Creating a great video is the result of a team effort. Producing a video is a complex process that requires a team of professional for the best results. It is challenging for one person to effectively focus their attention on acquiring proper exposure and focus, clear audio, and ensuring a strong performance by the subject. When the time comes to put all the pieces together in post-production, specialists come into play. Whether it’s a graphic artist to add titles or an audio engineer to sweeten the sound, outside help is often necessary.

Here are the various roles played by the crew members:

Pre-Production and Production

Director

This person oversees all creative decisions on the project. They direct the director of photography, editor and other members of the team as to their vision. The director, when separate from the producer, is generally not responsible for any financial or schedule-related decisions.

Producer

This person is in charge of everything, from the general concept of the project to the finances and scheduling. For smaller projects, the director or cinematographer can also work as the producer.

Line Producer

The person who hires and puts the crew together, handles all logistics of the shoot on -site and makes sure everyone is doing their job.He is in charge of ensuring health and safety compliance as well handling insurance claims.

Scriptwriter/Screenwriter

This person understands filmmaking, possess the creative writing skills, and is an expert in language of film. They prepare the storyline, characters, dialog, and instructions for the production of the video.

Location Manager

When dealing with a large number of locations, or a particularly challenging one, this person is in charge of organizing access, permits, schedules, and related matters.

Director of Photography

This person is in charge of the camera and lighting crew. It is their responsibility to realize the vision of the director by making technical and artistic decisions in regards to lens choice, exposure, lighting, composition, filters, camera movement, color-grading and more.

Cinematographer

This role combines the responsibilities of the the director of photography and the camera operator, and in some cases may also serve other roles, including the producer. Smaller productions will often utilize a professional in this role.

Camera Operator

This is the person responsible for doing the actual shooting in accordance with the director of photography’s direction. They may be asked to bring their own gear, or use whatever has been rented for the shoot. They often operate the second camera during an interview.

Camera Assistant

The camera assistant is responsible for setting up the gear (cameras and lenses) . They help with complex camera movements and manual focusing during a shoot.

Gaffer

This person handles all lighting-related needs of the director of photography, from getting the right equipment to placing it in position and getting everything powered up. They often design the lighting approach and then executes it. On smaller projects, the cinematographer will often fill this role.

Grip

This person serves as thetechnicianwho helps implement the lighting on set. They also work with the cinematographer and camera operator to help create and manage camera support systems like tripods and dollies for smooth camera movement.

Data Technician/Digital Technician

The Data Technician is responsible for archiving the memory cards to multiple drives, renaming the files, verifying the proper transfer and returning the cards to the camera operator(s) for reformatting and reuse.

Audio Engineer/Audio Recordist/Soundman/Sound Recorder

The audio engineer focuses solely on capturing clear audio with the proper microphones, gear and at the proper volumes. This is a very important and difficult position. On very small projects this is covered by the camera operator or cinematographer. Ideally there should be one person who is responsible for nothing other than making sure the best sound quality is captured for the post- production work.

Makeup/Hair Stylist

This person is responsible for making sure the talent looks their best, especially under the lights.

Wardrobe Stylist

Just as with hair and makeup, this person is responsible for selecting the talent’s wardrobe and making sure that it looks as good, clean and pressed.

Post-Production

Editor

This person takes all of the footage and sound captured during the shoot and edits it into a cohesive, compelling story, that communicates the right ideas and emotions to the audience. The editor is usually responsible for the graphics, titles and the final “finishing” of the piece. Being a film editor requires hours of looking through footage and then assembling a film a half-second at a time, while working quickly to meet the deadlines. On important projects, the editing team is made of the lead editor and one or more assistant editors.

Sound Editor

Sometimes this is a separate person from the primary “picture” soundman. They handle all sound-related editing for the project. This is particularly true if a large amount of the sound is reliant on cutting together additional sound clips in post -production, as opposed to using straight location sound.

Graphic Artist

This is the person responsible for providing whatever graphics the project may require as part could range from titles all the way up to complex animations.