Film Jobs

1. Film Jobs (or, “Who Does What”)

2. The writer: • The “writer” is the person who writes the original story for the film – he or she might simply come up with the concept and basic outline.

3. The Screenwriter • The screenwriter does the screenplay – writes the lines and puts in guidelines for camera POV (point of view) and general setting information.

4. The artist (often the director; always with the director) • The artist does the “storyboard” of the film; this storyboard is sort of a comic book approach to arranging the visuals – the camera shots – for each scene. Often directors stay close to these, but sometimes they improvise.

5. The Director • The director is responsible for the artistic outcome of the film. He or she guides the actors and everyone else toward a final project.

6. The DP (director of photography) • The DP composes the camera shots – he makes sure each frame is artistic in its composition.

7. Artistic director • The artistic director is responsible for the “look” of the film – sets, costuming, etc. He or she may also have input on filters, lighting, etc.

8. Costume design • The costume designer is responsible for conceiving and overseeing the making of costumes.

9. The editor • The editor used to “cut” the film into scenes. (Now this is done mostly on computers.) He or she is highly responsible for the pace of the film. The editor usually works closely with the director.

10. The Composer • The composer is one of the last in the process. He or she adds “underscore” music to the film in order to contribute to mood, accentuate the action, etc.

11. The Producer • The producer in film, unlike in music, is more of the “money man” in the process. He or she might have artistic input about the overall concept and project, but the producer’ s job is more business oriented.