Filmmaking takes a village. And not just VIDEO VILLAGE (where key production personnel gather to monitor and review the footage being shot in real-time to assess the quality of the shots and make immediate adjustments if necessary).

The primary people found in Video Village usually include:

Director: Oversees the creative aspects of the film or TV show and makes decisions about the visual and performance elements, including YOUR performance. This is one of the positions you’ll likely interact with the most.

Producer: May be present to ensure that the production stays on schedule and within budget and can also weigh in on your performance.

Cinematographer looking at multiple cameras.

Director of Photography (DP) or Cinematographer: Monitors the visual aspects of the shoot, including lighting and camera work, ensuring that the footage aligns with the director's vision, elevating your performance.

Script Supervisor advising on set.

Script Supervisor: Keeps track of continuity, making sure that the details in the scenes match across different takes and shooting days. This creative human may correct you on your lines, remind you in which hand you were holding a glass in another take, how your legs were crossed, etc.

Assistant Director advising on set.

Assistant Directors (ADs): May be present to coordinate logistics and manage the shooting schedule. The fact that this creative is facilitating these aspects allows you to focus on your performance.

A Makeup Artist putting makeup on an actress.

Other crew members, such as production designers, costume designers, and makeup artists might also be present occasionally to check that their respective elements are being captured correctly on camera. Again, all of these creative humans, including you, are working toward a common goal: telling the story as a team!

In addition to those in Video Village, there are sometimes over a hundred other specialized professionals, each contributing to different aspects of the production process. You may or may not interact with all of them, but they all definitely help make the magic happen. Here is a breakdown of key crew members and their roles:

Dialogue/Acting Coach:
Supports production in assuring there’s a liaison between the actor and what the writers and producers are hoping to achieve. (I listed this one first because it’s a hat I’m proud to have been wearing for almost a decade.)

Art Director:
Manages the art department, working under the production designer to execute their vision.

Costume Designer:
Designs the clothing and costumes worn by the cast.

Makeup Artist and Hair Stylist:
Prepares and maintains the cast’s appearance through makeup and hair styling.

Editor:
Assembles the recorded footage into a coherent film or TV show, working on pacing, transitions, and overall structure.

Sound Designer:
Creates the audio landscape of the film, including sound effects and ambiance.

Composer:
Creates the musical score for the film.

Casting Director:
Identifies and auditions actors to fill the roles in the production.

Production Manager:
Handles the day-to-day operations of the production, including budgeting and scheduling.

Second Assistant Director (2nd AD):
Supports the 1st AD, handling logistics such as call sheets and managing extras.

Gaffer:
Head of the lighting department, responsible for the execution of the lighting plan.

Best Boy:
Assists the gaffer (Best Boy Electric) or the key grip (Best Boy Grip).

Key Grip:
Manages the grip department, responsible for camera rigs, dollies, and other equipment.

Location Manager:
Finds and secures locations for shooting and manages location logistics.

Sound Mixer:
Captures and mixes the audio on set during filming.

Boom Operator:
Holds and operates the boom microphone to capture dialogue and sound.

Prop Master:
Manages and sources all props used in the production.

Set Decorator:
Decorates the set to match the visual style and era of the production.

Special Effects Supervisor:
Oversees practical effects, including explosions, weather effects, and other physical simulations.

Visual Effects Supervisor:
Manages post-production visual effects, including CGI and digital enhancements.

Stunt Coordinator:
Plans and oversees stunt sequences, ensuring safety and realism.

Unit Production Manager (UPM):
Manages the production unit and handles financial and organizational aspects on set.

Production Assistants (PAs):
Entry-level; often considered a stepping stone to other roles. Involves a variety of tasks that support the crew and ensure smooth operation of the production.

As mentioned, this list isn't exhaustive, but it covers many of the primary roles in a TV or film production. The specific crew composition can vary depending on the size and scope of the project.