People behind the scenes of movie making

When We watch a movie trying to read the flood of credits at the end, the following credits are always interesting.

It would be nice to give credit to these small army of people who really are responsible for the stuff we watch on the silver screen, also We can always help our friends with this knowledge.

Associate Producer: Can mean many things. These individuals often help the producer with numerous post-production activities including lab work, dubbing, and special effects. Occasionally, this title is granted to friends, relatives, and business partners of the powers-that-be.

Casting: Are responsible for is determining who will have the opportunity to audition for the producer and director of the film. A good casting director can make or break a film. They are not responsible for determining what the final cast list will actually look like.

Director: It is a "big job". The director is responsible for the entire creative end of the film. Ultimately, the success or failure of the film rests with the director. The director determines the eventual look of the film, but Sometimes, creative control is removed from the director; when this happens directors have been known to have their name removed form the credits and to have the name Alyn Smithee substituted as director.

First Assistant Director (AD): The people who make sure that every thing and every one is in the appropriate place at the appropriate time. These people wield tremendous power - they get to yell "Lunch!" It is also the AD's voice that appeals for "Quiet on the set!" and orders the camera operator to "Roll." Prior to the start of production, the AD is often assigned to break down the script for a shooting schedule (the shooting schedule is exactly what it sounds like - a calendar that lists what scenes will be shot in which order and on which days). This particular job often serves as a gateway to other positions, most notably that of director or producer. Think of the first assistant director as the film's general contractor.

Second Assistant Director: The person who makes certain that the first assistant director's orders are carried out. They are frequently in charge of filming "we-the-people scenes" (scenes that feature casts of thousands where the primary actors are not seen). They are often assigned to film battle sequences and stunt sequences where extras are utilized. This particular job can also serve as a gateway to other positions, such as that of director or producer.

Script Supervisor: In charge of what is known as "continuity" in the industry. Making certain that a movie that is actually shot out of sequence (most films are) eventually makes sense. They make certain that actors say the same lines and wear the same clothing during each "take" of the scene. Script supervisors often carry Polaroid cameras (Now even Ipone) so that they can consult pictures of the scene to make certain that everything matches up. Is an extremely important job.

Camera Operator: The ones who actually aim the camera, responsible for carrying out the cinematographers directions. Tilts (moving the camera up and down), pans (moves right and left), and zooms (moves in closer or further away from the subject). A job to make certain that everything and everyone remains within the frame and in focus.

Cinematographer or Director of photography: Is responsible for transforming the screenwriter's and director's concepts into real visual images. The cinematographer is second only to the director to creating the mood, atmosphere, and visual style of the film. Doing everything from measuring the light to lining up the shot. Lining up the shot is more involved than it sounds; it requires determining which lens and filter to use, the way to point the camera and how to mount the camera. In short everything from ascertaining the best camera angles, setup, and movement to determining the exposure, and lighting necessary to achieve the desired effect. The cinematographer defines the photographic style or look of the film.

Gaffer: Is the head electrician. This means that they are in charge of all the lighting personnel.

Best Boy: Is the gaffer's assistant.

Key Grip: In charge of all the people who move anything. The boss of all the individuals who move scenery, cameras (these things often weigh a ton), and set up and take down the scaffolding that the lights, microphones etc. are hung on. In live theater, these folks are called stage hands. Remind yourself that you can't move it if you can't get a grip on it.

Production Designer: Responsible for the "look" of the film, the appearance of all of the movie's sets, locations and costumes. If it isn't an actor, the production designer was responsible for its selection. They generally have a background in scenic design and or architecture. They make a significant contribution to the "feel" of a movie.

Art Director: Is generally the production designer's assistant. They work with sets and locations.

Set Designer: They translates the production designer's ideas and sketches into blueprints for the construction crew.

Set Decorator: Who works with the production designer to select all of the decorations that will be used in a scene, includes everything from furniture to carpeting to the drapes on the windows. They are often the recipients of fan mail - the kind that asks where can I get a painting, a clock, a flower vase, etc. like the one that was featured in a film.

Property Master: The property master is in charge of procuring and preparing any object that an actor comes in physical contact with during a film. The prop department handles everything from food on a plate to weapons. If an actor touches it, it is a prop. If, for example, an actor throws a flower vase at a wall it is a prop. If it sits on the table and is never moved, it's set decoration. The prop department also handles promotional items and their placement in the film. Promotional items can run the gamut from candy and gum to which beverage an actor consumes in a film.

Special Effects: A movie magic department. the art of illusion that makes the dangerous, magical, expensive, or physically impossible seem perfectly believable. Special effects tend to fall into several broad categories: optical, physical, animated, and computerized. In laypersons terms, the special effects department is responsible for anything that explodes, smokes, breaks away or bleeds on the set. If an actor has to bleed on screen it is the responsibility of the spfx department. If the blood doesn't have to burst out, then it is the makeup person's job.

Production Assistant (PA): These individuals often work for little or no money in the hopes of eventually advancing up the ladder. It Is an entry level position. This position is the moral equivalent of serfdom, PA's are generally assigned every lousy task that comes along. So why do they do this? On the premise that their perseverance will eventually pay off in the form of a better job. Today's PA may be tomorrow's movie mogul (they could also be the son or daughter of the producer, director or big name star).

Sound Mixer: If you have ever watched a film only to have the dialogue obscured by overly loud background noise or music you know how important this is. They are In charge of all the microphones used on the set, everything form the wireless body mikes the actors wear to the big boom mikes that constantly hover over the scene. For example, if actors are whispering the dialogue should be quieter than when they are shouting, and if actors are being filmed in the distance the sound should also reflect this.

Music Editor: Their job begins in post-production. Music editor's job is to insert the composer's prerecorded score into the sound track. This can be more complicated than it sounds, since the composer may have recorded the score before the sequence was even filmed, and as such the music may or may not be the right length for the scene.

Makeup Artist: These wizards of grease paint do the actors' makeup. In rare instances, The Academy has chosen to recognize them with an Academy Award for outstanding accomplishments in this area. The award was instituted in 1981 & was first given to Rick Baker for "An American Werewolf In London"

Hair Stylist: Amazingly enough, the hair stylist does the actors' hair. Don't laugh, it can be a challenge to make a guy with a buzz cut look like he has a Mohawk.

Costume Designer: Is responsible for the appearance of the actors' wardrobes. The frequently design and sketch out the costumes for the actors in a film. The Academy Awards for Costume Design was first instituted in 1948 & was won by Roger K. Furse for "Hamlet". One the most recognized costume designers was Edith Head who died in 1981. Head received 35 Academy Award nominations, and was an eight-time Oscar winner.

Costumer: The costumer carries out the costume designer's directions. This can mean anything from purchasing or renting costumes for the actors to making certain that these garments have been altered for the actors.

Assistant to the director or to an actor: Are the director's or actor's right hand person. The people who make certain that the director's or star's lives do not fall apart during the making of the movie. They do everything from making the director's or performer's schedule to running their errands (laundry & bills..els). They perform personal and administrative duties for the director or actor. The power of this position varies greatly. One assistant may be nothing more than a glorified baby-sitter while another may be the power behind the throne.

We know these people now, so as my Father always said, "give credit where credit is due."