TV Production Personnel & Team Structure
TV Production Personnel
Introduction
- TV production is a collaborative effort, relying on the support and cooperation of a large team.
- While producers and directors make key decisions, input from creative staff and some technical crew is actively sought.
Team Divisions
- Media production teams are typically divided into two groups:
- Creative Staff
- Technical Crew
- This division is used for budgeting, separating costs into:
- Above-the-line (creative aspects)
- Below-the-line (technical aspects)
Above-the-Line Staff
- Refers to non-technical personnel, responsible for creative, aesthetic, and executive aspects.
- Includes:
- Scriptwriting
- Producing
- Acting/Performing
- Directing
Below-the-Line Staff
- Refers to the technical crew, responsible for the technical and operational aspects.
- Includes:
- Equipment operation & maintenance
- Floor tasks
Blurred Lines
- The division between above-the-line and below-the-line is not always clear.
- Generally:
- Above-the-line: Non-technical personnel
- Below-the-line: Technical personnel (production crew and engineering)
- Classification can vary based on the nature/size of the production.
- Example: Director of Photography (DP) in film vs. camera operator in small TV projects.
- In film, the DP significantly influences the aesthetics.
- In TV, the camera operator often just follows the director's instructions.
Personnel Categories and Roles
Above the Line
- Executive
- Executive Producer
- Producer
- Production Manager
- Creative
- Director
- Writer
- Art Director
- Performance
Below the Line
- Technical Production
- Technical Director
- Technician
- Audio Director
- Lighting Director
- Camera Operator
- CG/Graphics Operator
- Audio Operator
- Assistant Director
- Editor
- Stage Manager
- Stage Crew
