On Location

This is where the adrenaline courses through the body and tempers can run a little hot. A film set is an exciting place. Here's a little bit about what goes on, who does what, and a little bit about how they do it.

People think of writers, painters, etc., as lonely figures toiling in a remote garret somewhere. But a novelist needs a publisher and a printer and a distributor and a bookshop; a painter needs a gallery and...

Film and television need many more people than that. Even the tiniest home video will probably involve half a dozen people. And Titanic was reputed to have involved over two thousand people just on the shoot and edit.

It's teamwork, and managing a large team is complex and difficult. It's just as well to know what the other chap's capabilities and limitations are.

	The Director The team leader. Supplier of beer. He who carries the can. Not the film can, of course.
	The Cameraman He who has an assistant to carry the film can. Picture taker, cinematographer, DP - a man of many names. And many duties.
	The Sound Recordist The forgotten part of the team. All too often the sound recordist is left out of things until the last minute. A good sound track can really enhance a production; a bad one can ruin it.
	The Performer Them chaps out front who know no fear. Or who know it very well, puke up, then carry on regardless. Hey! Good name for a film...

Production Sections