Producer
A producer hires writers for shows and films, and they oversee all parts off pre-production, production and post production. It is common for a film in pre-production to have several producers. Most producers are physically on set and are always in collaboration with the director.
The producers are one of the first people to start working on production. In the pre-production, they work to get investment and get financing for the film/show. They also work with a team of writers, to make sure production is on schedule and in their budget.
The producers work together to find a director unless a director hasn’t already been assigned to the project already. They also reach out to some big name actors and actresses for the main character roles in the film/show.
A producer works with a director to bring on creative people like a cinematographer, a production designer and casting agents. It is an important role for producers to fill and it is key to hire creative and team working producers so they can hire the best of people to work on a film or show.
Producers don’t really need a lot of equipment since they are less physical and more about hiring and keeping everything on schedule. Producers have scripts for the film/show on them, they have communication technology, like walkie talkies or just a smartphone so they are able to call agencies and people.
Vocabulary a producer would need to know:
‘Call sheet’ – The assistant director will put together schedule thats given to the cast and crew. It contains things like where and when they are needed on set and when they are filming. It is often called a ‘daily call sheet’.
‘Below the line’ – It refers to the line that separates actors, directors, producers, and writers from the on-set crew.
‘First unit’ – It refers to the people who are involved in filming the parts of the film that are of most importance. These scenes usually include the lead actors of the film. In giant productions there is usually a first and second unit.
Having a producer is of most importance because they are in communication with all the department heads, and they make sure everyone is doing their job. A producer is essential so when they are being hired it is important for them to have strong management and organisational skills. They must be creative thinking and have film production experience.
Camera operator
A camera operator has skills like framing shots, being able to select the appropriate camera lenses and camera cranes so they can portray scenes in the correct way, or the way a director wants them too.
A camera operator will need a video camera. The type of camera depends on what kind of content someone wants to be filmed. Next someone would need a tripod or a camera holder. This is so still shots can be filmed and and the camera is steady when certain shots are recorded.
Next they would need a microphone. There is usually a microphone holder on set but it is needed to the camera can pick up audio clearly for the final take. They would also need audio cables and headphones. These are connected to the camera and it is important for them to check over the scenes that they have filmed so that the audio is good and they are happy with the scene.
Lenses and batteries fully charged are essential if there is a full day of filming ahead of them. Having different lenses ensures they can get the shot thy need and having multiple batteries charged can make sure the camera does not run out of charge and they don’t lose any footage that is being recorded.
Vision mixers
They work on multi-camera TV programmes. They select was the viewers see on their televisions at home. They sit next to the director in the production room, in front of monitors, and they cut between the different pictures available.
Our Director Kenzie will be in the production room with me to ensure we’re getting the correct shots and we like the layout of the camera and where the presenters will be shown.
The equipment i will be using is a program and preview bus, and i will have a wireless headset to make sure i can hear our floor manager (Leon) in the filming room.
As a vision mixer I will make sure the cameras are set in the correct place so when I cut between cameras they are in the right place and we see a clear picture of the presenters on screen.
Typically a vision mixer would be found in a video production environment such as a production control room of a television studio. They need to know how to use the buttons so they can switch cameras easily when the director would like them to.
They require high levels of concentration to ensure a smooth production. They are required to work to accommodate production requirements. They should be able to multi-task effectively. They need to have strong visual awareness, stay calm under pressure and make smart decisions.