What They Do
A.D.- The Assistant Director.

ART DIRECTOR - Person who conceives and designs the sets.

BACKGROUND - The Extra performers. On the set, "Background!" is a verbal cue for the Extras to
start their action.

BEST BOY - The assistant to the Chief Electrician, or Head Gaffer.

CAMERA CREW - With the D.P. (Director of Photography) as its chief, this team consists of the
camera operator, the first assistand camera operator (focus puller), the second assistant camera operator
(film loader and clapstick clapper) and the dolly grip.

CAMERA OPERATOR - The member of the camera crew who actually looks through the lens during a take.
Responsible for panning and tilting and keeping the action within the frame.

CASTING DIRECTOR - The producer's representative responsible for choosing performers for consideration
by the producer or director.

CATERER - Responsible for breakfast, lunch and dinner on a set. Different from Craft Services.

CHIEF ELECTRICIAN - Heads the electrician crew; also called the GAFFER.

CINEMATOGRAPHER - Director of Photography

CRAFT SERVICES - On-set beverage and snack table. Different from the Caterer

DAY PLAYER (DAY PERFORMER) - A principal performer hired on a daily basis, rather than on a longer-term contract.

DIRECTOR - The coordinator of all artistic and technical aspects of any production.

DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY (D.P.) - Supervises all decisions regarding lighting, camera lenses,
color and filters, camera angle set-ups, camera crew and film processing.

DOLLY GRIP - The crew member who moves the dolly.

DOUBLE - A performer who appears in place of another performer, i.e., as in a stunt.

D.P. - Director of Photography or Cinematographer.

ELECTRICIAN - In film, crew members who place lighting instruments, focus, gel and maneuver the lights.

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER - Person responsible for funding the production.

EXTRA - Background talent, used only in non-principal roles.

FIRST TEAM - The production term for the principal actors in a scene.

FIELD REP. - Union staff member who ensures contractual compliance on sets.

FIRST A.D. - First Assistant Director; person responsible for the running of the set. Gives instructions to
crew and talent, including calling for "first team," "quiet," "rehearsal," and "take five."

FIRST ASS'T. CAMERA OP. - First Assistant Camera Operator is responsible for focusing the camera lens
during the shooting of a scene; also known as the Focus Puller.

GAFFER - The Chief Electrician.

GRIPS - Members of the film crew who are responsible for moving set pieces, lighting equipment, dolly track
and other physical movement of equipment.

HAND MODEL - A performer whose hands are used to double for others.

IATSE - International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees; the union which represents most
off-camera crew members.

LINE PRODUCER - The proder responsible for keeping the director on time and budget; generally the most
visable producer actually on the set.

MIXER - Chief of the sound crew; responsible for the quality of the sound recording on a shoot.

P.A. - Production Assistant.

PAYMASTER - An independent talent payment service acting as the employer of record.

PRINCIPAL - A performer with lines.

PRODUCER - Often called the Line Producer; the person responsible for the day-to-day decision-making on a production.

SCRIPT SUPERVISOR - The crew member assigned to record all changes or actions as the production proceeds.

SECOND ASSISTANT DIRECTOR - Often two or three on a set, they handle checking in the talent, insuring
proper paperwork is filed, distribute script revisions. Actors check in with the 2nd A.D. upon arrival on the set.

SIGNATORY - An employer who has agreed to produce under the terms of a union contract.

STAND-INS - Extra Performers used as substitutes for featured players, for the purpose of setting lights and
rehearsing camera moves; also known as the second team.

STUNT COORDINATOR - The person in charge of designing and supervising the performance of stunts
and hazardous activities.

STUNT DOUBLE - A stuntperson who performs stunts for a principal.

STUNTPERSON - A specially trained performer who actually performs stunts.

UNDERSTUDY - A performer hired to do a role only if the featured player is unable to perform;
used primarily in live theatre.

UPM - Unit Production Manager - Oversees the crews and is handles the scheduling and all the technical
responsibilities of the production.