Who's on Set: Breaking Down the Roles of a Video Production Crew
Understanding a video production crew line-up is vital for clients to know what they're paying for and why.
Image: Noble Bison Production crew on set
Today, we'll be breaking down the crew members you find on the set of a professional video production shoot. The video production crew line-up is noteworthy for clients because they can understand what they're paying for and why. Some people wonder about the purpose of all these people, but each person focuses on their specific role, so no part of the production gets pushed to the wayside.
Video production crews come in many sizes depending on the scope and type of production. A video won't be better just because there are many people on set. Sometimes, it only takes a couple of talented people to create something spectacular. Commercial video production requires a few key roles, at minimum, to produce a quality video. Each position makes up the foundation of video: picture, light, and sound. You'll see below how every role works in conjunction with the other to achieve their shared goal of creating a stunning video. Each job is a craft in and of itself that takes years of learning and experience to do it well.
Take, for example, Tyler Kaschke, who was responsible for lighting a recent commercial shoot. Look at this image he posted where he breaks down balancing natural and artificial lighting in the scene we shot below.
This image is basically a foreign language for someone not well-versed in this industry. But if you're interested in learning about it, see his post here. Tyler's photo is just one example that highlights how specialized these roles are in video production.
“Not all directors, DPs, and gaffers come equal. ”
Hopefully, you can see now why production companies hire a specific person for the job who may charge more than someone who is less experienced. We want to ensure that we do it correctly and well, and that's dependent on the talent and knowledge each person has to apply to the project. Now, let’s get into which roles are needed on the set of a professional shoot and for what.
Breaking Down
the
Roles of a Video Production Crew
- Producer
- Director
- Assistant Director (AD)
- Cinematographer (DP)
- Assistant Camera (AC)
- Grip & Electric
- Sound Technician
- And More
Producer
Producers oversee the entire production, from pre-production to post. Though they are not distinctively part of the video production "crew," they make the decisions and manage the details to ensure the production will happen in the first place, which includes selecting and hiring the following crew members.
Director
Image: DP Troy Ten Eyck (on left) and Director Jeff Riley (on right)
The director leads the creative process. They work with the producer to develop the shooting style and camera shots. They choreograph and direct clients and talent on the production set, e.g., where to stand, how to act, expressions, body movement, etc. They may also work with clients and talent before a shoot for a better workflow. And depending on the project, directors can also get involved with casting talent and giving input on the script.
Assistant Director (AD)
The Assistant Director is responsible for the communication between the director and the rest of the crew. Their role is to essentially run the shoot, coordinating with each department head to make sure everything is running according to the schedule (based on the shot list).
Cinematographer (DP)
The Cinematographer or DP (Director of Photography) is the main camera operator. They are responsible for the project's overall look, such as framing, angles, lighting, and color. The DP will often coordinate with the camera and lighting crew to bring the vision to life.
Assistant Camera (1st AC)
Assistant Camera Operators are the right-hand man to the DP. Their primary responsibility is "focus-pulling," which is maintaining the camera's optical focus on the subject. To do this, they watch a monitor of what the camera is filming and use a device that controls the camera's lens from afar. They are also in charge of camera accessories like lenses and filters, ensuring they charge batteries and the memory cards are ready. All of which is in assistance to the camera operator.
Grip & Electric
(aka G&E Department)
Image: Noble Bison Productions crew setting up equipment for an interview shoot.
The G&E department is hands-on with all the lighting/camera equipment and gear. These are professionals at safely rigging and operating all the hardware on sets, like light stands, cables, cranes, dollys, and more between these two roles. Their department divides its tasks into two, electric and non-electric tasks - headed by the following two positions:
The Gaffer or the chief lighting technician manage all the electrical elements associated with lighting the scene.
The Key Grip manages all the non-electrical equipment on set that supports the lighting and shots.
Depending on the size of the video production project and its details, the production company may hire more people under them to assist.
Sound Technician
Image: Noble Bison video production crew. the sound technician (right) with headphones on.
Sound Technicians are responsible for recording all the sound during the production. They manage mics, sound transmission, mixers, booms, and more to ensure they capture quality audio. Though we often focus on the visual elements of videos, stellar audio is a significant component in producing high-quality videos. The moment a viewer realizes the audio quality is poor, they will likely have a negative perception of where the video came from and quickly move on.
And More
The greater the production, the more people involved in orchestrating. This may include the following roles:
Production Assistant (PA)
The Production Assistants are assistants on set responsible for an array of tasks needed by other roles who have their hands full. They are often the unsung heroes of a video production shoot.
Production Designer
The Production Designers set the scene with props, costumes, and any other necessary designing elements of the production. Their purpose is to make sure the look and feel of the scene are spot-on with the script and intention of the project.
Hair and Makeup Artist
The Hair and Makeup Artist ensures the client and any talent are glammed suitably for their scene.
Photographers
Between the video production company and the client, we sometimes hire photographers to take behind-the-scene photos, headshots, product stills, etc.
Special Effects Artists
Video production companies hire special effects artists to manage any effects necessary for the shoot. Think fake blood, monster make-up, weather illusions, and the like.
To close,
As you can see, professional video production requires a lot of hands. That’s why it’s so important to hire a qualified video production company. Outside of individual effort, a good production crew will act as a team that relies on one another to accomplish the job at hand. Noble Bison Productions always makes sure that we have a solid crew that can uphold these standards:
Excellent communication
Preparedness
Good organizational and time management skills
Safety standards
Creative, problem-solving, thinking on their feet
Professional but upbeat and positive attitude
Our Noble Bison team is on standby to create your next best video.
NOBLE BISON PRODUCTIONS
A DENVER VIDEO PRODUCTION COMPANY
BROADCAST COMMERCIALS - MUSIC VIDEOS - BRAND VIDEOS - FILMS - ANIMATION & MOTION GRAPHICS - DRONE FOOTAGE - BRAND VIDEOS - WEBSITE BANNERS - SOCIAL MEDIA VIDEOS - CORPORATE VIDEOS- DEMOS - EXPLAINERS
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