Set Crew Terminology

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (AD or 1st AD): the film director’s main link
and help, responsible for the shooting schedule, running the set,
coordinating and communicating with all other departments and
problem-solving to make things run smoothly
BEST BOY: chief assistant to the Gaffer (Chief electrician)
BOOM OPERATOR: person in the sound department who holds the boom
mic
CAMERA OPERATOR: the person who actually operates the camera
although the DP or Director sometimes do on set, as well
COSTUME DESIGNER: person in charge of the overall look of the
clothes the characters wear on-screen
COSTUME/WARDROBE SUPERVISOR: person in charge of daily operations
of the costumes
DIRECTOR: the person in charge - who decides the shot, the moves,
the acting, the set, costume, makeup and everything else
DP (Director of Photography): sometimes called Cinematographer,
this is the person who decides the lighting, camera lenses and
the way a shot is to be done, responsible for look of the film
EDITOR: the person who joins the chosen bits of different takes
together for the finished film
FIRST ASSISTANT CAMERA: person responsible for maintaining and
pulling focus during a scene
GAFFER: the chief electrician, works with DP for lighting
GRIP: transports and sets up the camera equipment, especially
tracks for dolly (on union sets nothing moves unless its by the
Grip)
HAIR STYLIST: the person who styles and cuts hair for the
production, will also assist with “last looks” before rolling
INTIMACY COORDINATOR: the person who is responsible for ensuring
the well-being of the actors who participate in scenes that have
sexual intimacy, working closely with director, DP, and cast
KEY GRIP: head of the Grip Department
LINE PRODUCER: the producer in charge of daily expenses and so
does on film what the production manager does on smaller projects
– signs expense forms
MAKEUP ARTIST: the person who applies makeup to the actors, will
also assist with “last looks” before rolling

PRODUCER: the person who is really in charge – they are
responsible for all financial and administrative aspects of the
production
PRODUCTION DESIGNER: the head of the art department, responsible
for working with the director, DP and Art Director on overall
look of film
PRODUCTION MANAGER: the coordinator of all the business and
technical matters
PA (Production Assistant): the assistant to the AD and/or other
department heads working on the film – they do anything and
everything as needed
PROP MASTER: person in charge of creating or securing properties
(props)
SECOND ASSISTANT CAMERA: responsible for organize the camera gear
and also for the slate at beginning or after each take
SET COSTUMER: person who takes care of the actors and their
costumes on set, checking for continuity and making repairs or
adjustments as needed
SET DESIGNER / DRESSER: responsible for arranging the shooting
set with furniture, decorations and graphic elements, works under
the Art Director or Production Designer
SCRIPT SUPERVISOR: the person who takes notes on continuity
(SOUND) MIXER: the person who mixes together the various inputs
from the microphones
STUNT COORDINATOR: the person who is responsible for executing
and creating the physical illusion of danger, collaborate with
director, cast, stunt performers on execution
STUNT PERFORMER: the person who carries out a given stunt,
conceived by the director and stunt coordinator
VFX SUPERVISOR: the person on set who is responsible for the
final look of the effect and looking at execution of elements on
the shoot