The short answer
A crew is organized in departments, each with a head who answers to the director for creative matters and to the producer for money and time. On a small shoot one person may hold several roles; the responsibilities still exist.
The departments and their key roles
| Department | Key roles | Responsible for |
|---|---|---|
| Production | Producer, line producer, production manager, production coordinator, production assistants | Money, contracts, logistics, schedule, paperwork |
| Direction | Director, first assistant director, second assistant director, script supervisor | The creative vision; running the set; continuity |
| Camera | Director of photography, camera operator, first and second assistant camera, digital imaging technician | The image: framing, focus, exposure, media |
| Lighting | Gaffer, best boy electric, electricians | Lighting and power |
| Grip | Key grip, best boy grip, dolly grip | Camera support, rigging, shaping light |
| Sound | Production sound mixer, boom operator | Clean dialogue and sound on set |
| Art | Production designer, art director, set decorator, props master | Everything the camera sees that is not a person |
| Wardrobe, hair and make-up | Costume designer, wardrobe supervisor, key make-up artist, key hair stylist | How performers look, with continuity |
| Locations | Location manager, location scout | Finding, securing and protecting places |
| Post-production | Editor, assistant editor, sound designer, composer, colorist, post-production supervisor | Turning footage into the finished film |
How a small crew doubles up
On a corporate or documentary shoot of five people, the producer is also production manager and coordinator, the director of photography operates and lights with one assistant, and one person records sound. Naming who covers which responsibility, even informally, prevents the classic gap: everyone assumed someone else booked the parking.
Titles change with the country
North American, British and French sets do not divide the work in the same way, and Québec mixes the traditions. If you co-produce, compare job descriptions, not titles.
Roles in CrewDesk
CrewDesk does not try to model every job title. It uses four access roles that match the production office: Producer, Coordinator, Production assistant and Crew. A person's craft, such as gaffer or editor, is information on the project team; their role decides what they can see and change.
Terms used on this page
First assistant directorLine producerPost-productionProduction assistantProduction coordinator