T436 Key Production Roles & Responsibilities
Revised 8/18/12

Most of the positions listed below span the life of a single production. Students may rotate into these positions as determined by Jim Krause, the course instructor and Executive Producer. There are additional positions that span the entire semester and beyond, that are critical to the success of the production.

The Producer --------------------------------

The Producer is ultimately responsible for the success of a project. He or she makes sure the project is produced on time, at the highest quality possible, and under budget.

Specifically, the Producer:

• Oversees the entire production process.
• Describes stylistic approach in broad terms, while allowing the Director to control specific creative/artistic aspects of the project.
• Selects and secures talent and crew. (T436 talent should be secured 3 weeks ahead of production.)
• Selects and secures shooting locations
• Makes a production schedule (covering pre-production, production and post-production).
• Proactively communicates with crew and key personnel.
• Provides a finished script, with defined acts & scenes. May work with or seek input from the Director on this.
• Provides scripts to talent and crew
• Makes sure rehearsals are scheduled.
• Secures all materials, videotapes and props.
• Gets legal clearances (model, location, and license releases)
• Makes sure editor has complete information for titles, graphics, & credits and helps determine stylistic suggestions (music, fonts, colors, etc.)

For each T436 production, the Producer will submit and be graded on a Project Packet that contains:

• Cover page listing project name and all personnel
• Final script (with clearly defined scenes)
• Closed-captioning script (delivered to Oncourse CC Script folder)
• Cover page listing project name and all personnel
• 1-2 page critique detailing the your experience with the process and your success (or lack thereof). NOTE: This can be in the form of a blog posting.
• Crew evaluation- Describe who contributed the most and made your project a success. Who didn’t show up on time, didn't pull their weight, or presented obstacles?
• Talent, location & license releases

The Director ----------------------------------------------------------------------

The Director is responsible for coordinating efforts of the production team and talent.

Specifically, the Director:

• Communicates with the Producer regularly to ensure project is progressing properly.
• Analyzes the script and works with the Producer to modify it as needed.
• Determines specific aesthetic/stylistic approach.
• Creates storyboards of all scenes and shot lists tied to specific locations.
• Blocks scenes (camera and talent)
• Creates production / shooting schedules
• Works with the Producer to select shooting locations
• Proactively communicates with crew and talent, working closely with the DP. The Director can delegate responsibility to the Assistant Director and the DP when possible.
• Oversees rehearsals and makes sure talent is prepared
• Helps determine stylistic approach for post-production (music, fonts, colors, etc.)
• Makes sure editor has complete information for titles, graphics, & credits.

For each T436 production, the Director will submit and be graded on a Project Packet that contains:

• Cover page listing project name and all personnel
• 1-2 page critique detailing the your experience with the process and your success (or lack thereof). NOTE: This can be in the form of a blog posting.
• Crew evaluation- Describe who contributed the most and made your project a success. Who didn’t show up on time, didn't pull their weight, or presented obstacles?

The Assistant Director (AD) ----------------------------------------------------

The AD is the Director's right hand man and first . Specifically, the AD:

• Reports to the Director and communicaters regularly with him/her and the rest of the crew.
• Helps carry out all of the Director's duties and will fill in whenever needed.

For each T436 production, the AD will submit and be graded on a Project Packet that contains:

• Cover page listing project name and all personnel
• 1-2 page critique detailing the your experience with the process and your success (or lack thereof). NOTE: This can be in the form of a blog posting.
• Crew evaluation- Describe who contributed the most and made your project a success. Who didn’t show up on time, didn't pull their weight, or presented obstacles?

The Director of Photography (DP) ---------------------------------------------

The DP is responsible for getting the look and capturing the images that the Director has specified.

Specifically, the DP:

• Oversees grips, camera team, and lighting/electrical team.
• Meets with the Director well before production to determine aesthetic wishes and technical requirements.
• Visits sites and shooting locations and create location sketches and floor plans
• Communicates all needs and requirements to the Gaffer well before Production so that he/she may devise lighting plan.
• Oversees the Camera Crew and the Gaffer.
• Works closely with Gaffer and the Director
• Use a light meter and the Zone system to determine lighting and filter needs.
• Arrives early on the set and makes sure camera system is setup and in place.
• During Production, the DP will also assist the Director, keeping track of proper coverage, shooting continuity, screen direction, technical continuity, etc.
• Specify lenses, exposure, film stock, frame rate, shutter angles, filters, camera dynamics, etc.

For each T436 production, the Director of Photography will submit and be graded on a Project Packet that contains:

• Cover page listing project name and all personnel
• 1-2 page critique detailing the your experience with the process and your success (or lack thereof). NOTE: This can be in the form of a blog posting.
• Crew evaluation- Describe who contributed the most and made your project a success. Who didn’t show up on time, didn't pull their weight, or presented obstacles?

The Gaffer -------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Gaffer is responsible for providing the lighting required by the DP. Specifically, the Gaffer:

• Should visit site with Director and Cinematographer/DP
• Creates lighting look specified by the Director and Cinematographer/DP
• Creates lighting plot
• Arrives on location early to set lights
• Oversees electric crew
• Should be able to use a light meter to determine intensity, ND gels, etc.

For each T436 production, the Gaffer will submit and be graded on a Project Packet that contains:

• Cover page listing project name and all personnel
• 1-2 page critique detailing the your experience with the process and your success (or lack thereof). NOTE: This can be in the form of a blog posting.
• Crew evaluation- Describe who contributed the most and made your project a success. Who didn’t show up on time, didn't pull their weight, or presented obstacles?

Audio engineer -------------------------------------------------------------------

• Is responsible for the audio component of the project.
• Should discuss and determine needs with the Director well before the shoot.
• Will likely always use a portable mixer and continuously monitor audio through headphones.
• Will usually use a shotgun on a boom pole or sometime wireless or other microphones
• Will always provide -20 dB digital tone to the Camera Crew for recording with color bars
• Will always get 60 seconds of "room tone" for each location

For each T436 production, the Audio Engineer will submit and be graded on a Project Packet that contains:

• Cover page listing project name and all personnel
• Audio strategy (Describe what microphones and other gear were used in which scenes and why)
• 1-2 page critique detailing the your experience with the process and your success (or lack thereof). NOTE: This can be in the form of a blog posting.
• Crew evaluation- Describe who contributed the most and made your project a success. Who didn’t show up on time, didn't pull their weight, or presented obstacles?

Editor -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Editor will edit the project. He or she will:

• Keep at least 2 backup copies of all media
• Produce a rough cut ASAP (generally within a week of the wrap of production)
• Edit the finished project in a timely manner
• Include titles and credits
• Make sure the production meets the technical requirements for broadcast
• Will supply a final quicktime movie of the completed project and a media managed version when required.

For each T436 production, the Editor will submit and be graded on a Project Packet that contains:

• Cover page listing project name
• 1-2 page critique detailing the your experience with the process and your success (or lack thereof). NOTE: This can be in the form of a blog posting.

Production Assistant (PA) --------------------------------------------------------

The PA will help the Director, DP and gaffer as needed. Often will be used to set marks for actors.

For each T436 production, the PA will submit and be graded on a Project Packet that contains:

• Cover page listing project name and all personnel
• 1-2 page critique detailing the your experience with the process and your success (or lack thereof). NOTE: This can be in the form of a blog posting.
• Crew evaluation- Describe who contributed the most and made your project a success. Who didn’t show up on time, didn't pull their weight, or presented obstacles?

 

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