The key relationship for filming is between the screen production’s location manager and the event managers, and these people should negotiate and confirm the details of filming for all productions and events. However, many departments in the screen production will have specific requests before and during location filming, and it’s useful for all workers to understand why the requests are being made, and what are the responsibilities of key production personnel. The event manager remains the key channel of
communication for all workers.

All crew and cast have a duty of care in respect of workplace health and safety issues, and public safety issues.

The Producer is the key person in charge of the entire production. He or she will have selected the script, raised the finance, appointed cast and key personnel and have oversight of all areas, and departments for both creative and administrative aspects of the production. The Producer can be seen as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the production or event. Most important for location filming, the producer has responsibility for ensuring that all the relevant documents, insurances and Health and Safety (OHS) measures are in place.

The Production Manager is responsible for keeping track of the budget; approving schedules and call sheets, and hiring and firing crew. With location filming, the production manager may become involved in more complex issues of approval, oversight and insurance.

The Location Manager is initially responsible for finding and securing locations that fit the creative, budgetary and scheduling needs of the production, and then for managing the locations during the shoot. He or she acts as the representative of the Production Company and negotiates with property owners, states, municipalities or councils and relevant authorities on location details, approvals and, if necessary, price.

The Unit Manager (at Iconic Productions we refer to this role as the Vehicle & Transport Supervisor) is responsible for vehicle parking, both essential vehicles and private vehicles, and for the hour-to-hour management of the filming site. If the location manager is not on-site on the filming day, then the unit manager is the main contact for location issues.

The Director is responsible for the overall creative vision of the screen production including the performance by the actors, and managing all creative elements of the production. He or she will be looking for a location with a particular “look” and may want to shoot in one direction or another to emphasise or hide part of the streetscape or landscape.

The 1st Assistant Director (aka AD) works with the Director to manage day to day and minute to minute operations on set during filming. The 1st AD prepares the shooting schedule and organises each shooting day to make the best and most efficient use of a location, and may have requests, for example, about the time of day to shoot sequences and traffic or pedestrian control. If weather or other factors delay filming, the 1st AD will re-schedule the production to provide another opportunity to achieve the affected scenes.

The Director of Photography (aka DP or DoP) is the head of the Camera Department, responsible for the look of the screen production. The DOP creates the visual representation of the script: camera, film stock, lenses, lighting style and color scheme, and the composition of each shot. On location, the DOP may, for example, wish to shoot at a particular time of day or from a particular side of the road so that the actors and the setting are shown in the most appropriate light. With night shoots, the DOP will have requests and requirements about the size and positions of the lights.

The Production Designer is the head of the Art Department, and is responsible for planning and overseeing the creation of the sets, scenery, costumes, and other items that appear in front of the camera. The art director and construction manager report to the production designer and also have requests and responsibilities when filming is taking place on location. For example, they may wish to remove modern street lighting for a period film or change street signage to indicate a different country.

The Gaffer is responsible for supplying the lighting to the set, and for the power source, whether this is the generator or on-site power. They also take responsibility for the safety of electric power and lighting both for the film’s employees and for the general public.

The Grip is responsible for all equipment that supports the camera, from a simple tripod to dollies, cranes, tracking vehicles, boats and aircraft.

For further (entertaining and informative) descriptions of crew roles please see the following glossaries.

1. Studio Binders ... Ultimate Guide to Film Crew Positions (Jobs & Duties Explained)
2. Film Crew Jobs & Responsibilities (long list)
3. Video Collectivies ... Filmmaker Resources » Film Crew Glossary (long list, however easy to read)

Questions Asked and Answered

1. David Phillips | 09-Jun-2022 03:30 | Who is Who on a Film Production Crew
   Question: Is the "duty of care" a formal document or course that needs to be undertaken and signed off on?
   1. answered by @steve.baltzois 09-Jul-2022 15:33
      1. A duty of care is a responsibility a person has to a task or job or work.  It is not a course or document.  The best definition I can find is the tort law as written in wikipedia.  Since the link to the actual definition. Click here for Tort Law on Duty of Care.