some advertisers hope to make rapid sales, and a sense of urgency to watch or buy a product.
Association: Advertisers often attempt to associate their product with desirable things, in order to make it seem equally desirable. The use of attractive models, picturesque landscapes, and other similar imagery is common. "Buzzwords" with desired associations are also used.
Imagery: Using advertising
Advertising
Advertising is a form of communication used to persuade an audience to take some action with respect to products, ideas, or services. Most commonly, the desired result is to drive consumer behavior with respect to a commercial offering, although political and ideological advertising is also common...

slogans, logos, or a common image increases familiarity, trust, personality of a production, and the ability for the show to be remembered.

The Publicist ensures the media are well aware of a project by distributing the show as a trial run, or a “sneak preview”; through press releases, interviews with members of the cast or crew, arranging exclusive public visits on set of the production, and creating media kits, which contain pictures, posters, clips, shorts, and trailers and brief descriptions on the show and the plot.

Sound editor

In television, the Sound Editor deals with audio mixing

Audio mixing

Audio mixing may refer to:*Audio mixing *Audio mixing *Live sound mixing...

, adjusting and fixing of the soundtrack

Soundtrack

A soundtrack can be recorded music accompanying and synchronized to the images of a motion picture, book, television program or video game; a commercially released soundtrack album of music as featured in the soundtrack of a film or TV show; or the physical area of a film that contains the...

. They usually have a major decision-making and creative role when it comes to sound and audio. A Sound Editor also decides what sound effect

Sound effect

s to use and what effects to achieve from the sound effects, edits and makes new sounds using filters and combining sounds, shaping sound with volume curves, and equalizing. A Sound Editor takes the Foley artist

Foley artist

's sounds and puts them in place so it works with the picture and sounds natural, even if the sound is unnatural. In many cases, a Sound Editor uses a sound effects library extensively, either self-compiled, bought or both, as many of the sounds don't get enough focus if they were taken straight from the shoot of the show.

Title sequence designer

A title sequence

Title sequence

A Title Sequence is the method by which cinematic films or television programs present their title, key production and cast members, or both, utilizing conceptual visuals and sound...

, in a television program, is shown at the beginning of the show; which displays the show name and credits, usually including Actors, Producers and Directors. A montage of selected images and a theme song are often included to suggest the essential tone of the series. A title sequence is essential in preparing the audience for the following program, and gives them a sense of familiarity that makes them trust, and feel comfortable with the film. It is up to the Title Sequence Designer to achieve this very goal, and make it catchy, entertaining, and appealing to increase the audiences feeling of positivity towards the show.

ADR editor

Automatic dialogue replacement

Dubbing (filmmaking)

Dubbing is the post-production process of recording and replacing voices on a motion picture or television soundtrack subsequent to the original shooting. The term most commonly refers to the substitution of the voices of the actors shown on the screen by those of different performers, who may be...

(ADR) is the process of replacing dialogue that was recorded incorrectly during filming, with the actors voices recorded and put into place during editing. The ADR editor oversees the procedure and takes the corrupted dialogue, and replaces it with newly recorded lines to the actor's mouth on film to make it lip sync correctly.

Bluescreen Director/Matte Artist

Bluescreen is the film technique of shooting foreground action against a blue background, which is then replaced by a separately shot "background plate" scene by either optical effects or digital composting. This process is directed and co-ordinated by the Bluescreen Director. The matte artist is a part of the special effects department who assists in making scenery and locations that do not exist. They assemble backgrounds using traditional techniques or computers that mix with the footage filmed to create a false set. Both are fairly alike, but bluescreen technology is more modern and more widely used.

Special effects co-ordinator

Special effects (SPFX) are used in television productions to create effects that cannot be achieved by normal means, such as depicting travel to other star systems. They are also used when creating the effect by normal means is prohibitively expensive, such as an enormous explosion. They are also used to enhance previously filmed elements, by adding, removing or enhancing objects within the scene. The Special Fffects Co-ordinator implements these effects, and directs them with the help of the visual effects art director

Visual effects art director

In the context of film and television production, a visual effects art director is responsible for conceptualizing and designing visual effects shots. They are charged with making creative and aesthetic choices for visual effects. Although the role is generally more creative in nature, most...

. The task of the Effects co-ordinator differs frequently, and can range from extensive over-the-top special effects to basic computer motion graphics animation.

External links

Advice and Information into Media Runners'
Breaking Into Production: How To Get Your First PA Job
A Few Things I Learned From My First Experience as a Production Assistant An editorialized synopsis of the production departments, from the perspective of a Production Assistant.

The source of this article is wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. The text of this article is licensed under the GFDL.

Pre-production

Casting Director

Costume designer

Director

Location Manager

Make-up artist

Production designer

Researcher

Set designer

Television Producer

Writer

Head writer

Screenwriter

Story editor

Production

A2

Boom operator

Camera Operator/Cinematographer/Videographer

Character Generator Operator/Aston/Chyron Operator

Floor Manager

Graphics Coordinator

Stage Manager

Gaffer

Grip (job)

Gallery/Control Room Team

Production Manager

Production Assistant

Runner

Stunt Coordinator

Technical director

Television director - Director

Video Control Operator/Vision Engineering

Video Tape Operator

Vision Mixer

Post-production

Composer

Editor

Foley artist

Post-Production Runner

Publicist

Sound editor

Title sequence designer

ADR editor

Bluescreen Director/Matte Artist

Special effects co-ordinator

See also

External links