Production Roles

Production Roles for TV and Film

-Director

Directors have an overall responsibility for the way films or television programmes are created. As a director, creativity, organisational skills and technical knowledge are needed to manage the whole production process. In order to be an effective director for TV or film you will need the ability to lead and motivate other members of a production team as what you say goes, as a director you must be exceptionally good and have decision making ability. As a director you will also need to be in a creative and imaginative mindset, you will also need the skill of leadership as it the most important job, directors tend to lead and motivate others into getting a task done right and successfully. A decent director also has to have good time management and budget awareness as well good communication skills. Being a director is one of the most if not the most important job role in a production role, all production skills especially leadership is needed to become a successful director for TV and film.                             

-Producer

A TV or film producer looks after the business side of a production, leaving the director and the crew to concentrate on other production work. The job includes pitching new ideas for projects, securing funding and rights for books and screenplays, and managing budgets. In order to be a successful TV or film producer you must have solid experience in the film or TV industry and a good knowledge of the production process. An important skill that a producer must is excellent communication and people skills as well as a good eye for outstanding creativity and vision when presenting and negotiating with other productive individuals. A producer has very similar roles to a TV or film director, a producer must show leadership skills and management ability in order to pursue good planning and organizational skills, as well as this a producer needs to know to manage financial aspects and budget awareness as well as show confidence and motivation.

-Runner

As a runner in the film and TV industry, you would work behind the scenes and do any small jobs and basic tasks necessary to help the production run smoothly. In order to be a successful runner you must have basic skills and understand that you must have the willingness and enthuasuium to take on any task. Like every production role you must have good communication skills and be very good listener to what people require, you also need excellent organisational and time management skills’ in addition to this you must have motivation, flexibility and have the ability to work well under pressure, in order to work long hours when necessary.

-Makeup

As make-up artist’s job role would be to apply make-up and style hair for anyone appearing in front of a camera or a live audience. A makeup artist could be employed to work in film, television, theatre, concerts, photographic sessions or fashion shows. To be a successful a range of skills and interest are needed to stay focused in the role. Some skills needed to become a makeup artist are: to have a creative and imaginative mindset, good communication skills, stamina determination and concentration, and also to be patient. A make up artist also has to have the ability to work well under pressure and have excellent punctuality and reliability.

-Lighting

Lighting technicians produce the lighting effects for many productions whether that being in theatre, concerts and conferences, or in film and TV productions. A lighting technician job role could range from basic spotlighting for conferences or presentations to operating strobes, lasers and pyrotechnics.  A lighting technician can implement their role at concerts and theatres or when providing lighting for film or TV studios and locations. A good lighting technician will have exceptional knowledge of electrical systems and electronics and like all other production roles they must have good communication skills. Other skills that are needed in order to be a fitting lighting technician is the ability to follow technical and design instructions as well as have the awareness of health an safety. A lighting technician must also have a physical stamina and a head for heights and have the willingness to work irregular hours.

-Talent

The Talent Booker contracts the appropriate performers to star in a production. The Talent Booker follows viewer trends to ensure that the most popular celebrities are featured, and he or she also works with talent agencies to discover new talent. (similar job role to a casting director).

-Camera operator

Camera operators record images for film, television, commercials and music videos. They use a range of different cameras for filming and they follow instructions given to them by the production’s director or the director of photography. Their work includes setting up equipment, planning shots, and sorting out technical and lighting issues. A camera operator has to have the ability to carry out instructions accurately, and have attention to detail a good camera operator will have good colour vision and have excellent levels of stamina. For holding equipment and moving equipment for long working hours. An operator has to have the patience and concentration in order to get a good shot; A camera operator is similar to a photographer except they have a lot more responsibilities on their hands. They need good practical skills and knowledge of camera equipment an interest in photography, film and video to become a camera operator. This production role is important as without it we the viewer could not view anything on screen, or at least if the operator isn’t correctly trained we would see an unprofessional viewing of a show, film or television show, which is why it is important to have all the skills listed above in order to become a professional camera operator.

-Cable basher

On a multi-camera shoot, each camera is joined to the OB truck by a long cable carrying power, signal and communications. For hand held cameras (which need to move around) to pick up shots. It’s  very common to have an extra member of the crew on board known as the cable basher; this particular production role involves keeping the cable behind cameras and camera operators in order for them to not be hindered in their movement.

Sound

-Autocue Operator

The autocue operator works the autocue machine, which provides presenters with the script they need to read on live television shows, events and news shows. The Autocue Operator ensures that the script is not going too fast or too slow for the presenter. Skills and autocue operator has is to make sure that the presenter can read of the autocue machine and makes sure it is the right speed for the individual, it is important for this to be checked and monitored over by the autocue operator to be aware that is is running smoothly for the presenter reading off it.

Vision Mixer

Vision mixers cut camera shots together in any show that is recorded on multiple cameras. This can include studio shows and outside broadcasts, whether pre-recorded or lives. They sit next to the director in the gallery and operate a vision mixing desk. They cut and mix between shots, play in taped items and overlay graphics, all on the instructions of the director.

A vision mixer must have the ability to work on a range of different vision mixing equipment and have the ability to stay calm and react quickly when under pressure. An important skill a vision mixer must have is confidence, It is important to be confident in order to deal with unforeseen circumstances when they arise, in addition to this you must all have excellent organizational abilities and have the ability to multitask for this particular production role. Vision mixers edit programmes (transmitted or recorded) using a variety of methods and techniques; they join together images, film and graphic video effects. A vision mixer in charge majorly on making the programme, film or show look good, and by doing so with a variety of methods given by the director.

Floor

-Floor Manager

Television and floor managers make sure that sets, props and technical equipment are safe, ready to use and in the right position prior to filming. A floor manager is in charge of everything before the director yells action, so before this everything on set must be working and ready, and this is the floor managers job to make sure of this. Some of the job roles a floor manager is required to do are: checking the equipment is working, keeping the director and producer aware of action off camera, overseeing the work of other departments in the production such as sound, lighting and props and another job role a floor manager is required to do is controlling the studio, location or set and stopping a production if necessary. A floor manager is crucial to have as a crew member in a production because without one would leave un organized production with no awareness of what goes on within it, a floor manager is also important to have as this particular role is in charge of passing information and progress reports to directors, which is crucial as directors have to be aware of everything that goes on so floor managers to have on a production team.