FILMMAKING & AUDIOVISUAL

The assistant director is the director’s closest collaborator, responsible for planning film or TV program shoots and ensuring they run smoothly at every stage. During the preparation phase, the assistant director breaks down the production plan or script, writing the technical sheets and drawing up a shooting schedule alongside the production manager. During shooting, they adjust scheduling, organize the staging, draw up the call sheet, and oversee the hiring of extras where necessary.

The screenwriter writes or co-writes scripts for film or TV dramas and documentaries, either from an idea of their own or one suggested by a director or producer.

During the development phase, they transform this idea into the storyline of the drama or documentary, or they may write a number of drafts to hone it into an agreed format for the final script and dialog. They may make changes to the script throughout the various production phases, right up until shooting.

The director gives a film or audiovisual program its shape. They are involved in setting up the project, direct the filming, and steer editing and mixing choices in post-production.

The script supervisor’s job is to monitor continuity and ensure sound and visual consistency during the shooting phase, which is when the script is transformed into a tangible visual object. Before, during and after shooting, they work closely with the director, whose artistic imperatives they bear in mind while overseeing all the vital details to ensure that every shot is “matched” and “editable”.

Works solo or with a crew, and/or under a director’s leadership to ensure perfect framing and image quality, and to capture and record sequences of images on video or other digital media.

The camera operator is responsible for framing the shots and coordinating the camera’s movements, taking instruction from the director on the artistic side and from the director of photography on the technical side. They ensure that images are sharp, well composed and stable. There are also various camera operator roles in the production of one-off TV broadcasts, which are not covered here.

The director of photography is responsible for the lighting and photography in filmmaking. They contribute to shaping the esthetic aspects of a film and the image rendition, showcasing the topic and actors to best effect. They design the visuals based on the script and in discussion with the director. During shooting, their work focuses on lighting the shots to be filmed. At the end of shooting, the director of photography oversees color correction and may be involved in the finishing process.

In the post-production phase, editing consists in making artistic choices in compiling, selecting and assembling the frames and sounds to make sequences, then synchronizing the image sequences with the soundtrack.

A photojournalist is a reporter who specializes in news photography and filming. They are skilled in gathering, assessing and using audiovisual footage. They need the technical ability to take pictures, along with the initiative and judgment of a journalist. They work in the field solo or with a crew.

Master control or playout is the department responsible for broadcasting programs on one or more television channels. Its mission is to ensure program continuity and quality while adhering to the planned schedules.

The video operations technician may work in a variety of environments: on set, in a natural outdoor setting, or in a television studio control room. The video operations technician installs the shooting equipment, adjusts the projectors and spotlights, and ensures that a live TV program is appearing on screen. They also videorecord sequences, manage equipment maintenance and take part in technical installation and investment projects.

In the studio, the sound technician is the engineer’s assistant. Their role involves preparing for the session: setting up instruments, greeting the artistes, installing the microphone kit, cabling and testing. In the booth, they configure the console and recording software.

The post-production technician coordinates and liaises between the production team, the director and the technical team responsible for post-production. They plan and monitor the various stages of post-production. On completion, they draw up the accounts, invoicing the client and paying personnel. Depending on how the company is organized, the post-production manager may be responsible for drawing up estimates. They may also perform catalog management tasks for rights holders who have entrusted this to a third-party company. They may work on movies, standalone or serial TV dramas, documentaries, and even throwaway programs such as magazine shows and news reports.