Hello!
For the next post in my
Super Media Blog i have listed and explained the different roles/jobs commonly found in a television production.
Executive Producer : The execuitive producer is the person at the top of the food chain, and the person that everbody is answerable to. An executive producer is a major role within television, and as a result will have many years experience in the business. In a nutshell, His or her role is to guide the overall creative progress of the show's story over the course of its lifespan , and all creative decisions (from casting to script approval) go through them.
Production Executive : The 'Production Executive can best be described as an assistant Executive Producer. Both position are of great importance and carry a huge amount of responsibilities.
Picture Publicity : Producers : There are many different varieties of 'Producer' found in the television business, each with slightly differing roles. Depending on the show, you will find that the amount and types of producers involved will change. Here is a brief breakdown on the roles of commonly found types of television producer:
*Executive Producer/Production Executive - as above.
*Supervising producer - supervises other producers.
*Coordinating producer - coordinates two or more producers.
*Co-producer - works with other producers.
*Consulting producer - assists writers, sometimes specializing in a particular subject.
*Associate producer - runs day-to-day operations.
*Segment producer - handles one segment of a program.
It is also quite common within the television industry for the original script writer of a show to be given the title 'Producer' - even if they did not engage with the actual production of the show. In rare circumstances, the 'Star' of the show has an influence in the creative aspect of a television production. In these circumstances the actor in question is sometimes also given the title of producer.
Series Editor : The series editor is a major role within a television shows production and post production. The Series Editor will work closely with the script editor and director to ensure that the final cut meets the standard and requirements laid out by the Executive Producer, as well as humanly possible. The role of the series editor is very creative. They are expected to give the show the 'look and feel' that is required and to make sure that the shows follow a consistent pattern.
Script Editor : The script editor has many responsibilities including finding new script writers, developing storyline and series ideas with writers, and ensuring that scripts are suitable for production. The Script editor will have a good working relationship with the series writer(s), often suggesting changes/improvements that can be made to the show while keeping its technical limitations and integrity in mind. As a result, the Script Editor will also have a good working relationship with the shows Producers.
Director : The roles required of the Television director will differ, depending on if the show is live or pre-recorded. However, responsibilites such as camera placement, lighting and microphones are undertaken regardless of the type of show. With pre-recorded shows, the director has a role which is very similiar to that of a film director - communicating with actorsand cameramen regarding their cues and performances. The role of the director is often more of a technical one as opposed to creative - this role is more suited to the Producer. In LIVE television, such as a news broadcast, the director is required to communicate with many other members of staff - in order to successfully co-ordinate the broadcast. This role can be very intense indeed. The Live television director also nees to be able to maintain control the crew when under lot's of pressure at all time.
1st Assistant Director : The Assistant Director, or 'AD' has the role of helping the director with the production of a show. There can be many assistant directors involved in the same show. This can be seen as a hierarchy, with the
1st AD having roles that are deemed to be of higher importance than the
2nd or
3rd AD. The 1st AD has overall AD responsibilities, and will often directly supervise the 2nd AD. The 1st AD is also directly responsible for the
Producer and has overall control of the "Floor"/"Set". The role of the assistant director (regardless of rank) is more often than not, non-creative.
2nd Assistant Director : The 2nd AD is responsible for organising and creating the daily call sheets and Production schedules - this is normally done in co-operation with the
Production Co-ordinator . The 2nd AD will also work with the actors/cast and making sure they get through the make-up and wardrobe department.The 2nd AD also has some supervisory responsibilties - supervision of the
3rd ADs,
Trainee Assistant Directors and any background "
Extra's" - is a common role.
3rd Assistant Director : The difference between the 2nd and 3rd AD is not clearly defined and can change greatly from show to show. However, the more common roles of the 3rd AD include working with the second AD with getting cast members through departments - ready for shooting and organising crowd scenes which require lot's of extra's. The 3rd AD will also often supervise the Production Assistant(s).
Script Supervisor : The Script Supervisor is responsible for maintaining the televisions show's 'Continuity' and for recording the production teams daily progress. The script supervisor will represent the
editor and
writer while on set. The script supervisor will also communicate directly with the
director and
director of photographer in order to make sure that the material that is produced, can be edited together correctly. The script supervisor is regarded as a technical role rather than creative.
Location Manager : The location manager is responsible for finding and securing suitable venues/places to shoot material - and to coordinate any logistics that occour with any given location. The location manager is also often the 'public face' of the production company to any communities/individuals that are affected by the shoot.
Production co-ordinator : The Production co-ordinator roles will often very from project to project, but common roles/responsibilities include the co-ordination of the television crew with assignment of studio space and equipment by means of accurate day-to-day schedules. Designs sets and lights for television programs and makes ground plans, elevations, etc. The Production Co-ordinator will also sometimes act as a supervisor to the
Location Manager.
Runner : The 'Runner' is the most junior position found in a television production. The runner is responsible for most low-level "dogs-body" type jobs, and wil often be assigned to help wherever is needed on a daily basis. The position of runner is one that a lot of higher-employees started out as, as it is seen as way to get their 'foot in the door' - as a result their is stiff competition whenever a position for runner becomes available.
Designer : The Production designer is the term used in the television/film industries, to the person responsible for the overall look and feel of a show/film. The production Designer is one of the main creative roles in television. The designer will work directly with the
producer and
director to create the style of the show. In pre-production the designer will collaborate with the director of photography for this same purpose.
Art Director : The Art Director will work directly below the Designer, and above the set designer and set decorator. A large part of the art directors roles include the administrative duties attached to the Art Department of a show. They are responsible for assigning tasks to other personnel, keeping track of the art departments budgeting, schedules and overall quality control.
Properties Buyer : The Properties Buyer key role, is to locate and purchase any
props needed for the production. The properties buyer will be working to a tight budget and will need to be able to supply props to the standard required, often within a tight deadline.
Properties Master : This role incorporates the maintenance, storage and handling of any props being usedin a production.The property master also works with other members of the production managing the physical appearance of the stage or set, for example they might work with the
script supervisor to maintain set
continuity.
Costume Designer : The costume designer, as the name implies, is the person responsible for the design of any costumes being used in a production. The costume Designer will work alongside the
director,
lighting designers and
makeup designers.
Costume Assistant : The Costume Assistant will work directly below the Costume Director and roles will include the proper maintenance of all costumes, shoes, undergarments, hats and costume related personal props.To ensure that all costumes are properly pressed or steamed prior to each performance. The Costume assistant will also be responsible for the correct storage of the above items once a production has come to it's end. A costume assistant will be a fully qualified seamstress and be able to carry out any minor repairs/ alterations as and when is needed.
Make-up-Designer : A make-up Designer is somebody who creates any make-up and prosthetics required for the show.
Make-Up Assistant : The make-Up assistant work directly below the Make-up designer, and will help out in whichever way is required.
Lighting Director : The role of the Lighting Director within television is to work with the Director, set designer and costume designer - to create the overlook look and feel of the show as required.
Gaffer : The "Gaffer" or "lighting Technition" is responsible for overseeing and directing the setting up of lighting equipment. The Gaffer will be working directly underneath the Ligting Director.
Camera Operator : A Camera operator is responsible for physically operating the camera and maintaining composition throughout the shoot. The Cameraman will often be part of a
camera crew and will be working under the immediate leadership of the director of photography.
Camera Assistant : The camera assistant will help the camera operators with day-to-day duties. The camera assistant will also be responsible for light technical/ camera maintenance duties.
Camera Trainee : The camera Trainee will be a 'Camera Operator' in the making. The Camera Trainee will work directly below both the Camera assistants and Camera operators.
Grips : The Grips are lighting and rigging technicians in the TV and Film industries. The grips work closely with the camera and lighting crews on a production unit. The 'Grips' are under the supervision of the 'Key Grip'.
Sound Recordist : As the name implies, the sound recordist, is responsible for recording any audio that is required for any given shoot.
Boom Operator : The Boom Operator is responsible for the operation of microphones that are being used with a 'Boom' rod. The Boom Operator will normally work under the leadership of the Sound Recordist. The Boom operator will have a good knowledge of audio in general.
Sound Trainee : As with the Camera Trainee, the Sound trainee will be a sound recordist 'in the making'. The sound trainee will work underneath both the Sound recordist and Boom operator.
VT Editor : The VT Editor cues and prepares video inserts into a programme. Heavily used in sports programming, they are also responsible for action replays and quickly editing highlights while a show is in progress.
Casting : Casting is the department responsible for finding and hiring suitable actors for a given role. The casting department will be under the leadership of a Casting Director.
Artists Booker : The Artsist Booker plays a similar role to the casting department in a television Production - They are responsible for organising amd booking and artwork needed for the show. They are also, like many of the other roles above - for ensuring that the show fits into the look and feel of show.
Production Accountant : Production Accountants are responsible for managing finances and maintaining financial records during film production. They work closely with the Producer and the production office to prepare schedules and budgets for film productions, as well as managing the day-to-day accounting office functions, and reporting the projects' financial progress against the budgets.
Assistant Production Accountants : The Assistant Production accountant will work under the supervision under the Production Accountant, and will be responsible for many of the same tasks.
Researcher : Researchers research the project ahead of shooting time to increase the integrity of the show. It is their task to inform the director, producer, and writer of all ideas, and knowledge related to what task is being undertaken, or what a scene/ event or backdrop needs to be included to make the show factual and ultimately more believable.
Publicist : A Publicist has the task of raising public awareness of a production, and ultimately increase viewers and sales of it and its merchandise. The publicist's main task is to generate demand for a product through advertising and promotion.
Picture Publicist : It is the Picture Publicist who is responsible for taking and marketing photographs, and other visual material that is related to the show in hand. This material will be used to advertise the show though magazines.
