Jobs Behind the Scenes A-I

Animation
Animators work in different areas: cel animation (the more traditional drawn method); claymation (the art of animating clay figures); or CGI (Computer Generated Images). Some animators will be proficient at all three.

Entry is usually by studying animation at college, but some animation companies do train people that they want to work on long-term projects. Obviously creativity and artistic qualities are a must. Patience is also required as animation can be a painstakingly slow process.

1st Assistant Director
The right hand person to the Director of a feature film, but also answers to the Producer. In pre-production the 1st A.D. usually works out the schedule and, whilst shooting, makes sure the film is on schedule.

A very demanding and responsible role. Must have the patience of a saint and be clear-headed and concise. Must be authoritative, without being rude or getting annoyed.

2nd Assistant Director
The 2nd A.D. is responsible for organising the daily call sheet (a document for all crew detailing who needs to be on set and at what time, transport arrangements, extras required, etc.). Also responsible for finding extras (no easy task when you need 400 people in 2 days time!).

Must be meticulous and good at dealing with people. Be prepared to be shouted at when those 400 extras haven't turned up and the whole crew is waiting.

3rd Assistant Director
Right hand person to the 1st A.D., the 3rd A.D. must make sure actors are in make-up and wardrobe at the correct time and on set when needed. Also ensures that artists are well looked after on set.

Must be good-natured (you may have to walk the lead actors to the set and nobody wants them upset) and patient (you may also have to wait three hours in the cold for them to finish their scene and then walk them back again).

Best Boy
Working to the instructions of the Gaffer, or Head Electrician, the Best Boy is the second in command and a senior electrician. (Not always a boy, but usually will be until more women join lighting teams.)

Must be a fully qualified and experienced electrician, able to communicate with the electrical team and creatives alike. Knowledge of Health and Safety is a must.

Camera Operator
A Camera Operator does exactly what the job title suggests. Some Directors of Photography don't operate the camera as they are checking light levels and liasing with the Director until the last minute before the camera rolls, thus requiring an experienced Camera Operator. However, many DOPs and Cinematographers do operate the camera themselves. (More applicable in the US where, due to strict Union rules, DOPs are not allowed to operate.)

Good technical ability and knowledge of cameras and lenses is essential. Usually a Camera Operator will have been a Clapper Loader and Focus Puller previously.

Clapper Loader
The Clapper Loader loads and unloads the undeveloped film in the camera magazine. Also marks the shots with a clapper board, writes the lab reports and prepares the 'rushes' to go to the lab at the end of each filming day.

A very responsible role - if mistakes are made in the loading or unloading of the film, the whole day's filming will have been a total waste and will need to be re-shot. Must be reliable, careful and tidy (any dust or dirt on the film could render it totally unusable).

Colourist
A colourist works at the post-production stage, on telecine equipment which can enhance the film. Colours can be altered and enhanced and images manipulated. Works closely with the Director of Photography and the Director.

Must be patient (it can take hours to get the correct look for the film, even days, depending on how much material there is), creative, tactful, and possess good technical skills. Must have a passion for images and colour.

Commissioning Editor
Commissions independent producers to make specific programmes to an agreed brief and budget. Usually supported by an administrative team and advised by a range of experts, including sales people and lawyers.

Must understand the needs of the commissioning organisation and its target audiences. Requires analytical and decision-making skills, business acumen and resilience.

Contracts Management
Most people working in the media are on contract. People working in Contracts Management ensure that contract details are correct and on time.

Must have good organisational and administrative skills. For some senior positions a legal background is necessary.

Costume Designer
Working closely with the Director and the Production Designer, the Costume Designer is responsible for providing appropriate costumes and accessories within the constraints of a strict budget. Must take into account the period of the film, or programmes, and the characters they are providing clothes for.

Requires a variety of skills, from making and adapting costumes, to budget control. Must have good communication and management skills - may be in charge of a large team. Knowledge of period costume is essential.

Costume/Wardrobe assistant
A Costume Assistant works closely with the Costume Designer or Head of Wardrobe and assists in the making, ordering, or adaptation of the costumes and accessories required.

Assistants in the wardrobe department often come from a fashion or theatre background.
Good sewing required, plus knowledge of period costume.

Director
The Director takes overall responsibility for the creative, visual and auditory effect of a production. Must convey ideas to the Director of Photography, the Production Designer and the Costume Designer who will endeavour to make them a reality.

Must be a good communicator and decision-maker. Important to have understanding and respect for other people's roles in the making of a programme. Often under a huge amount of pressure, so the ability to keep calm and think straight is essential.

Director of Photography (DOP)
The Director of Photography, or Cinematographer, works in close partne rship with the Director to ensure that the Director's ideas are being met visually. Also works in close partnership with the Gaffer to direct the look of the lighting.

A very creative role. Must have a thorough knowledge of film cameras and lighting. DOPs used to serve a long apprenticeship - from Clapper Loader to Focus Puller to Operator - often not becoming DOP until well into their 50's. Now some DOPs are a lot younger, thanks to cinematography courses like the one at the National Film and Television School.

Editor
Key to the production of a successful end product, the Editor interprets, and sometimes builds on, the script and the requirements of the Director. They do this either by physically cutting the film or, more commonly now, by using sophisticated computer technology such as Avid or Lightworks. Offline editors make decisions about where to make cuts and produce an EDL (Edit Decision List) and Online editors translate these requests into reality. Some editors are primarily creative, others technical.

Must be creative and visual, with good technical knowledge. The ability to work under pressure is important and to develop a rapport with Directors - an Editor may be shut in a room with a Director for days or weeks on end.

Electrician
Also called a spark in film and television, an Electrician works with the crew, either on location or in the studio, to provide a power supply and the lighting required for each set-up or scene.

Must have relevant, recognised electrical qualifications and a good knowledge of Health and Safety. Usually works as part of a lighting team so the ability to communicate with others is important. Also a head for heights, as some lights may need to be placed on top of cherry pickers, tall buildings, etc.

Engineer
Developments in technology have highlighted the need for highly skilled and creative engineers. They work in a number of areas including design, installation, trans mission and service.

Qualifications in a relevant mechanical, electrical or electronic area are needed. This is currently an area of skills shortage in the industry.

Floor manager
In TV studios, the Floor Manager co-ordinates and manages everything that happens during a rehearsal or production, from cueing actors to organising props and overseeing an audience. There is close liaison, through headphones, with the Director.

Must be organised, have the ability to work under pressure and be very much a 'people person'.

Focus Puller
An important part of the camera team, the focus puller follows focus on moving subjects in front of the camera. Takes detailed measurements before the shot and changes focus settings as the shot progresses.

Usually starts as a Clapper Loader and moves up to Focus Puller. Must have a thorough knowledge of cameras and lenses, and be meticulous - if the focus is wrong, the shots will be unusab le and, unless there's a technical problem with the camera, it will be obvious that it's the focus puller's mistake.

Graphics
Graphics are required on many productions, from title sequences and end credits, to programme content.

Good computer skills and knowledge of the different graphics packages are essential. Must be artistic and constantly generate ideas.

Grip
The Grip handles the equipment that enables a camera to move. There are many pieces of equipment available depending on the desired effect. The Grip operates these after discussion with the Director of Photography to work out which type of movement is required. There may be several Grips on a production depending on the equipment required (some equipment needs up to 3 Grips to operate). The most senior is the Key Grip.

A good knowledge of camera equipment is needed, as is the ability to communicate well with others. Physical co-ordination and flexibility a re essential.

Hair and Make-up
Professionals in this area work with the Director and the Designer to interpret the requirements of the production, maintaining continuity throughout. Most people in this field work freelance and may work in television, promos and commercials as well. On larger productions Hair and Make-up may be separate roles, depending on the requirements of the project. Some Make-up artists specialise in effects work, such as latex, moulding, blood and scarring.

Entry is often by relevant diploma and/or work as an assistant to a Hair and Make-up Artist. You need to be good at dealing with people and putting them at ease. Must also be able to keep secrets - you may end up as the agony aunt (or uncle) for the cast! Knowledge of health and safety in this area is also required.

Health and Safety Adviser
As the industry diversifies and more workers become freelance, the need for Health and Safety awareness is increasing. The most sought after professionals have extensive production experience.

An informed 'can do' approach is required to facilitate the production. The idea is to find a way of doing things in the safest possible way, not to presume it can't be done. Some crew members (even Directors) still see Health and Safety as a nuisance which hinders their creative vision, so tact and good interpersonal skills are required.

International Sales
The global marketplace opens opportunities for people with sales and marketing skills to promote and sell programmes to potential buyers in foreign 'territories'.

Languages can be useful - some International Sales people deal with specific areas such as Latin America - and a good knowledge of 'territories' and their culture and tastes is required, along with the ability to negotiate and make deals.

Information Technology
The media industry is a high tech business. Computers are used in all areas of production and management.

IT literacy is a must, along with an understanding of the industry.

Interactive Media
As technology advances there are increasing opportunities for people who understand TV production and interactive media. Innovations, such as interactive TV, require individuals who can move comfortably between media and work effectively with programme makers and computer technicians. This area is providing many new employment opportunities.

Highly developed IT skills plus a good awareness of technology and communication are required. Also, good interpersonal skills and knowledge of TV and Video production processes.

Jobs titles to look out for include:

Interactive Media - Engineer
An invaluable member of the team, the Engineer works alongside software and multimedia developers to design and prototype information productions for the internet, CD-ROMs, etc.

Must have experience of software and internet activity, as well as a solid backgr ound in engineering, and those all important communication skills.

Interactive Media - Graphic Designer
A Graphic Designer plays a vital role in creating innovative visuals across multiple platforms. This could include online and internet projects, DVD, and CD-ROMs.

Most hold a graphic design degree, or similar, and start as assistants in a graphics department, moving on to become Graphic Designer, or Senior Designer. A thorough knowledge of computer packages and systems is essential, as well as technical skills and the ability to learn new technology and software quickly.

Interactive Media - Marketing
Marketing jobs in interactive media are increasing as the industry continues to grow. These range from Marketing Assistants, who help with client liaison and project management, to Marketing Managers, who oversee the entire company's strategic planning.

Communication and people skills are a must, along with a pleasant personality. Also important is a good understanding of th e potential of interactive media.

Interactive Media - Producer
Producers oversee the production of an interactive project, or a website, and manage the creative and technical personnel. Projects may include sound, image and video content, much like TV and film production.

Must be a good communicator with excellent people skills. Should be able to think creatively and have a thorough understanding of technical processes, including computer systems, programmes and applications.

Interactive Media - Programmer
A programmer inputs or programmes the systems and software for use in an interactive project.

Requirements include a computer electronics or engineering background, as well as good technical knowledge and understanding.

Interactive Media - Project Manager
A Project Manager is responsible for the day to day running of a project, liaising with the relevant technical and creative staff.

Must be a good communicator. Should be able to manage both the technical and creative sides of the process, within agreed time and budget constraints.

Jobs Behind the Scenes J-Z