Production Crew Job Description
To create a movie or stage play, several different people must work together. The behind-scenes staff of a film shoot or theater production are collectively known as the production crew. Each role within the production crew is just as valuable as other roles, even though some may gain more exposure for their position than others.
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Departments
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To make things more organized within a production crew, the crew is divided into departments based upon their main duties. These departments can consist of a large number or people or only two or three. The crew members in charge of lighting are known as the lighting department, while those working in sound areas are part of the sound crew. Other departments within a crew include casting, talent, directing, costuming, art and hair and makeup.
Duties
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Producers and directors for film and stage have what may be the largest amount of responsibility on their plates. Directors must oversee the actions of all the other production departments, acting as a liaison between them. Directors also instruct the actors on how to act, ensuring that scenes go as they were intended. Producers provide the crew the finances to put on a performance. The casting department consists of people responsible for finding talent for the production. Talent includes actors and extras, all tasked with the responsibility of performing the script provided to the best of their abilities. Art departments can be responsible for set design and the overall look of a movie, while hair and makeup handles the look of the talent. Each member of the crew must be on set as needed or present for post-production in the case of editors and special-effects creators.
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Work Conditions
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In most cases, production crews work on location for a given shoot. This can be anywhere from a studio set to overseas shoots. The location depends upon the project the crew is working on as well as the budget involved. Post-production crew members work more often within an office or studio so they have access to their computers and editing software. Work days for production crews can be long, with some film shoots taking as long as 18 hours on certain days.
Salary Range
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Production crew salaries vary widely depending upon the department that the crew member works in as well as the budget of a film and the reputation of the crew member. For example, a well-known director or actor can earn much more for a movie than a lesser known person in the same position. The Bureau of Labor Statistics states that actors within the Screen Actors Guild earned a minimum of $782 a day as of June 2009. Movie Staff states that the average salary for a camera operator in Los Angeles is about $75,000 a year, while a production assistant can expect around $29,000 a year.
Growth and Outlook
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With the number of independent films being produced continuing to grow, the number of production crew jobs continues to rise. However, these positions may not be the best paying. For higher-paying jobs, competition is stiffer. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that careers in the entertainment industry will grow 14 percent by 2018, which is 3 percent more than the average for other career industries.
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References
- Photo Credit the operator with a videocamera image by terex from Fotolia.com
