Meet The Team

​The production manager (P.M.) makes business deals with the crew and arranges for the production’s technical needs. This includes everything from obtaining the right technical equipment to renting accommodations for actors and crew.

The assistant director (A.D., or First A.D. in larger productions) works to make the director more efficient. The A.D. plans a shooting schedule by breaking the script into sections that can be filmed in a single day and in the most efficient order. During filming the A.D. manages the set, helps line up shots for the director, calls for quiet on the set, and coordinates the extras. The assistant director is often a member of the Directors’ Guild of America.

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The dialogue coach helps actors learn their lines and master accents and dialects that are necessary for their roles.

The person who sources and secures the financing for film production, either through an independent financing company or through a studio.

​The production office coordinator (P.O.C.) handles the production’s office duties and stays behind when a production goes on location. He or she coordinates the crew, makes sure paperwork gets done and answers the phone. The P.O.C. also puts together new versions of the script as changes are made.

The story editor supervises several story analysts who work for the studios. The analysts read screenplays, books, and other literary efforts looking for potential movies. The analyst then writes “coverage” (a synopsis) of the material. The story editor reviews the coverage and passes on promising prospects to the studio bosses for possible development into a motion picture

 The post-production supervisor oversees the finishing of a film once shooting ends. He or she attends editing sessions, maintains quality control, and coordinates audio mixing, computer graphics, and all other technical needs.

The cinematographer, or director of photography (D.P.), helps create the look of a movie. The D.P. directs the lighting for each scene, helps frame shots, chooses lenses, selects film stock and ensures that the visual look of the film conforms to the director’s vision. The cinematographer usually does not operate the camera on set (this is the duty of the camera operator).

The camera operator is a member of the camera crew and runs the camera as instructed by the director and the cinematographer. The camera operator is responsible for keeping the action in frame, and responding quickly to the action as it unfolds.

​The production manager (P.M.) makes business deals with the crew and arranges for the production’s technical needs. This includes everything from obtaining the right technical equipment to renting accommodations for actors and crew.

The location manager reads the script, decides what locations are necessary for the film, then scouts for them. The location manager visits possible locations and takes pictures to help the director find the best setting. After locations are chosen, the location manager acquires all the permits and permissions necessary for filming.