Film Heirarchy

Here is a brief description taken from a seminar I attended, which will help you understand better the way a film set is run.

Film Producers Seminar

Essentials for the IndieProducer

Film Crew Structure

Producers
What do they do and why are there so many of them?
How do they apply to my independent production?

-Development
Producer- creative producers- bought or have a script, bring to marketplace
Writer
Agent/actors
Director (if attached with the project)

-Financing (includes Distributors/studio)
Executive Producer (probably brings money to the project)
Associate Producer (Agent or money person, trainer, etc)
Co-Producer (“in association with” the film)
Distributors and studios usually kill ammt of producers cause it looks weird.
Distributors bring the ability to get money. Without it you will probably not get money.

-Production
Line Producer – (the point at which all the creative gets translated in to dollars. Does the budget, schedule, and presents the entire
cost.) Should be consulted to
for cost of film if you are going to pitch to a studio. Negotiator between Director and Production heads. Line Producer has a general
knowledge of basically everything so they know how much it costs.
-Post Production
Post Producer (Line Producer still on call every once in a while because he is still in charge.)

Music video
Producer – Record company
Agency has come up with the creative

Director is part of a production company and is hired because of how the company treats products.
Line Producer – Music Video is working for budget effectiveness.
Line Producer- commercial is working to make the budget effective in cost and profit.

Who’s in Control?

Creative vs. Cost

-Development
Producer
Writer
Agent
-Financing (includes Distributor/studio)
Executive Producer
Associate Producer
Co-Producer

Most of the concern is still about creative at this point, keeping in mind cost.

-Production
Director, Line Producer, Bond Company (responsible for the financiers, can kick you to the curb if they think you are not doing your job
correctly.)
-Post Production
Run by Producer, and Executive Producers and the Exec Accountant.

Who’s in Control during Production?

Production Crew (office)
Line Producer
UPM (Unit Production Manager)/Production Supervisor (is non union)
Production Coordinator (toughest job on the set. All paperwork goes through this person. Highly organized person that wants to
work all the time, cause that’s what they do.)
APOC
Production Assistants

Production Crew (set)
Line Producer
UPM/Production Supervisor (Same person as the office person, hires everyone personally)
Assistant Director (is in charge on set)
2nd AD (does all the paperwork and call sheets, time cards, etc)
2nd 2nd AD Goes between set and 2nd AD
Production Assistants

On Set
Director (or 2nd unit director)
The set is owned by the directors’ whim.
Assistant director (don’t spend weeks on projects for music videos and commercials. Usually just organizes and on set.)
The AD and staff schedule and organize the set. (keeps the director on schedule)
The AD is the primary person for shooting information.

Stunt Coordinator
The Stunt coordinator works closely with the AD to ensure the action shooting is safe. Even with pyrotechnics and special
effects.
(gives another level of responsibility. Kind of like a fire marshal. Insurance company would like you to have these on set to
cover there butts)

On Set

Camera, Grip, Electric
Director of Photography ( in union is not allowed to run a camera unless given a waiver. Commercials and Music vids might
have a DP on a camera sometimes, but still have to have a waiver)
Camera Operator(s)
DIT (Digital Imaging Technicial)
DAM (Data Asset Manager)
1st Asst Camera
Gaffer (rigging gaffer)
Best Boy Electric
Key Grip (rigging key grip)
Best Boy Grip
Dolly Grip
Art Department
Production Designer (coming up with a look)
Art director (implementing the plan)
Construction coordinator (hires crews)
Set Decorator

Software-
“Synchronize” same layout as movie magic
scenechronize.com