Film Crew 101

A post production coordinator supports post-production teams as they work to deliver a finished film. Today, our host, Emmy award-winning documentary series editor and award-winning feature documentary producer, Amy Janes, talks with Sue-Ellen Chitunya, who has worked as the in-house post production coordinator for some of your favorite Marvel films including "Ant Man," "Doctor Strange," "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2," "Thor: Ragnarok," "Black Panther," "Avengers: Infinity War," and "Ant Man and the Wasp." What a fantastic list!

This episode is sponsored by Cherokee Nation Film Office.

Also referred to as a "Key Makeup" or "Key," a Key Makeup Artist assists the makeup department head and supports the department as a whole. Depending on the Head of Makeup's preferences, tasks for a key could include clerical work, taking pictures of looks and keeping track of continuity, and/or helping achieve makeup looks on talent.

During filming, the Key Makeup Artist will work with talent to help achieve the makeup looks that the department head has designed for the production. They will also act as a liaison for the makeup department when communicating with assistant directing, hair, costume, special effects, and property departments. There will be times when the makeup department will need to collaborate with these departments to make sure an actor’s look is ready for filming. The key makeup will assist the head of makeup in this capacity until production wraps.

A Unit Production Manager is responsible for advising on and overseeing the film production budget, working with department heads to hire the production film crew, and helping to keep the production on schedule throughout the filming process.

In pre-production, the Unit Production Manager hires crew members and consults with department heads to figure out what the script needs from each department to shoot the film. This entails working on the budget, gear packages, and any special equipment needed for each department. The Unit Production Manager also oversees costume fittings, hair and makeup tests, camera tests, and locations scouts. Throughout this process, they work with the shooting schedule to make sure departments will have what they need when they need it for filming.

During filming, the Unit Production Manager acts as a face for the producers on the set. They support department heads and crew to make sure the shooting schedule is accomplished. In the event that a crew member must be fired, the Unit Production Manager will accomplish the task respectfully and with regard to employment contracts and union guidelines.

A background production assistant works in the AD department. Their main focus is to organize and oversee the background actors, or extras, on set.

A background pa works with the 2nd AD to prepare for the shoot day. They’ll organize vouchers for the extras and study the shooting schedule, script, and location maps. They will need to know where departments and bathrooms are, where extras will check-in, and where to hold extras as they wait to go on set. The bg pa will also plan for extra help from other PAs to control large crowds if needed.

Each day, the bg pa arrives early to get ready for extras. They will set up a visible check-in spot for extras, communicate with the 2nd AD as they arrive, and then guide them to hair, makeup, and wardrobe. The bg pa remains in communication with the 2nd AD about how long it is taking for extras to get ready, making any casting adjustments necessary to keep the shoot on schedule and the bg count as the director and 1st AD planned.

Film Crew 101 pulls back the curtain on all the different roles that go into making a film or TV show. Ever wondered what a Gaffer or Best Boy does? Have you dreamt about working in the art department of a major movie but don’t know where to start? Or perhaps you are well on your way building a career in film and TV but want to get more insight into how other departments work. Film Crew 101 has all the answers.

If you are interested in a career in Film & TV or looking to grow your existing career further, this podcast is for you.

This podcast comes from the Oklahoma Film & TV Academy whose mission is to create a set ready workforce for Oklahoma so we can build our industry, diversify our economy, and provide stable, high paying, jobs for Oklahomans.

The content of each podcast is not Oklahoma specific but applies to film and TV productions around the globe. If a position is credited on a movie, we've sought out an experienced professional who has built a successful career in that role.