AN INTRODUCTION TO FILMMAKING: learning the steps, stages, categories, processes, and players
A film crew can be described as the entire group of people that comprise a film project. They are typically hired by what is called a production company, and hired for the purpose of creating a film, motion picture, or television project. Each person is hired for his or her own unique skill set, and these skills are a necessary part of the film production. Within the film project there are two different areas:
- Cast
- Crew
The cast is easily distinguished from the crew because cast are the people that appear in front of the camera. They are also called talent. They are such people as: actors, actresses, extras, stand in, and voice overs. The crew are the hired professionals that handle things like, filming, lighting, sound, hair and makeup, and so much more. Additionally crew is separate from the producers. The producers are the individuals that own a portion of either the film company or the film’s intellectual property rights. A film is divided into different departments, each specializing in a unique area of the film production.
A Motion picture production has three distinct stages:
- Development
- Production
- Distribution.
To make things a little more complicated there are also different categories within each of the above stages. Let's break this down. Within the production there are three stages -
- Pre production
- Principle photography, Production
- Post production.
ABOVE THE LINE and BELOW THE LINE
Distinctions are also made between above the line and below the line personnel. Above the line are the producers and directors, they are the people that begin right at the beginning, and below the line crew only work within the production stage.
- Screenwriter
- Script
- Producers
- Director
- Insurance - below the line but at the beginning.
Unions
- Sag • Aftra
- I.A.T.S.E.
- Teamsters
Cast
- Lead Actors - above the line
- Co Stars
- Day Players
- Stand ins
- Extras
- Featured Extras
Executive Producer
Line Producer
Unit Production Manager
Assistant Director AD’S (first AD)
- 2nd AD
- 2nd 2nd (AD)
- Production assistants
Crew
Casting Director
Director Of Photography
- Cameras
- First Assistant Camera (AC)
- Second AC
- Loader
- Focus Puller
- Digital Imaging Technician (DIT)
- Steadicam operator
- Camera Assistant
Production Designer
Set Designer
- Leadman
- Set dressers/Swing Gang
- Art Department
- Supervising Art Director
- Art Director
- First Assistant Art Director
- Draughtsman
- Concept Artist
- Graphic Artist
- Storyboard Artist
- Model Maker
- Art Department Coordinator
- Swing gang - also call set dressers
- Buyer
Construction Department
Construction manager (coordinator)
- Head Carpenter
- Carpenters
- Painter
- Plasterer
- Sculptor
- Set design/construction
Props
Sound Dept
- Sound Mixer
- Sound assistant
- Boom operator
Gaffer or Cheif Lightening designer
Locations
Hair
Makeup
Stunt and stunt doubles if needed
Transport
- Honey Wagons and Trailers
- Security
Script Supervisor
Catering
Principal Photography
- Post Facilities
- Editor
- Editor assistant
Music Supervisor
Color
- Color Correction
- Color Grading
Lock Picture
Distribution Company
Sales
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