CAMERA & LIGHTING DEPARTMENT

FILM SET CREW

1st Assistant Camera

The 1st AC is vital to the film camera crew

A?1st Assistant Camera, aka 1st AC, aka Focus Puller, is responsible for controlling the focus of a shot in progress. This can entail keeping a subject focused for a shot’s duration or?racking focus?mid-shot.

The 1st AC is part of the camera team and shares the responsibilities of loading/unloading gear and assisting the camera operator and DP when necessary. The first AC works as part of the film camera crew.

WHAT DOES A FILM CREW DO

2nd Assistant Camera

Short film crew positions include 2nd AC

A 2nd Assistant Camera, aka 2nd AC, is a part of the camera team and is responsible for tracking and maintaining?camera gear?and accessories such as?camera lenses, building camera rigs, and?operating the clapboard.

The 2nd AC is a part of the film camera crew and they keep a log of the technical details for every shot recorded. They also set the marks used by actors and the 1st AC for focus.

FILM CREW POSITIONS

Best Boy

The best boy is a part of the lighting film crew

The?Best Boy?is the name given to the Key Grip’s right-hand person. Best Boys are members of the Grip and Electric (G&E) department with more responsibility than the other Grips as they directly assist the Key Grip and delegate responsibilities. The Best Boy is a key member of the lighting film crew. Continue learning with our full?best boy job description.

FILM CREW JOB TITLES

Best Boy Grip

Film 101: What's the Best Boy??

The Best Boy?is the assistant to either the Gaffer or Key Grip on set. This means that there are two types of Best Boys: one for electric (Gaffer) and one for lighting/rigging (Key Grip). As the assistants, they are effectively the foreman for their respective departments. The best boy is responsible for helping the Gaffer with electric equipment on the set, assisting the Key Grip with lighting arrangements, and ordering and maintaining inventory.

The etymology surrounding the term is not very concrete. It’s one of those things that would be said on various sets and the name eventually stuck. One popular theory is that the term was used as a short way of describing Gaffer’s first lighting assistant, which would mean getting someone’s “best boy” on the set.

CREW IN FILM PRODUCTION

Camera Operator

Camera crew positions???Insights from a Hollywood Cam Op

A?Camera Operator, often shortened to “Cam Op,” is one of the most important of all camera crew roles. The Cam Op is responsible for operating the camera during the shoot. This includes locked-off?static shots?as well as?hand-held shots?or with the use of a variety of?camera rigs.

Steadicams?are typically used by specialized operators.

WHAT DOES A FILM CREW DO

Dolly Grip

Tips from a Dolly Grip???List of jobs on a film set

The Dolly Grip is a member of the Grip and Electric department that specializes in camera dollies. They operate the dolly during?dolly shots?and are responsible for ensuring that the dolly track is laid correctly beforehand.

FILM CREW MEMBERS

Director of Photography

Cinematographers discuss their roles in film production

A director of photography, aka DP, aka?cinematographer, oversees both the camera team and the grip and electric department, and is responsible for everything having to do with the camera and?lighting techniques. The?best cinematographers?use their technical expertise to light and shoot scenes in accordance with the Director’s vision.

Be sure to read our dedicated article on?the role of the director of photography.

PEOPLE INVOLVED IN FILMMAKING

Generator Operator

Oftentimes, film productions have set days in locations where electricity and power might be difficult to access. During these on-location shoots, generators are necessary. The generator operator is responsible for transporting, setting up, and operating the generators on set. The generator operator is a part of the lighting department

Generator operators are responsible for knowing what generators can handle given the lights and tools running from them. They also are responsible for maintaining the generators so they run smoothly throughout production.?

FILM CREW POSITIONS

Electrician

A set electrician explains his main roles in film production

An electrician in the film works in the grip and electric department and answers directly to the?Gaffer. The electrician’s job can be in Pre-Production when wiring up sets and conducting tech rehearsals in advance of the shoot.

During production, an electrician will rig lights, run cables, and ensure a steady flow of power for lights and equipment either on set or on location.

DP FILM CREW POSITIONS

Key Grip

What A Key Grip Does On Set: Crew Breakdown

A?Key Grip?is responsible for, and in charge of, all the non-electrical gear on set as well as supervising the Grips working in the department. They are also responsible for on-set safety.

A key grip works alongside the Gaffer to execute the Director of Photography’s plan for camera and lighting. The key grip also takes inventory and keeps track of all grip equipment before, during, and after the shoot. When given tasks, typically from the gaffer or DP, the key grip supervises and assigns grips to needed tasks.?Key grips also build and rig whatever is needed to support the lighting and shooting of a scene. This requires creativity as well as solid mathematical and physics knowledge.

FILM CREW POSITIONS

Film Loader

Film positions descriptions: Film Loader

The role of the Film Loader is to, you guessed it, load film. A Film Loader will first load camera magazines in a dark room ahead of the shoot. On set, the film loader is responsible for switching between the magazines in a timely manner.

The film loader can be its own position or, as is frequently the case, it's rolled into the 2nd AC's duties.

GRIP FILM CREW

Gaffer

The?Gaffer?is the head of?lighting?and power and works within the grip and electric department. Gaffers answers directly to the Cinematographer and collaborates with the Key Grip to ensure the desired look of the film comes to fruition. To learn more, read through our dedicated article on the?duties and responsibilities of a gaffer.

GRIP FILM CREW

Grip

Grip film crew tips from Film Riot

A?Grip?is the main position within the grip and electric department. The head of the Grips is called the “Key Grip.” Any given production is likely to use multiple grips.

The larger the production, the more Grips are needed. The primary responsibilities of a Grip include moving and setting up equipment, constructing rigs, and performing any handiwork necessary to enable the other departments to do their jobs.?

Grips are also responsible for the Grip truck(s) which is a large vehicle(s) loaded with all of the tools and equipment that may or may not prove necessary throughout the shoot.

In conclusion, the film set crew comprises various specialized roles that work together to bring a movie or film production to life. The key roles include the Director of Photography (DP) or Cinematographer, who oversees camera and lighting techniques; the Camera Operator (Cam Op), responsible for operating the camera during the shoot; the 1st Assistant Camera (1st AC) or Focus Puller, in charge of controlling focus during a shot; the 2nd Assistant Camera (2nd AC), responsible for camera gear and technical details; the Key Grip, overseeing non-electrical equipment and on-set safety; and the Gaffer, who leads the lighting and power department.

Additionally, there are other essential positions like the Best Boy, Generator Operator, Electrician, and Film Loader, each contributing to the smooth operation of the film production process. All these crew members work collaboratively to bring the director's vision to the screen and create a captivating cinematic experience.