Job roles in the industry

Job roles in the industry

In this blog i will be talking about the different types of job roles in the Film & TV industry, there are 3 main departments in the industry; Management, Creative & Technological.

 

Management

 

Casting Director

There are a lot of different jobs that include a managerial role but i am going to talk about 3. The first one is a Casting Director, Casting Directors organise the casting of actors for all the roles in a film, they will work closely with the Director & Producer so they can get an understanding of the requirements needed. They will also arrange and conduct interviews for auditions, once the parts are cast, the Casting Director will then negotiate fees and contracts for the actors and act as a go-between the Director, the actors and their agents.

 

Producer

Producers have overall control on every aspect of a film's production, bringing together and approving the selection of the whole production team. Their main responsibility is to manage an environment in which the talents of the cast and crew can work comfortably.

 

Line Producer

The Line Producer is one of the first people to be employed on a film's production by the Producer and Executive Producers. Line Producers are hardly ever involved in the development of the project, but often play an important role in costing the production in order to provide investors with the confidence to invest in the project. As soon as the money has been raised, the Line Producer supervises the preparation of the film's budget, and the day-to-day planning and running of the production. Line Producers are usually employed on a freelance basis. They must expect to work long hours, though the role can be very good financially. Career advancement is based on their experience and reputation. If a Line Producer has a creative input to the production, he or she is often credited as a Co-producer.

 

Creative

 

Script Writer

Screenwriters are responsible for researching the story, developing the narrative, writing the screenplay, and delivering it in the required format to Development Executives. Screenwriters have great influence over the creative direction and emotional impact of the screenplay and the finished film. They are almost always freelancers who either pitch original ideas to Producers in the hope that they will be optioned or sold, or who are commissioned by a Producer to create a screenplay from a concept, true story, existing screenwork or literary work, such as a novel, play, comic book or short story.

 

Art Director

Art Directors act as project managers for the biggest department on any film which is the Art Department. They facilitate the Production Designer's creative vision for all the locations and sets. Art Directors are responsible for the Art Department budget and schedule of work, and help the Production Designer to maximise the money allocated to the department. Art Directors are usually requested by the Production Designer, and are responsible for the Assistant Art Director, the Draughtsman and all Construction personnel. Art Directors must find practical solutions to creative problems while simultaneously monitoring the budget. Many Art Directors work on television drama and commercials, as well as on films. The hours are long and the job can involve long periods working away from home. Art Directors work on a freelance basis.

 

Director

Directors are responsible for creatively translating the film's written script into actual images and sounds on the screen - he or she must visualise and define the style and structure of the film.

A Directors main duties include casting, script editing, shot composition, shot selection and editing.  While the practical aspects of filmmaking, such as finance and marketing, are left to the Producer, Directors must also always be aware of the constraints of the film's budget and schedule.

Technological

 

Editor

Editors work closely with the Director before shooting begins, deciding how to maximise the potential of the screenplay. On the first day of principal photography, Editors begin work in the cutting room (sometimes on location). During the post production period, the Editor and the Director work closely together, refining the assembly edit into the Director's Cut, which must be approved by the Producers, until they achieve picture lock or Fine Cut (when the Director and/or Executive Producer give final approval of the picture edit). Editors usually work in a supervisory role during the subsequent music and track laying, and sound mix.

 

Camera Operator

Camera Operators ensure that the camera and associated equipment are prepared for the required set-ups, always keeping alert for any last-minute changes. They must be able to multi-task, and to watch, listen and think on their feet while carrying out complex technical tasks. They liaise closely with the Director, fine-tuning the exact details of each shot, which often involves suggesting creative improvements or alternatives. They supervise the logistics of moving the camera, and oversee the Camera maintenance work carried out by the Focus Puller and the 2nd AC.

 

Re-recording Mixer

Re-Recording Mixers, formerly known as Dubbing Mixers, work with all the sound elements and mix them together to create the final soundtrack. They are primarily responsible for ensuring that film sound is correct both technically and stylistically. Re-Recording Mixers’ first task on films is usually mixing the soundtrack for audience previews. Typically, this involves an intense period of time spent in the dubbing studio, where the they work at large mixing consoles, mixing and smoothing out the sound, often adding a temporary music soundtrack prepared by the Music Editor. Re-Recording Mixers must work quickly, to extremely high standards