So, what are the roles included in Video Production anyway?
- Hannah Sacca
- Oct 6, 2019
- 4 min read
Ever wonder what the production process is like after watching a TV show or commercial? Here is a basic overview of the roles needed to produce video content!
It can be surprising to see how much equipment and crew members are needed to create a film. Although, there is a wide spectrum of how complicated a production process can be. This can range from a single videographer, which is what one commonly sees in vlogs, to a full blown Hollywood production. At Millenial Productions, we lean more towards a single videographer, keeping the prices low, and production process simple.
Depending on the type of video content and budget, the amount of crew needed and different types of roles vary. Also, multiple roles can be fulfilled by one person, for example, director of photography can also serve as camera operator. Here, I will describe some positions that are absolutely necessary in a professional production process, catered to what I follow here, at Millenial Productions.
Director
The director is the most involved person on and off the set. They also obtain the highest authority. The finished product of the video is based on their visualization of the script. They are in control of the film's artistic and dramatic effects, and guide the crew and actors to fulfill their vision. Directors execute this vision, while also being mindful about staying within their budget. They can also double as the writer of the script, and some also appear as actors in their own films.
Producer
There are various segments of the production office staff, but for now I will keep it simple. The two main "producer" roles include, you guessed it, the producer, and also the executive producer. So what's the difference? To put it simply, the producer is the manager of a film set. They supervise, coordinate, and control matters throughout all phases of the production process, from development to completion. They generally handle the hiring of crew members, talk with the client to discuss their goals and expectations, and help with fundraising. If the budget allows, there can be several producers on a film who may take a role in a number of areas.
There is a broad definition for Executive Producer, considering that they can have many different duties, but to simplify it, they basically handle the financial aspect and legal issues. They make sure that the production is carried out to completion, on time, within budget, and agreed to technical and artistic standards.
Director of Photography (DP)/Cinematographer
The Director of Photography is in charge of the framing of the shots. They are also in charge of the camera and lighting crew, and can also double in the role of camera or lighting operator. The director tells the DP how they want the shot to look, and they choose the type of lighting, camera, lense, equipment, and composition to execute this image successfully.
Camera Operator
The Camera Operator is pretty self explanatory. They take direction from the DP, and capture the scenes on film or video. This can be tricky when dealing with movements and specific framing to achieve the desired aesthetic effect.
Lighting Director
The Lighting Director is responsible for coordinating the equipment and planning the design of the lighting plan for the production. They work with the Director and DP to ensure the lights present the correct look. This position can also sometimes be referred to as the Gaffer.
Grip
Grips are lighting and rigging technicians. They mainly work closely with the electrical department to put in the non-electrical components of lighting setups for a shot. Sound grips report to the audio technicians of the set.
Audio Technician/Sound Mixer
The Production Sound Mixer is the head of the audio department and works on location to ensure that the audio mixer and recorders operate correctly. They are responsible for deploying their team to capture audio for each shot, and which microphones to use. They will then mix audio from all the microphones to create a "mix track" for viewing and editing.
Editor
The Editor works with the director to assemble the various shots into a coherent video. Common editing programs include Adobe Premiere Pro, Adobe After Effects, and Final Cut Pro.
Set Designer/Production Designer
I combined these two roles because they basically complete the same tasks, but can be separated individually if needed to ensure production runs faster and smoother. The Production Designer is responsible for the visual appearance of the film. This means that they oversee the set design, props, costumes, and makeup. They work closely with the Director and DP to achieve the right look of the film.
Special Effects Supervisor
The Special Effects department oversees the mechanical effects that create optical illusions during live shooting. Don't confuse this with visual effects department! They deal with effects in post-production, using video editing programs to achieve a special effect. The Supervisor of Special Effects design moving elements and props that will safely break, explode, implode, collapse, or burn without destroying anything on the set. They also recreate weather conditions, and set up the rigging for stunts.
Script Writer
A Script Writer, or Screenwriter, is in charge of, you guessed it, writing the script of the film. Typically, they also double as the director or producer. This job can be tricky, as the script must be concise and engaging to keep the attention of the viewer. One must have a solid understanding of the medium, to ensure that they don't write something to wordy, so that it translates well when spoken on-screen. It must be able to flow naturally, with attention to timing and pace. The script also has to stay within the time limit.
To wrap this all up, I want to emphasize that these roles can vary, depending on the type of video production, and the limitations of the budget. Also, like I said earlier, these roles can be combined, and some even unnecessary. There are many other roles that are included in this process, but to keep it short, I simplified them into their general departments.
At Millenial Productions, I, along with a few others, are a combination of all of these roles. We keep our crew small, to make communication simple and easy for our clients. Our focus is video advertisements, primarily for social media, so our crew does not need to be too large. Like I explained earlier, the crew depends on the type of production. I hope you have a better idea of what it is like behind the camera, and in turn, it is easier to understand how we can meet your goals and help create high-quality advertisements for your company!
Comments