60 Film Production Roles & What They Each Do - Actor's Guide

[@donohueproductions7058]

When you work on backcountry indie films and every person is 5 of these roles at any given time😂

[@AugmentedActor]

Right? Yeah it’s a different ballgame on small indies or student films. In fact I’ve rarely worked on a set large enough to have all these roles broken out into different people.

[@Lutefisk_lover]

This was EXACTLY what I’ve been looking for. Thanks so much for explaining all those roles so well and thoroughly. I would love to hang around a film set just to observe the process.

[@AugmentedActor]

You should try and find some local student or indie films that are being shot in your area and ask if you can shadow someone on set or if you're an actor, try searching for extra work in your area. That's a great way to see what happens on a set and possibly end up in the film.

[@MrGraemeb2022]

As a relatively new SA I have found that your explanation has significantly assisted in enabling me to understand how the whole process works. Really useful, thank you very much .

[@AugmentedActor]

That's so great to hear. I'm happy that you found the video useful.

[@igorsauchuk7724]

Another beautiful lesson I put notes in my notebook as we call it KONSPECT while studying with you as usual your nice school

[@AugmentedActor]

Thanks!!

[@LadyK007]

This was amazing!!! Thank you so much for sharing!

[@AugmentedActor]

Thanks for watching. I’m glad you enjoyed it.

[@CliffDivine]

Beautiful video, great content, amazing visuals, great choices of music. You are educational, entertaining and you make the magic of filmmaking alive! 💫

[@AugmentedActor]

High praise. Thanks so much for your comment.

[@CliffDivine]

@@AugmentedActor You're very welcome!

[@nickoletallen3744]

This was a fun way to learn about the roles on a movie set! The paintings are so inspiring, and so are you. Thank you!

[@AugmentedActor]

Thank you!!

[@IndyAtlanticCity]

Thank you - I never deal with other departments so I get them mixed up and it’s embarrassing. I’m going to memorize them 👍🏽

[@AugmentedActor]

I still forget what a lot of folks do as well. Some of these I didn't even know about when I was researching this episode.

[@jeremeyadamrey]

So helpful!!! I'm making A short film and this is fantastic. Thank you.

[@AugmentedActor]

That's great. Best of luck on the film!

[@faxymanmedia]

So educative, I learnt new things as a filmmaker

[@AugmentedActor]

Thanks. I'm glad the video helped

[@binyaminbass]

Very nice to have it all explained. (Those Midjourney images didn't age well.)

[@AugmentedActor]

Yeah, the images were old a few minutes after publishing, but it was the hot new things at the time. :)

[@HenryRaviolli]

You are always on point. Amazing content, thank you!

[@AugmentedActor]

Thanks Henry!

[@PropanePete]

This was really interesting.

[@AugmentedActor]

I’m glad you found it interesting.

[@smallpotatoes3737]

Hi, I’m looking into working on the props department in films in the future. Could you make a video on the description of every single job in the prop department, that would be really helpful

[@AugmentedActor]

Unfortunately I don’t have enough direct experience with prop making to make an informed video about that subject. But props people need to be able to work with all different physical media from woodworking, molding, makeup, lighting/electric, metal work, upholstery, sewing, and even just shopping and finding antiques or cheap products that can be altered. Or going to yard sales. I would just start by making stuff yourself or trying to mimic props you see in movies. Make fun costume pieces for Halloween. Learn a few hands on crafts.

[@smallpotatoes3737]

@@AugmentedActor ok, thank you for your help

[@EbonyPowell]

God bless you for this cheat sheet.

[@AugmentedActor]

Thanks, glad you find it useful.

[@Jaspstudio]

There is a bit of confusion on props and set dressing...i do both, and prop master does not get furniture or anything that an actor, main or background, does not interact or uses....it can get a bit complicated in smaller or indy films but furniture and books utensils as stated, is set dressing... it actor grabs it or uses it in the scene then its props. Not to say if an actor sits in a chair...it doesn't become a prop, unless the actor grabs it an throws it or uses it in another way.... Like i said it can confusing. Even other departments with years in the industry confuse the responsabilities and job of prop and set dressing

[@AugmentedActor]

Fully understand what you’re saying. It also goes for costumes and props. If a person puts on a tool belt in a scene, is that a prop or a costume? But generally it fits your description. It’s a prop if it’s used by an actor and it’s set dressing if it just sits there. I appreciate your input and clarifications.

[@ryaneliasbaker]

Excellent video. Thank you, Doug.

[@AugmentedActor]

Thanks, you’re welcome!

[@عيسىالانسي-ل4م]

You’re really amazing ❤ thanks for sharing these information

[@AugmentedActor]

Thank you and you’re welcome.

[@CosmicFox808]

This is so helpful, thank you!

[@AugmentedActor]

You're welcome!

[@textingpuppy751]

You sound just like mitchell pritchett voice wise but also thanks for this video it's great!

[@AugmentedActor]

Haha I don't really watch modern family but I guess I can hear the resemblance. Thanks for watching!

[@mikerickard2434]

Thank you! Very helpful info.

[@AugmentedActor]

You’re welcome. Thanks for watching!

[@cristinaanselmo438]

Absolutely love the art you’ve used ❤

[@AugmentedActor]

Thanks. It all happens to be AI generated artwork. That’s why there are several weird impressionistic glitches in it.

[@curtiscaliber]

Great video

[@AugmentedActor]

Thanks!!

[@talktalk4503]

Great vid. What's the avg pay for each of those roles? Thx

[@AugmentedActor]

It can vary widely depending on the film budget. And I don't really have a great idea of how much in particular most of these roles pay. I have found that crew positions often command a larger rate than most acting positions but I don't work much on large budget sets. You can make decent money on a lot of these roles, especially the larger roles, like producer, director, 1st AD, cinematographer, etc.

[@talktalk4503]

@@AugmentedActor noted w thx

[@Danny-fs1hk]

Excellent

[@AugmentedActor]

Thanks

[@KhalidHamdan31]

That was really useful 🙏🏼

[@AugmentedActor]

I'm glad you found it useful!

[@linuskentr]

your shutterspeed seems a bit low there sir

[@AugmentedActor]

Yeah you’re right. I was using a new camera and monitor set up for that shoot and ended up getting a very moody looking image which looked deceptively brighter on my monitor. Shit happens. It’s my noir phase. Haha

[@Mayannaise4]

lmao I'm a VFX student and I'm about half of these roles for one of our films. 😅😂

[@AugmentedActor]

Yeah for sure in smaller productions people wear multiple hats. Even in some professional shoots they do t have this many different roles.

[@selimutipis]

why are you on 20 fps? 😅😂

[@lescanlescan]

With all due respect, I think you need to spend more time researching your role as authoritarian on the myriad of positions and responsibilities on a professional set. You got some things right but missed the mark in so many ways. For example, as a Production Designer, which is essentially head of the entire Art Department Team I think you missed a pretty important player in this game of film production. The PD is responsible for bringing together in a visually cohesive and cost effective way, all those departments that gather everything that makes the physical world appear real in front of the camera. Set Design, Set Dec, Props, Carpentry, Costumes, Locations, historical research, color theory, lighting, special effects, and so forth are all areas that either come under the supervision of the PD, or are dramatically influenced by the decisions the Production Designer makes with the Director and Cinematographer. Skipping the inclusion of this crucial role in a production of any meaningful size is akin to parking your underlying departments in separate silos each doing their own thing. Sure you might get something, but you won't get something great nor cohesive nor timely. Without the Production Designer you would have a Director telling actors what to do in either an empty or incoherent space while the Cinematographer points a camera into the void looking for something interesting to fill the lens. Without the Production Designer, the space in which the actor creates their character either succeeds or fails. Yes, the Production Designer may not be on set while you are acting past the first or second day since we are always working ahead, but without the Production Designer I can assure you, there would be no set for you to act within. As to the placement in your You Tube Video, the Production Designer is often hired well in advance of any crew members and most often brought on by the Director alongside the Cinematographer right at the very start of a project. Many times I have worked on productions where the very first meetings and discussions included only the Producer, the Director and myself even before the Cinematographer had been hired. Yes we are of the Art Department but we are truly part of the Production Team. There are many many other roles that you either glossed over or skipped entirely but I will let the others who come across your video speak to those.

[@AugmentedActor]

Thanks for pointing out this critical omission from my list of film set roles. My research included several websites and my own experience on sets of various sizes. But admittedly, I don't have complete insight into every aspect of all these roles and am merely trying to give a broad overview for those who've never worked on a set. My sources obviously didn't include a production designer or I would have included it myself. And seeing as how the PD doesn't spend much time on set, you can see from an actor's perspective how I might have overlooked that role (even though it does play an ultra important in the cohesiveness amongst the various other roles). Others have already corrected me on a few roles in the comments, clarifying things I've left out or correcting me on things I didn't get quite right, so it's a learning opportunity for me. So thanks for bring attention to the production designer role. I'm hoping the video has enough value to some people despite the various omissions and mistakes.

[@Mnr.222]

Geez… no love for teamsters? How do you think every single department gets their equipment? How do you think everything and everyone is transported to and from locations? Who do you think are the first ones on set and last ones to leave? Teamsters. Also, one of the highest paying jobs on set.

[@AugmentedActor]

Wow, huge oversight on my part. Somehow when I was putting this list together, no one else included the teamsters in their lists of crew members. Thanks so much for pointing out the omission and definitely, Teamsters ROCK!!

[@guyjperson]

That's a TERRIBLE description of a Grip. Set Dec moves couches. Grips are like field engineers. We are responsible for quick platforms, rigging of light placements not on a stand and camera emplacements. We control and shape light. The Best Boy is responsible for ordering and controlling manpower and equipment. Some never leave the truck.

[@AugmentedActor]

Thanks for the correction! I have only limited experience in some of these roles from indie films I've worked on as an actor and the rest comes from various internet sources, which obviously have led me astray. I wish I could correct that section in the video, but hopefully others will read your comment and get a better description.

[@guyjperson]

@@AugmentedActor Glad I could help.

[@G_Gued]

@@AugmentedActorstep one of working production side: don’t piss off the Grips. If there’s anyone that can stage your death to look like an accident, it’s those crazy mofos.

[@AugmentedActor]

@@G_Gued haha. It's best not to piss of any of the crew.

[@katiebrady6122]

Great info but the AI images are cursed

[@AugmentedActor]

Thanks and yes made this back in the early days of ai image generation. Just trying something new.

[@phylysjuengling6439]

👍 p̶r̶o̶m̶o̶s̶m̶

[@AugmentedActor]

Not sure I understand this. But thanks!

[@schabak2907]

Bro losing fps

[@AugmentedActor]

Bro, I know. Too late to change it.

[@MarloMitchell]

The fps on this video is awful lol

[@AugmentedActor]

Haha. The video itself is 30fps. But I probably shot the talking head portion in 24 fps I think I had just started using a new canon camera and didn’t know what the heck I was doing. And of course when you talk for two hours, you really don’t feel like reshooting. Hopefully most of my other videos won’t hurt your brain with motion trails.

[@MarloMitchell]

@@AugmentedActor interesting, i would think a short test clip would be created before creating a full length video. Good luck in your future videos, I enjoyed the info.