Producer -The Producer is often the first person to get involved in a project. Or they may be the agent-style Producer who focuses on the deal. The many responsibilities of the Producer span all four phases of production. In the Development stage, Producers are often responsible for coming up with the idea for a production, or selecting a screenplay. Producers secure the rights, choose the screenwriter and story editing team. They raise the development financing and supervise the development process. In pre-production, Producers bring together the key members of the creative team. This includes the Director, Cinematographer and Production Designer and key cast members. They help the Executive Producers to raise money for the production. Once the initial finance is in place, they select other key production office workers and Heads of Departments.
Director - Directors are responsible for creatively translating the film's written script into actual images and sounds on the screen. They are ultimately responsible for a film's artistic and commercial success or failure. They may write the film's script or commission it to be written, or they may be hired after an early draft of the script is complete. They must then develop a vision for the finished film and work out how to achieve it. During pre-production, Directors make crucial decisions, such as selecting the right cast, crew and locations for the film. They then direct rehearsals and the performances of the actors once the film is in production. They also manage the technical aspects of filming including the camera, sound, lighting, design and special effects departments. During post production, Directors work closely with editors through the many technical processes of editing, to reach the final cut or version of the film.
Camera Operator - Camera Operators carry out the director of photography's (DoP) and director's instructions for shot composition and development. They are usually the first people to use the camera's eyepiece to assess how all the elements of performance, art direction, lighting, composition and camera movement come together to create the cinematic experience.Camera Operators usually start at the end of pre-production and attend technical recces with other Heads of Department. They work closely with the Director of Photography and are responsible for the First Assistant Camera and Second Assistant Camera. After the Director and DoP have rehearsed and blocked the shots, the Camera Operator and DoP decide where to position the camera and what lenses and supporting equipment to use. Camera Operators work with Heads of Department, and keep them informed about how the position and movement of the camera might impact on their work. During shooting, operators are responsible for all aspects of camera operation, allowing the DoP to concentrate on lighting and overall visual style. They make sure the camera and equipment are prepared for the required set-ups and ready for any last-minute changes.
Storyboard Artist - Storyboard Artists get the screenplay and from this turn it into lots of drawings like a comic book. This helps the director get a clear idea of exactly what they want to achieve and shows what’s needed, e.g., prosthetics for make-up, Computer Generated Images (CGI) for visual effects, props for the art department etc. Storyboards are mostly needed for films that have large amounts of action and CGI, where complex chase, fight or battle scenes need to be visualised and planned before being filmed. Many big budget feature films are storyboarded before shooting begins.
Sound engineer - A sound engineer works with the technical aspects of sound during the processes of recording. Audio engineers often assist record producer and musicians to help give their work the sound they are hoping to achieve. For example, an audio engineer will piece together parts of audio, use auto-tune on a recording, and/or add synthetic sounds to a track. Audio engineers are different from producers. However, some audio engineers go on with their careers to double as producers or assume the role of producer.
Set Designer - The set designer works with the director and tries to achieve their image of the film., They will design what a director wants a set to look like and how it will function. The set needs to function to work with the actors and what happens in the script. They are a big part of the designing process because what they design will appear on film so it needs to suit the era and style of the film and make it look professional and realistic.
Actor - Actors interpret others' words in order to bring a script to life, and to put flesh and blood on the characters they portray. Theirs is the public face of a production, representing many others' work and efforts. The actor in the film is hired by the producer and is selected from auditions by the casting team. The actor needs to suit the criteria of the film and the character they play. They will rehearse the lines and work with the director on the script. They will try to achieve what is written down but the director will ultimately be responsible of how they want an actor to deliver a line or act in a scene.
