JOB ROLES AND DESCRIPTIONS

 Direction

 Scriptwriting

 Camera/Lighting

 Sound Production

 Sound Post-Production

 Picture Post-Production

 Production Desgin

 Set Craft

 Production

The role of director varies in film, pre-recorded television and live television production. The director is responsible for all the creative and technical tasks involved in realising a film or television programme. While the ultimate responsibility lies with the director he/she must draw on additional creative expertise in order to fulfil his/her role. The director guides the activities of the actors and the crew during pre-production, production and post-production, deciding on camera angles, lighting and most technical aspects of the film. He/she is in control of all that happens on the set.

As the medium of live television imposes certain constraints i.e. timing, format, schedule, the role of the director is different to that in film and pre-recorded television. While directors for both film and television are responsible for action in front of the camera, a director for live television has a different creative input to the product or programme.

It is increasingly apparent that directors, both in film and television, need to be multi-skilled. In order to perform effectively they must also be proficient in working with scriptwriters, line producers and production managers. This requires the development of expertise as well as knowledge of all these functional areas.

The writer is responsible for the development of the script or screenplay, whether he/she has generated the original idea or has been engaged by a producer to work on a specific project. The script is critical to the success of a film or television project because it provides the foundation for the entire creative and commercial endeavour.

The process of writing a script involves the development of a treatment, first draft, second draft and polish i.e. specific revisions, and may require repeated versions of these. The writer/producer/director is the creative team behind each project.

JOB TITLES:
Scriptwriters
Script Editors

In film the areas of camera and lighting overlap, while in studio television work they are separate.

Camera: Workers in the camera area – in both film and television – supervise, operate and assist in recording to achieve optimum photographic images for the production. The photographic requirements of a project are identified in terms of location, logistics, lighting and special effects. Camera personnel select, operate and maintain camera equipment and accessories, and ensure that film stocks and video tapes are properly maintained and recorded.

Lighting: Workers in the lighting area ensure that the location or set is correctly lit to meet the needs of the production. This can involve designing lighting layouts, organising lighting effects and operating the lighting system to the requirements of the production. Lighting personnel decide which lights to use and where they should be positioned. Responsibilities also include the transportation of lighting equipment and the maintenance and operation of generators.

Workers in the sound area – in both film and television – operate and assist the recording of all production sound. They maintain optimum sound quality thus ensuring maximum flexibility of live transmission and/or in the final mix.

Sound personnel select, operate and maintain sound equipment and accessories, and ensure that accurate reports of a recording are taken. Sound recording requires a combination of technical knowledge, artistic ability and personal communication skills.

Sound post-production involves blending together the separate sounds – dialog, sound effects and music – on to a single track. The director’s creative input contributes to and helps maintain an overview of the entire sound structure.

Within the independent sector, sound post-production personnel are primarily employed in facility houses. There is only a very small number of companies specialising in sound post-production in Ireland at present. Some recording studios also undertake sound post-production and editing work. Within the emerging studio environment, technicians are required to be multi-skilled.

Editing with film, tape and non-linear formats is undertaken in collaboration with the director. Post-production personnel assemble the film/tape footage, oversee the sound-dubbing and final completion of the project. They ensure the smooth running of the cutting room, and are responsible for budgeting, ordering and maintaining stocks.

Production design personnel create the physical and visual environment to meet the needs of the production. The main areas of work are as follows:

Production Design: involves overall responsibility for creating the style of the productions and establishing and planning the visual design.

Art Direction: planning and executing the design of the locations and sets.

Draughting: executing sketches and drawings that will facilitate the work of the various art department functions.

Costume design: interpreting the style design of the production as it applies to costumes and accessories and supervising the design, purchase and/or making of all costumes for the production.

Wardrobe: supervising the operation of the wardrobe department including the inventory and maintenance of all wardrobe necessary for the production.

Set dressing: selecting and placing all props and set dressings in accordance with the production design.

Props: the inventory and maintenance of all props associated with the production.

Make-up : researching, designing, applying and touching-up actors’ make-up to meet with the production’s needs and building prosthetic make-up if necessary.

Hairdressing: researching hairstyles to ensure historical accuracy, styling hair, wigs, toupees and being available to make adjustments as necessary.

Set craft personnel construct the scenery, sets and backdrops to meet the requirements of the production and are responsible for the rigging, electrical and lighting equipment and its operation. The sets are constructed using craft skills to produce the desired effects. During the production, the sets and equipment are maintained to the required standard and, in the case of mechanically-operated features, are operated in accordance with production needs.

JOB TITLES:
Construction Manager
Charghand
Carpenter
Electrician
Painter
Plasterer
Rigger
Stagehand

The production department is responsible for the initiation, financing and management of the personnel and resources needed for a film or television production. The production department monitors and controls activity through the various stages of the production cycle: project development, pre-production, production, post-production, sales and distribution. The main areas of work are as follows:

Producing: involving overall responsibility for the entire production process from initial concept or idea to distribution.

Production accounting: controlling and managing all the financial elements of the production.

Production management: planning and management of schedule, budget and resources on a daily basis.

Production co-ordination: establishing and maintaining the production office and services for cast and crew.

Locations management: sourcing and management of locations as necessary for the production.

Assistant direction: planning and efficient execution of the shooting schedule.

Script supervision: recording and maintaining of script continuity.

Floor management: co-ordination and management of all activity on the studio floor.

Research: sourcing ideas, contributors and materials for programmes.

Production secretarial support: providing administrative support in the production office.

Production assistance: providing administrative and technical support to the producer and director.