The production department consists of a wide array of personnel needed to keep the production on track and on schedule. Various tasks throughout this department may include hiring, script breakdown, organizing gear and crew, budgeting, expense tracking, payroll, contract handling or other office duties needed to complete the production from a day- to- day basis.
photo by: Steve Van NessThe 1st assistant director works with both the production manager and the director to make the shooting schedule efficient as possible. The 1st A.D. breaks the script down into a shooting schedule and also helps manage the scheduling of talent, crew and equipment needed for each shooting day. This person sometimes helps direct the background extras in a scene.
photo by: ©bobcarmichael.comThe director is the leading creative artist on a movie set. The director works directly with the actors on their performances and has final creative control on almost every aspect of the the film. The director plays a large role in casting, script revisions, shot composing and even editing. Usually, the director is hired by the producer of the film.
photo by: Brooke JohnsonThe 2nd unit director is the leading creative artist for the 2nd unit which films additional smaller scenes and b-roll separately from the main production. The 2nd unit director is in charge of all additional scenes needed for filming. Many times this includes beauty shots and other types of landscape photography that usually excludes the main actors.
photo by: Justin GriesingerThe line producer supervises the entire budget of the movie. Expenses may include celebrity salaries as well as daily costs like location and equipment rentals. The production manager reports to the line producer the current expenses and needs of the production on an ongoing basis.
photo by: Steve Van NessThe producer helps organize the entire production. This person helps develop the script into a workable project. They assist with the hiring of actors and key crew members, while keeping track of finances throughout the production. The producer oversees script progress and often assists in creating final distribution plans for the movie.
photo by: Steve Van NessMany individuals start their careers in the film industry as a production assistant. A production assistant usually does any general duty or minor task that the production heads may need. Basic duties may include dispersing walkie-talkies, setting up pop-up tents and tables, running basic errands as needed or attaining any other last-minute item that the production might need. It is essential that the P.A. has their own transportation to perform these various errands.
photo by: Steve Van NessA production coordinator is responsible for coordinating the "behind the scenes" logistics, which can include renting equipment, hiring crew members, and coordinating talent. In addition, this crew member may handle the paperwork needed to organize the production. For this reason, the production coordinator is an important crew member in ensuring a production's goals are on budget and on time.
photo by: Brooke JohnsonThe production manager works closely with the production coordinator. This person helps supervise the organization and distribution of the production budget, crew & equipment scheduling, salaries, day rates, and other office related paperwork. This person reports budget needs to the line producer, while trying to keep the production under budget on a day to day basis.
