Who does what on a film set

The people who decide what the film is and how each moment should feel.

Director

Owns the story on screen. Works with actors, chooses shots with the DP, and makes the final call on every creative question.

Co-Director

Shares directing duties equally with another director — common on documentaries and music videos.

Second Unit Director

Directs material the main unit doesn't shoot: inserts, driving plates, scenery, stunts.

The people who make the shoot physically possible — money, permits, food, schedule.

Producer

Responsible for the film existing: money, hiring, schedule, and the buck stopping somewhere.

Executive ProducerEP

Usually brings financing or industry backing. Rarely on set day to day.

Line Producer

Runs the budget line by line during the shoot and keeps spending honest.

Unit Production ManagerUPM

Books crew, gear, locations and vehicles. The logistics engine of the shoot.

Production Coordinator

The office hub — call sheets, paperwork, travel, and who needs to know what.

Production AssistantPA

The most useful person on set. Runs, drives, locks up the street, and keeps things moving.

Location Manager

Finds, secures and babysits the places you shoot, including permits and neighbors.

Craft ServicesCrafty

Keeps snacks, coffee and water flowing all day. Morale is a department.

Catering

Provides the hot meal. A fed crew is a fast crew.

The people who protect the clock so the director can think about the story.

1st Assistant Director1st AD · First AD

Runs the set. Builds the shooting schedule, calls the roll, and keeps the day on time and safe.

2nd Assistant Director2nd AD

Handles call sheets, wrangles cast through hair/makeup, and manages background.

2nd 2nd Assistant Director

Extra AD support on bigger days — usually background and paperwork.

Script SupervisorScripty

Tracks continuity, coverage and takes so the edit actually cuts together.

The people who put it on the page before it exists anywhere else.

ScreenwriterWriter

Writes the screenplay — structure, scenes, dialogue.

Story By

Credited for the underlying story even if someone else wrote the script pages.

Script Consultant

Gives structural notes on drafts without writing pages.

The people who decide what the image looks like and keep the footage safe.

Director of PhotographyDP · DoP · Cinematographer

Designs the look: lensing, lighting, camera movement. Leads camera and G&E.

Camera OperatorOp

Physically operates the camera and holds the frame during takes.

1st Assistant Camera1st AC · Focus Puller

Pulls focus, builds and maintains the camera, changes lenses.

2nd Assistant Camera2nd AC · Clapper Loader

Slates each take, logs it, manages media cards and camera paperwork.

Digital Imaging TechnicianDIT

Manages exposure, on-set color and the look pipeline into post.

Data WranglerLoader

Offloads and backs up footage — at least two copies, always verified.

Steadicam Operator

Operates a stabilized rig for smooth moving shots.

Drone OperatorAerial

Flies aerial shots — needs the right license for commercial work.

Still PhotographerUnit Stills

Shoots the on-set photos you'll use for posters, press and socials.

The people who make and shape the light, and rig everything the camera sits on.

GafferChief Lighting Technician

Head of lighting. Turns the DP's intent into actual lamps, power and placement.

Best Boy Electric

The gaffer's second — orders gear, manages the electric crew and the truck.

ElectricianLamp Op · Spark

Sets, powers and adjusts lighting units.

Key Grip

Head of grip. Rigging, flags, diffusion, camera support and set safety.

Best Boy Grip

The key grip's second — crew, gear and truck.

Dolly Grip

Operates the dolly or slider so moves land on the same mark every take.

Grip

Builds, rigs, flags and shapes — everything light touches that isn't plugged in.

The people who capture dialogue clean enough to use — you can't fix it later, really.

Production Sound MixerSound Mixer

Records and balances all audio on set, and flags noise problems before a take.

Boom Operator

Places the mic on a pole just out of frame, following the dialogue.

Sound UtilitySound Assistant

Wires talent with lav mics, manages cable, batteries and timecode.

The people who build the world in front of the lens.

Production Designer

Designs the physical look of the film: sets, palette, texture, period.

Art Director

Executes the designer's plan — drawings, builds, budgets, crew.

Set Decorator

Chooses and places everything in the space that isn't handled by an actor.

Prop MasterProps

Sources and manages every object an actor touches.

Set Dresser

Physically dresses and strikes the set each day.

Scenic Artist

Paints, ages and finishes surfaces so they read right on camera.

The people who dress the characters — and keep them consistent across weeks of shooting.

Costume Designer

Designs what every character wears and what it says about them.

Wardrobe Supervisor

Runs the fittings, the racks and the continuity of every outfit.

CostumerSet Costumer

Handles wardrobe on set: changes, repairs, distressing, steaming.

The people who finish the character's face — and match it shot to shot.

Key Makeup ArtistMUA

Designs and applies makeup, and keeps looks consistent across the schedule.

Hair Stylist

Designs and maintains hair for every character.

Special Effects MakeupSFX Makeup · Prosthetics

Builds wounds, aging, creatures and anything makeup can't do straight.

The people who turn footage into a film — usually the longest phase of all.

Editor

Assembles the film: performance, pace, structure. The final rewrite happens here.

Assistant EditorAE

Organizes media, syncs sound, and keeps the project file sane.

Colorist

Grades the image — contrast, color, mood, and matching shot to shot.

Sound Designer

Creates and places the non-dialogue sound world of the film.

Re-Recording MixerDub Mixer

Balances dialogue, music and effects into the final mix.

Foley Artist

Performs everyday sounds — footsteps, cloth, handling — in sync to picture.

Composer

Writes the original score.

Music Supervisor

Finds songs and clears the rights to use them. Clearance is not optional.

VFX Supervisor

Plans and oversees visual effects from set through delivery.

VFX ArtistCompositor

Builds the shots: cleanup, comps, CG elements, screen replacements.

Title Designer

Designs the main and end titles.

The people who find the faces.

Casting Director

Sources, auditions and negotiates with actors for every role.

Casting Associate

Runs sessions, schedules auditions and handles submissions.

Extras CastingBackground Casting

Books and coordinates background performers.

The people who make dangerous things look dangerous and be safe.

Stunt Coordinator

Designs and supervises every stunt, and signs off on safety.

Stunt Performer

Performs the action, often doubling a cast member.

Intimacy Coordinator

Choreographs intimate scenes and protects performer consent and boundaries.

Safety OfficerSet Medic

Handles medical response and safety compliance on set.

The people on screen.

Lead ActorLead

Carries the story — the character we follow.

Supporting ActorSupporting

Substantial role that shapes the lead's story.

Principal

A named, speaking role with real story weight.

Day Player

A speaking role hired for one or a few days.

BackgroundExtra

Populates the world without dialogue.

Voice OverVO

Heard, not seen — narration or looped lines.