9 Most Underrated Positions on a Film Shoot
February 26, 2010 at 6:00 am by Max Lance - (7) Comments
Looks easy for the first six hours
Looks easy for the first six hours
9. Best Boy
Every assistant position could be deemed underrated (especially by anyone who has ever been an assistant), but extra props go for the guy that’s sparked everyone reading credits to go, “What the hell is the best boy?” Rooted in an old sailing term referring to the number one assistant, the best boy is usually the assistant to the gaffer, which is another complicated term that means electrician.
8. Boom Operator
Seems easy, right? Hold a microphone over the people speaking. Depending on the scale of production, holding that boom mic can make or break a film’s sound. It has to be in the exact right position without appearing in the frame, plus angled towards the speaker in fast dialogue. You try holding a heavy bar over your head all day during a twelve-hour shoot day, see how easy it is.
7. Color Consultant
For everyone who thought The Matrix, Batman and Memento looked cool, or wanted to know how a movie had a washed out or vibrant look, this is where the color consultant comes in. Experts with camera tricks and cinematography techniques, the color consultant can find the right ways to manipulate a camera to give a film the look that the director takes all the credit for.
6. Foley Artist
The foley artists have one of the more creative jobs on a movie set as they are responsible for coming up with clever ways to engineer non-computer generated sound effects. The perfect sound of someone creeping up a set of stairs or sneaking up on someone in an empty parking structure or an epic fist-fight. That can be coconuts banged together (see Holy Grail) or trash cans thrown at each other. It’s like Bring in Da Noise but a real job.
Writing hasn't changed in 2000 years
Writing hasn't changed in 2000 years
5. Dialogue Coach
Want to know what makes the difference between someone having a great accent and one that’s laughable? Dialogue coaches are brought in so that you don’t burst into laughter every time you hear Martin Sheen’s terrible attempt at a Boston accent through every scene of The Departed.
4. Wrangler
Not just getting to play fake touch football in commercials with Brett Favre, the wrangler is exactly what it sounds like. This is the guy who has to handle all the livestock on movies, and if you’ve seen stuff like Jumanji or Evan Almighty, you know that it’s not easy. No credit where it’s due though, another sad chapter for the American cowboy.
3. Gaffer
This position is due for some credit because the word gaffer literally translates to old man. The job describes the person who is in charge of all the electrical equipment. This might sound unspectacular, but if you have ever seen all the machinery that is involved with a film set, you’d have some more respect for the guy who can figure out how to get it all plugged in. His assistant is the best boy, which does sound weird to have an old man with a best boy.
2. Grip
Simply put, the guy who is in charge of putting everything where it’s supposed to be. While the director and cinematographer get all the glory for camera angles, beautiful shots and compelling actors, the grip is the one who makes sure that everything looks great so the people that take all the credit can thrive. Maybe it’s because no one knows what a grip is, but they let the directors work their magic.
1. Screenwriter
An obscure trade on a movie set, if he or she is even invited that is. The screenwriter provides a draft of something that you will never see produced on the screen itself. First the director gets a pass, then the “talent” makes all the needed changes, and then most dialogue gets chucked because a band wants to plug a song over a montage instead. And that’s where the movies come from.
this list is fucking retarded. a grip “makes sure everything looks great?” who wrote this crap? who paid someone to write this crap for this shitty website? unbelievable.
A good lead-in to help aspiring “filmmakers” understand that there’s more to making movies that a Director and a camera.
I’d urge those who are serious about creating a viable career in the film industry… particularly those who wish to work on set … to head over to http://www.realfilmcareer.com where you can find very detailed information about all of those jobs listed above and a lot more.
Dude, you totally forgot the production manager…
Good start! How about Studio Teacher/Onset Tutor? Three equally important roles: giving 3 hours of school a day (required by law) to young actors, expert on child labor laws and OSHA inspector to insure the safety of children on film sets which can be very dangerous!
- Phil Arnold (studio teacher “Let Me In” (2010) directed by Matt Reeves http://imdb/me/philarnold
I disagree with that list. Craft Service is listed next to last and we work our a** of for everyone. Those people listed, DO work VERY hard and have to be very skilled at what they do. I am not taking anything away from that. However, on my list would also be: PA’s, locations, the honey wagon teamster, catering, and assistants for the directors and producers.
I’m just sayin..
I’ve never seen credit given to the ‘queenTack’, the person who tackles transvestites that roam onto the set. This is a really hard job and you can thank them every time you see a movie that is free of sprinting tranny photobombers.
LOL I think these commenters take life a bit too seriously. The info above was lots of fun