Who’s Who

Administration

the most influential creator of the film who determines all aspects of filmmaking

director

an important film industry executive

movie mogul

a partner of the head producer. The head producer, who controls film budge and who delegates administrative responsibilities, is chiefly responsible for the film’s success or failure.

executive producer

a catch-all title which can range from an honorary title to an actual on-set aide to the executive producer, often a lower-level executive responsible for “finding” the movie idea

associate producer

an aide to the director who is concerned more with management details than with the creative process

assistant to the director

Talent

the person responsible for interviewing and recruiting actors to the film project

casting director

an actor who plays the principal role in a film, usually an “A-list” movie star who has his/her pick of roles

leading man/leading woman

Sets

an expert in architecture and design who is responsible for the film’s décor and set construction

art director

the head prop crew member; his/her assistant is a “best boy”

key grip

Film

an expert in photography, lighting, film stock, and camera movement, also known as the director of photography

cinematographer

the chief electrician on the set who achieves the effect designed by the cinematographer; his/her assistant is a “best boy”

gaffer

a skilled technician who operates all camera focus and movement at the director’s instruction

camera operator

a technical expert who works closely with the director to assemble the final print of the film, assembled from multitude shots and sound tracks

editor

Sound

a sound crew technician who handles the microphone boom

boom man

an expert in sound and microphone placement to achieve the best recorded on-set sound

mixer