Video Production Crew

The people that make the magic happen

Director

A video director controls the vision of the entire video production shoot. He or she has an understanding of every crew member’s roles. A good director knows how to get the best performance out of everyone involved in the video production shoot. The director especially works closely with the DP or director of photography to ensure a smooth and successful production.

Producer

Producer is a vague term. Many studios have different definitions of what a producer’s role is. For us, the producer is the person who keeps the production together and makes sure everyone is in proper communication. They may take notes during the entire process so that the editor understands the vision. They should also have a good grasp on the director’s vision of the final product and what they expect from every crew member. Producers can also play the role of the interviewer. Sometimes the producer is the highest ranking crew member on set, and on occasion may act as the director.

Director of Photography / DP

A director of photography or DP is the highest ranking camera operator on set. He or she has a full understanding of how all shots are filmed and framed. They consider many aspects including background, foreground, characters, angles, lighting and action. A good DP can work in difficult situations to make the image look better than it does in real life.

Camera Operator

An experienced camera operator knows how to get the best possible shots using the right camera and lenses for a given situation. They know all the ins and outs when it comes to framing, composition, camera settings, camera movements, and camera gear. They will usually take direction from either the director or producer in order to achieve the look and specific shots required for any particular shoot.

Sound Person / Audio Engineer

A sound person or audio engineer records the audio during production. Sometimes the audio engineer only has the role of capturing audio. Other times a DP or camera operator may double as an audio engineer depending on the client’s budget. Audio is sometimes an overlooked aspect of video production, but is extremely important. Audiences may lose interest in your video if the audio recording is not stellar. Be sure to make sure you have an accomplished audio engineer available while filming your video.

Gaffer / Lighting Person

The gaffer is the chief lighting technician on a set and is head of the electrical department. The gaffer’s job is to run a team of lighting technicians to execute the lighting plan for a production. During filming, they work out the positioning of the lights and fastest way to change the lighting setups between shots. Gaffers mediate between the DoP and the rest of the lighting crew. The name “gaffer” in Hollywood actually comes from British slang for a tool called the “gaff,” which was a hooked metal pole used in theater to adjust the stage lights.

Interviewer

An interviewer is the person who conducts the video interview on camera to gather narration for a story. There is an entire art to interviewing. A good interviewer can get clear and compelling dialogue out of almost any person being interviewed. Many times, interviewees (the person being interviewed) are nervous on camera. They may have a hard time being themselves on camera. For an experienced interviewer, this is usually not an issue. Controlling the conversation and steering the interviewee towards key messages is expected and is part of the interviewer’s job.

Video Editor

The video editor’s key role is to bring a production to life by putting together all the elements needed in order to reach the end result for any video. Editors are one of the last people to touch a project before the final product is delivered to a client. They use creative processes to enhance footage, add transitions, create graphics, apply color correction and spice up videos with music scores, sound effects, and titling. There are many components to editing that help enhance the footage for the end result product. Depending on the type of video editing needed, the editor ensures that the goal is reached after the filming and production process takes place.