Pre-Production
Below the Line - Pre-Production Crew Positions
The list of pre-production crew positions below is a work in progress as there are so many possible positions needed on a film's pre production that are determined by the specific film's needs. We will try and eventually fill this list with every position possible with a real world description of what that position entails. If there is a pre production filmmaking position missing from this list, please let us know at
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CASTING DEPARTMENT
Casting Director
The casting director is responsible for finding the cast of a film, tv show or commercial. The casting director works closely with the director and sometimes the producer to get an idea of what type of actor is needed for all of the roles in a particular film. A casting director's day usually consists of either watching tapes or literally seeing hundreds of actors audition. Very simply, the casting director sits in a room, usually behind a camera while actors come in one by one and read a particular scene, and then they move on to the next actor. Sometimes the casting director will read opposite the actor or other times another actor will do that. If you're interested in learning more, take a look at this book: How They Cast It: An Insider's Look at Film and Television Casting
Casting Associate
A casting associates job on a film is to assist the Casting Director with his/her duties. Sometimes the casting associate will attend the casting sessions by themselves for the lesser roles on a film and take the duties of the casting director. The associate casting director also acts as the Casting Director's assistant getting or doing whatever needs to be done, sorting through head shots, calling actors in for auditions, etc.
Extras Casting
Usually the extras casting department is a company that specializes in casting extras only. They have a large database of actors that are either called in specifically or they call a phone number and listen to the available jobs for that day or week. There are many similarities between a Casting Director and an extras Casting Director.
ART DEPARTMENT
Concept Artist
Concept artists can work across many media platforms including film, tv, video games and even on the web. In film, the concept artist is responsible for creating concepts based on the needs of the script and what the director and production designer are looking for. To be a concept artist, you need to possess a very high level of creativity and artistic skill to succeed. A concept artist can be hired to do anything from a few concepts to working on the entire project until it is complete. Check out this really cool concept art book: Concept Design 2: Works from Seven Los Angeles Entertainment Designers and Seventeen Guest Artists
Story Board Artist
The story board artist works closely with the director to visually lay out the shots that will be edited together to create a specific scene. A storyboard is a visual representation of the shot angle and distance that will eventually be put onto film. The reason for storyboarding is to get a good idea of what a scene or sequence will look like visually before committing to something. It is really important for a story board artist to understand camera lenses and what a shot will look like visually through each lens as that will come into play when drawing the frames.
Buyer
Buyers are mainly responsible for finding every prop that will be used in the film or television show that will need to be either rented or bought. Marking up the script and listing details of all action and dressing props is where the buyer would start normal. Once this list has been checked with the Set Decorator, together they visit or contact various Prop Houses to reserve or rent the needed props. Closer to the start of shooting, once the schedule is fixed, Buyers begin an intense period of work preparing orders for thousands of props, carefully calculating dates and durations of hires to minimise costs, and confirming precise collection and return dates. The second most important duty of the buyer is making sure that the prop department stays within budget.
Art Director
Art Directors basically act as project managers for the entire Art Department. They facilitate the Production Designer's vision for all the locations and sets that eventually give the film its unique visual look. Art Directors are responsible for the Art Department budget and schedule of work, and help the Production Designer to maximise the money allocated to the department. Art Directors are in charge of the Assistant Art Director, the Draughtsman, the Art Department Assistant(s) and all Construction personnel. As Art Directors must find practical solutions to creative problems while simultaneously monitoring the budget, this is highly skilled work. Many Art Directors work on television drama and commercials, as well as on films.
SPECIAL EFFECTS DEPARTMENT
Art Department
Mold Department
Sculptor
FX Shop Supervisor
Mechanical Department
Prop Designer
Prop Shop Foreman
COSTUME DEPARTMENT
Costume Designer
Costume Designers are responsible for designing, creating, purchasing and hiring all costumes for every actor in the film or television show. Costume designers start on the project very early in pre-production, scouring the script and talking with the director about what costumes will be needed and what they will look like. This position requires a lot of research into the appropriate costumes and making sure that the costumes in any given scene work well together. The costumes can be anything from shorts and a t-shirt to an elaborate 18th century gown, anything worn in the film is considered a costume. Costume Designers posses a great amount of skill and knowledge and are able to apply it to their costume designs.
Costume Supervisor
Costume Supervisors liaise with all the staff in the Costume Department, and are the contact point for a number of other departments, including Makeup, the Art Department and the Production Office. Managing the costume department, the Costume Supervisor oversees the creation of costumes, budgets and other practical needs of the department. The Costume Supervisor also looks at the breakdown of the script and figures out the amount of staff the department will need, the costs that will be associated with the costumes and whether the designs are feasible. Generally the Costume Supervisor oversees the department and manages the budget and schedule.
Costume Production Assistant
The Costume Department Production Assistant or PA helps all department heads with whatever they may need. Basically acting as any other production assistant on set, only staying specifically in the costume department.
Costume Makers
Costume Makers are just that, they make the costumes that are used on the picture. Usually given drawings and specifications from the Costume Designers or Supervisors, the costume makers create the costumes. If needed, they have to do their own research into how period costumes are made and replicate those techniques. Sometimes provided with the fabrics, other times purchasing them on their own their job is to create the costumes that can't be purchased or rented.
OTHER CREW
Accountant
Assistant Accountant
Second Assistant Accountant
Office Production Assistant
Rights & Clearances
Clearances Assistant
Location Scout
Location Manager
Assistant Location Manager
Title Designer
Executive Assistant
Publicist
Payroll Assistant
Product Placement
CASTING DEPARTMENT
Casting Director
The casting director is responsible for finding the cast of a film, tv show or commercial. The casting director works closely with the director and sometimes the producer to get an idea of what type of actor is needed for all of the roles in a particular film. A casting director's day usually consists of either watching tapes or literally seeing hundreds of actors audition. Very simply, the casting director sits in a room, usually behind a camera while actors come in one by one and read a particular scene, and then they move on to the next actor. Sometimes the casting director will read opposite the actor or other times another actor will do that. If you're interested in learning more, take a look at this book: How They Cast It: An Insider's Look at Film and Television Casting
Casting Associate
A casting associates job on a film is to assist the Casting Director with his/her duties. Sometimes the casting associate will attend the casting sessions by themselves for the lesser roles on a film and take the duties of the casting director. The associate casting director also acts as the Casting Director's assistant getting or doing whatever needs to be done, sorting through head shots, calling actors in for auditions, etc.
Extras Casting
Usually the extras casting department is a company that specializes in casting extras only. They have a large database of actors that are either called in specifically or they call a phone number and listen to the available jobs for that day or week. There are many similarities between a Casting Director and an extras Casting Director.
ART DEPARTMENT
Concept Artist
Concept artists can work across many media platforms including film, tv, video games and even on the web. In film, the concept artist is responsible for creating concepts based on the needs of the script and what the director and production designer are looking for. To be a concept artist, you need to possess a very high level of creativity and artistic skill to succeed. A concept artist can be hired to do anything from a few concepts to working on the entire project until it is complete. Check out this really cool concept art book: Concept Design 2: Works from Seven Los Angeles Entertainment Designers and Seventeen Guest Artists
Story Board Artist
The story board artist works closely with the director to visually lay out the shots that will be edited together to create a specific scene. A storyboard is a visual representation of the shot angle and distance that will eventually be put onto film. The reason for storyboarding is to get a good idea of what a scene or sequence will look like visually before committing to something. It is really important for a story board artist to understand camera lenses and what a shot will look like visually through each lens as that will come into play when drawing the frames.
Buyer
Buyers are mainly responsible for finding every prop that will be used in the film or television show that will need to be either rented or bought. Marking up the script and listing details of all action and dressing props is where the buyer would start normal. Once this list has been checked with the Set Decorator, together they visit or contact various Prop Houses to reserve or rent the needed props. Closer to the start of shooting, once the schedule is fixed, Buyers begin an intense period of work preparing orders for thousands of props, carefully calculating dates and durations of hires to minimise costs, and confirming precise collection and return dates. The second most important duty of the buyer is making sure that the prop department stays within budget.
Art Director
Art Directors basically act as project managers for the entire Art Department. They facilitate the Production Designer's vision for all the locations and sets that eventually give the film its unique visual look. Art Directors are responsible for the Art Department budget and schedule of work, and help the Production Designer to maximise the money allocated to the department. Art Directors are in charge of the Assistant Art Director, the Draughtsman, the Art Department Assistant(s) and all Construction personnel. As Art Directors must find practical solutions to creative problems while simultaneously monitoring the budget, this is highly skilled work. Many Art Directors work on television drama and commercials, as well as on films.
SPECIAL EFFECTS DEPARTMENT
Art Department
Mold Department
Sculptor
FX Shop Supervisor
Mechanical Department
Prop Designer
Prop Shop Foreman
COSTUME DEPARTMENT
Costume Designer
Costume Designers are responsible for designing, creating, purchasing and hiring all costumes for every actor in the film or television show. Costume designers start on the project very early in pre-production, scouring the script and talking with the director about what costumes will be needed and what they will look like. This position requires a lot of research into the appropriate costumes and making sure that the costumes in any given scene work well together. The costumes can be anything from shorts and a t-shirt to an elaborate 18th century gown, anything worn in the film is considered a costume. Costume Designers posses a great amount of skill and knowledge and are able to apply it to their costume designs.
Costume Supervisor
Costume Supervisors liaise with all the staff in the Costume Department, and are the contact point for a number of other departments, including Makeup, the Art Department and the Production Office. Managing the costume department, the Costume Supervisor oversees the creation of costumes, budgets and other practical needs of the department. The Costume Supervisor also looks at the breakdown of the script and figures out the amount of staff the department will need, the costs that will be associated with the costumes and whether the designs are feasible. Generally the Costume Supervisor oversees the department and manages the budget and schedule.
Costume Production Assistant
The Costume Department Production Assistant or PA helps all department heads with whatever they may need. Basically acting as any other production assistant on set, only staying specifically in the costume department.
Costume Makers
Costume Makers are just that, they make the costumes that are used on the picture. Usually given drawings and specifications from the Costume Designers or Supervisors, the costume makers create the costumes. If needed, they have to do their own research into how period costumes are made and replicate those techniques. Sometimes provided with the fabrics, other times purchasing them on their own their job is to create the costumes that can't be purchased or rented.
OTHER CREW
Accountant
Assistant Accountant
Second Assistant Accountant
Office Production Assistant
Rights & Clearances
Clearances Assistant
Location Scout
Location Manager
Assistant Location Manager
Title Designer
Executive Assistant
Publicist
Payroll Assistant
Product Placement
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