Themotion picture was born in 1878, and while only 16 frames long,required multiple cameras and many many hours, as it was turned intoa movie by assembling the individual images one frame at a time.Flash forward over 130 years, and we can shoot more movies in a daywith our iPhones than were made in the first 20 years of film. Andwhile it's so easy to do, it's much harder to do well.
Director:
The directorcontrols the creative aspect of the movie, and is a key liaisonbetween the crew and the cast. If this is your movie and your storyidea, and the budget is modest, the director is probably you.
Cinematographer,or Director of Photography (D.O.P.):
This person isin charge of making sure the lighting and actual filming of the moviego smoothly, as well as deciding with the director how each shotshould be framed, light, and shot. He or she manages the lighting andcamera crews (or is the lighting and camera crew, on a smaller film).
Castingdirector:
The castingdirector decides which actors are best suited for the film, as wellas negotiating contracts and schedules.
Setdesigner: This person isin charge of making sure the sets correspond with the director'screative vision. He or she might also be the props master (in chargeof the items that fill the set).
Cameraoperator:
The cameraoperator does the actual shooting of the movie, working with thecameras. On a small production, this person could also be thecinematographer or the director-or both!
Sound man:
The soundman may be one or more people. Dialog needs to be recorded either inscene, or looped in later during production. Sound effects, likelasers zapping and helicopters exploding, all need to be created;music needs to be sourced, recorded, and mixed; and foley (footsteps,leather creaks, plates broken, doors slamming) all the needs to begenerated.
Costumedesigner:
On a largeproduction, this person would choose (and maybe even sew) everycostume used in the film. On smaller productions, this position isusually merged with another job.
Hair andmakeup artist:
As the nameimplies, this person is in charge of getting the actors into theright hairstyles and makeup for each scene. On a small production,this position might not even exist.
Scriptsupervisor:
The scriptsupervisor is charged with making sure the actors stay on script, andthat the continuity of the film is maintained. He or she might alsorecord the production's daily progress working through thescreenplay. On a smaller production, this might be merged withanother position.
Filmeditor:
Onceproduction has wrapped, the editor takes all the shots and combinesthem into the master. He works with the director, keeping some takesand cutting others. On a smaller movie, the director might handleediting.
Soundeditor:
The soundeditor mixes the music, dialog, foley, and effects. Mostcomputer-based film-editing software makes some allowance for audiotracks, but the addition of a skilled engineer is highly recommended.