A

Armorer

The armorer manages every weapon on a production, from rubber background pieces to firing blanks.

Props / Special Effects · IATSE Local 44 (property craft, LA) / Local 52 (NY)

~$500–$1,500/day3–7 yrs

Art Director

The art director runs the art department day to day, turning the production designer's concepts into drawings, budgets, and build schedules.

Art Department · IATSE Art Directors Guild, Local 800

~$3,000–$7,500/wk2–6 yrs

Assistant Director (1st AD)

The first assistant director owns the shooting schedule and runs the set.

Production · Directors Guild of America

~$5,300–$5,900/wk1–3 yrs

Animal Wrangler

Animal wranglers supply, train, and handle every animal that appears on camera, from a housecat to a herd of horses.

Transportation / Livestock · Teamsters (wranglers and trainers)

~$300–$450/dayEntry level

More credited A roles

Actor Accounting Clerk Action Choreographer Action Coordinator Action Director Action Vehicles Coordinator ADR Editor ADR Engineer ADR Mixer ADR Recordist ADR Supervisor ADR Voice Casting Aerial Cinematographer Animatic Editor Animation Checker Animation Coordinator Animation Director Animation Producer Animation Production Assistant Animation Production Manager Animation Supervisor Animation Timer Animator Apprentice Editor Art Coordinator Art Department Assistant Art Department Coordinator Artistic Director As-Broadcast Script Creator Assembly Editor Assistant Accountant Assistant Action Coordinator Assistant Animation Director Assistant Animator Assistant Art Director Assistant Camera Assistant Casting Director Assistant Costume Designer Assistant Costumer Assistant Director Assistant Editor Assistant Episode Director Assistant Fight Coordinator Assistant Hair Stylist Assistant Location Coordinator Assistant Location Manager Assistant Location Scout Assistant Locations Manager Assistant Makeup Artist Assistant Music Editor Assistant On-Line Editor Assistant Producer Assistant Production Coordinator Assistant Production Designer Assistant Production Manager Assistant Property Master Assistant Props Assistant Script Coordinator Assistant Script Editor Assistant Script Supervisor Assistant Set Decorator Assistant Sound Assistant Sound Editor Assistant Stunt Coordinator Assistant Stylist Assistant Unit Manager Associate Casting Director Associate Costume Designer Associate Creative Director Associate Director Associate Editor Associate Head Writer Associate Makeup Artist Associate Producer Associate Production Designer Associate Story Producer Audience Producer Audio Assistant Audio Engineer Audio Mixer Audio Operator Audio Supervisor Avid Editor

B

Best Boy (Electric and Grip)

Each of the two biggest technical departments has a best boy: the gaffer's second in electric and the key grip's second in grip.

Lighting / Grip · IATSE Local 728 (electric) / Local 80 (grip), LA

~$300–$1,000/day3–7 yrs

Boom Operator

The boom operator holds the microphone at the edge of frame, following dialogue with a pole that can weigh real money by hour ten.

Sound · IATSE Local 695 and craft locals

~$450–$750/day1–3 yrs

Background Actor

Background actors, also called extras, populate the world of a scene: the diners in the restaurant, the pedestrians on the street.

Cast · SAG-AFTRA

~$208/dayEntry level

More credited B roles

BTS Videographer BTS Photographer Body Double B Camera Operator Background Artist Background Casting Background Casting Associate Background Designer Background Layout Artist Background Painter Background Supervisor Balloon Light Technician Best Boy Electric Best Boy Grip Boat Captain Boxing Trainer Bus Driver

C

Casting Director

The casting director finds the actors.

Casting · Teamsters Local 399 (LA) / Local 817 (NY); the CSA is a society, not a union

~$3,000–$6,000/wk4–8 yrs

Costume Designer

The costume designer creates the clothing language of the production: what every character wears and what it says about them.

Costume · IATSE Costume Designers Guild, Local 892

~$3,000/wk7–13 yrs

Colorist

The colorist grades the finished picture, balancing every shot and shaping the final look with the director of photography.

Post-Production · IATSE Local 700 (colorists)

~$800–$2,500/day0–2 yrs

Craft Service

Craft service keeps the crew fed and watered between catered meals, which sounds small and is not: a twelve-hour day runs on the crafty table.

Production Support · IATSE in major markets

~$250–$450/day3–7 yrs

More credited C roles

Compositor Camera Car Driver Camera Car Operator Camera Operator Camera Supervisor Camera Utility Car Stunts Carpenter Cast Driver Casting Administrator Casting Agent Casting Assistant Casting Assistant Producer Casting Associate Casting Associate Producer Casting Consultant Casting Coordinator Casting Editor Casting Manager Casting Producer Casting Production Assistant Casting Researcher Casting Supervisor Cel Painter CG Artist CG Supervisor Challenge Producer Character Animator Character Designer Character Layout Artist Chief Animation Director Chief Art Director Chief Assistant Director Chief Director Chief Editor Chief Lighting Technician Chief Of Production Chief Producer Chief Set Decorator Choreographer Clapper Loader Clean-Up Artist Collaborating Director Collaborating Writer Color Correction Color Designer Color Grader Color Key Artist Color Stylist Color Timer Colourist Commissioning Editor Composer Composer Additional Music Compositing Supervisor Concept Artist Condor Operator Construction Coordinator Construction Driver Construction Foreman Construction Laborer Construction Manager Consulting Art Director Consulting Editor Consulting Producer Content Director Content Producer Continuity Assistant Continuity Coordinator Continuity Director Continuity Supervisor Contributing Writer Coordinating Director Coordinating Editor Coordinating Producer Costume Advisor Costume Assistant Costume Associate Costume Buyer Costume Coordinator Costume Cutter Costume Design Assistant Costume Maker Costume Production Assistant Costume Set Supervisor Costume Standby Costume Supervisor Costume Team Covering Stunt Coordinator Creative Associate Creative Director Creative Producer Creative Production Designer Creature Effects Creature Effects Supervisor Crowd Assistant Director Crowd Second Assistant Director

D

Director

The director is responsible for the creative execution of the film: performance, coverage, tone, and pace.

Above the Line · Directors Guild of America

~$22K–$24K/wk5–12 yrs

Director of Photography

The DP, or cinematographer, owns the image: lensing, lighting, exposure, and camera movement.

Camera · IATSE Local 600, International Cinematographers Guild

~$650–$5,000+/day7–16 yrs

Dolly Grip

The dolly grip builds and drives the camera dolly, laying track, leveling it to millimeter tolerances, and executing moves in exact sync with the operator and the actors.

Grip · IATSE Local 80 (grips, LA); craft locals elsewhere

~$350–$1,000/day3–5 yrs

DIT (Digital Imaging Technician)

The DIT manages the digital image pipeline on set: media offloads, backups, exposure monitoring, and on-set color so the DP can see something close to the final grade.

Camera · IATSE Local 600

~$500–$1,800/day1–5 yrs

E

Editor

The editor assembles the picture from dailies, shaping performance, pace, and story in the cut.

Post-Production · IATSE Local 700, Motion Picture Editors Guild

~$3,500–$8,000/wk4–10 yrs

Electrician (Set Lighting Technician)

Electricians run the power and rig the lights under the gaffer and best boy electric.

Electric · IATSE Local 728 (LA); craft locals elsewhere

~$250–$850/day0–2 yrs

Executive Producer

Executive producer covers a range of realities: the person who financed the film, the packager who attached the elements, or the studio's senior representative.

Above the Line · Not unionized

~$150K–$500K/yr9–17 yrs

F

First Assistant Camera (Focus Puller)

The 1st AC keeps the image sharp, pulling focus by distance and instinct as actors and camera move.

Camera · IATSE Local 600

~$450–$1,300/day2–5 yrs

Foley Artist

Foley artists perform everyday sounds in sync with the picture: footsteps, cloth, props set on tables.

Post-Production Sound · IATSE Local 700

~$500–$1,000/day0–2 yrs

Fight or Stunt Choreographer

Fight choreographers design screen combat that reads clearly on camera and can be performed safely take after take.

Stunts · SAG-AFTRA

~$800–$2,000/day3–6 yrs

G

Gaffer

The gaffer is the chief lighting technician and head of the electric department, executing the DP's lighting plan with a crew of electricians.

Electric · IATSE Local 728 (set lighting technicians, LA); craft locals elsewhere

~$350–$1,500/day6–13 yrs

Grip

Grips shape light and support the camera with everything that does not draw power: stands, flags, frames, dollies, cranes, and rigging.

Grip · IATSE Local 80 (grips, LA); craft locals elsewhere

~$250–$800/day0–2 yrs

Greensperson

The greens department handles plants and landscape on camera: dressing a jungle onto a soundstage, reviving a lawn between takes, or clearing sightlines a location scout never noticed.

Art Department · IATSE craft locals

~$40–$65/hr0–2 yrs

More credited G roles

Games Programmer General Director General Manager General Producer Generator Operator Genny Operator Graphic Artist Graphic Designer Graphics Team

H

Hair Department Head (Key Hair)

Key hair designs and maintains every hairstyle on the production, from lead character looks to background continuity.

Hair and Makeup · IATSE Local 706 (LA) / Local 798 (NY)

~$699/day3–6 yrs

Health and Safety Officer

Dedicated safety officers assess risks, enforce protocols, and document compliance, a role that expanded across the industry after 2020.

Production · Varies by market

~$500–$1,200/day3–7 yrs

More credited H roles

Hair And Makeup Artist Hair Department Head Hair Designer Hair Stylist Hair Supervisor Head Carpenter Head Costume Designer Head Director Head Driver Head Editor Head Of Production Head Of Research Head Script Editor Head Set Decorator Head Wardrobe Head Writer Honeywagon Driver Horse Master

I

Intimacy Coordinator

Intimacy coordinators choreograph scenes involving nudity or simulated sex, advocating for performer consent and translating the director's intent into agreed, repeatable action.

Production · SAG-AFTRA accredited

~$1,000–$2,000/dayEntry level

Illustrator / Concept Artist

Production illustrators visualize the film before it exists: key frames, environments, vehicles, and creatures that let directors and department heads agree on a target.

Art Department · IATSE Local 800

~$350–$650/dayEntry level

More credited I roles

Image Designer Inbetween Animator Inbetween Artist Inbetween Checker Incidental Music Ink And Paint Artist Insert Car Driver Interior Decorator Interview Director

J

Jib / Crane Operator

Jib and crane operators fly the camera on arms ranging from a compact jib to a 50-foot telescoping techno crane.

Grip / Camera · IATSE craft locals

~$650–$1,800/day4–8 yrs

More credited J roles

Jib Operator

K

Key Grip

The key grip heads the grip department, partnering with the gaffer to execute the DP's plan and owning camera support and rigging safety.

Grip · IATSE Local 80 (grips, LA); craft locals elsewhere

~$350–$1,500/day6–13 yrs

Key Makeup Artist

The key makeup artist designs and runs makeup for the production, from beauty and character work to tattoos and injuries.

Hair and Makeup · IATSE Local 706 (LA) / Local 798 (NY)

~$570/day4–9 yrs

More credited K roles

Key Animator Key Assistant Location Manager Key Assistant Location Manager/Scout Key Costumer Key Hair Stylist Key Layout Artist Key Location Assistant Key Location Manager Key Location Production Assistant Key Location Scout Key Rigging Grip Key Second Assistant Director Key Set Costumer Key Set Decorator Key Special Effects Key Stunt Rigger

L

Line Producer

The line producer runs the physical production against the budget: crewing, scheduling, vendors, insurance, and the daily cost report.

Production · Not a DGA-covered title (the DGA covers the UPM); often non-union, PGA-associated

~$5,000–$12,000/wk5–12 yrs

Location Manager

Location managers find, secure, and run every real-world place a production shoots.

Locations · Teamsters Local 399 in Los Angeles; varies

~$3,500–$5,500+/wk4–8 yrs

Loader (2nd Assistant Camera)

The 2nd AC runs the slate, manages media and camera paperwork, and marks actors.

Camera · IATSE Local 600

~$350–$950/day0–2 yrs

M

Makeup Artist

Makeup artists execute the key's designs across cast and background, holding continuity through long schedules.

Hair and Makeup · IATSE Local 706 (LA) / Local 798 (NY)

~$546/day1–3 yrs

Medic (Set Medic)

The set medic is the production's first responder, present whenever the crew works and mandatory on stunt and effects days.

Production Support · IATSE in some markets

~$350–$650/dayEntry level

Music Supervisor

Music supervisors find and license every existing song in the film, negotiating sync rights against a music budget and clearing every use.

Post-Production · Not unionized

~$2,500–$5,000/wk2–4 yrs

N

Nodal / Remote Head Technician

Remote head techs operate and maintain the gyro-stabilized and nodal heads that let a camera ride cranes, wires, and camera cars while an operator frames from the ground.

Camera / Grip · IATSE Local 600 (Remote Camera Technician)

~$700–$2,000/day5–9 yrs

More credited N roles

Negative Cutter New Media Producer Nucleus Director

O

On-Set Dresser

The on-set dresser is the set decoration department's representative during shooting, maintaining the dressed set take to take and resetting props and furniture for continuity.

Set Decoration · IATSE craft locals

~$45–$70/hr2–4 yrs

More credited O roles

Orchestrator Off-Line Editor Office Production Assistant On-Line Editor On-Set Location Manager Original Art Director Original Casting Original Casting Director Original Character Designer Original Music Composer Original Production Designer Original Score Composer Output/Finish Editor Overseas Animation Director

P

Picture Car Coordinator

The picture car coordinator sources, schedules, and manages every vehicle that appears on camera.

Transportation · Teamsters

~$500–$1,200+/day3–6 yrs

Precision Driver

Precision drivers execute exact vehicle work on camera: hitting marks at speed, close formation traffic, and controlled slides.

Stunts / Transportation · SAG-AFTRA when on camera

~$1,000–$3,000/day5–10 yrs

Producer

The producer develops the project, assembles financing, hires the key creative team, and carries the film from idea through delivery.

Above the Line · Not unionized; PGA is a professional association

~$90K–$300K/yr6–13 yrs

Production Assistant

PAs are the entry point of the industry: locking up set, running paperwork, moving people and things wherever needed.

Production · Not unionized

~$175–$300/dayEntry level

Production Designer

The production designer owns the entire visual world of the film except what the actors do: sets, locations, palette, props, vehicles, and graphics all express their design.

Art Department · IATSE Local 800

~$3,500–$18,000/wk6–13 yrs

Prop Master

The prop master finds, makes, and manages everything an actor handles: the watch, the letter, the weapon, the meal.

Props · IATSE Local 44 (property craft, LA); Local 52 (NY)

~$48–$75/hr2–6 yrs

More credited P roles

Post Production Accountant Pyrotechnician Post-Production Supervisor Prosthetics Artist Painter Payroll Accountant Personal Driver Personal Hairstylist Personal Makeup Artist Picture Car Mechanic Picture Car Wrangler Picture Editor Picture Vehicle Coordinator Planning Manager Planning Producer Playback Operator Playback Singer Post Producer Post Production Producer Post Production Supervisor Post Supervisor Post-Production Assistant Post-Production Audio Post-Production Coordinator Post-Production Manager Post-Production Project Manager Post-Production Sound Previs Artist Principal Art Director Principal Cinematographer Principal Costume Standby Principal Director Principal Director Of Photography Process Trailer Driver Production Accountant Production Art Director Production Associate Production Boss Production Buyer Production Chief Production Controller Production Coordinator Production Director Production Driver Production Leader Production Sound Mixer Production Supervisor Production Van Driver Production Van Driver Operator Project Manager Promo Director Promo Editor Prop Designer Property Master Propmaker Props Buyer Props Driver Prosthetic Makeup Artist Publicist Puppeteer

Q

QC (Quality Control) Technician

QC technicians inspect finished masters against delivery specifications before a film ships to a studio or streamer: audio levels, subtitle timing, dropped frames, color space compliance.

Post-Production · Varies by facility

~$250–$450/day0–2 yrs

R

Rigging Gaffer / Rigging Key Grip

Rigging crews work ahead of the shooting company, pre-lighting stages and pre-building grip infrastructure so the main unit walks into a set that is ready.

Electric / Grip · IATSE Local 728 (electric) / Local 80 (grip), LA

~$400–$1,400/day6–11 yrs

Re-recording Mixer

Re-recording mixers create the final soundtrack on the dub stage, balancing dialogue, music, and effects into the mix that plays in theaters and on streamers.

Post-Production Sound · IATSE Local 700

~$2,800–$5,500/wk3–5 yrs

More credited R roles

Reality Director Recording Director Recording Engineer Regie Assistant Riding Double Rigging Electrician Rigging Gaffer Rigging Grip Roto Artist Roto/Paint Artist Rough Cut Editor

S

Script Supervisor

The script supervisor tracks continuity across every take: dialogue as spoken, blocking, props, wardrobe, screen direction, and timing.

Production · IATSE Local 871 (West) / Local 161 (East)

~$450–$700/day1–3 yrs

Set Decorator

The set decorator furnishes the world the production designer conceived: furniture, drapery, fixtures, and the thousand objects that make a set read as lived-in.

Set Decoration · IATSE Local 44 and craft locals

~$2,800–$6,500/wk5–9 yrs

Sound Mixer (Production Sound)

The production sound mixer captures dialogue on set, balancing radio mics and the boom into clean tracks the post team can build on.

Sound · IATSE Local 695 and craft locals

~$650–$1,100/day4–9 yrs

Stunt Coordinator

The stunt coordinator designs and supervises every stunt, hires the stunt performers, and owns the safety plan for action sequences.

Stunts · SAG-AFTRA

~$1,100–$2,500/day7–14 yrs

Steadicam Operator

Steadicam operators fly the camera on a body-worn stabilizer, walking shots that would otherwise need track or a crane.

Camera · IATSE Local 600

~$800–$2,500/day5–9 yrs

Studio Teacher

When minors work on a production, a studio teacher is legally required, combining set education with enforcement of child labor limits.

Production · IATSE Local 884 in California

~$500–$650/dayEntry level

SFX Supervisor (Special Effects)

Special effects covers physical, on-camera effects: rain, wind, fire, breakaways, car rigs, and pyrotechnics.

Special Effects · IATSE Local 44 and craft locals

~$600–$1,200/day6–10 yrs

More credited S roles

Set Production Assistant Second Assistant Accountant Supporting Actor Stand-In Stakebed Driver Star Trailer Driver Safety Diver Safety Officer Safety Supervisor Scenic Artist Scenic Designer Scenic Painter Scheduling Assistant Director Score Composer Score Mixer Score Producer Scoring Mixer Script Advisor Script Assistant Script Associate Script Consultant Script Coordinator Script Editor Script Manager Script Producer Script Production Assistant Script Researcher Script Translator Sculptor Seamstress Second Assistant Camera Second Assistant Editor Second Cinematographer Second Director Second Makeup Artist Second Production Manager Second Unit Director Secondary Key Animator Segment Cinematographer Segment Composer Segment Director Segment Director Of Photography Segment Editor Segment Producer Senior Animator Senior Art Director Senior Associate Producer Senior Casting Director Senior Casting Producer Senior Compositor Senior Coordinating Producer Senior Director Senior Editor Senior Executive Producer Senior Field Producer Senior Producer Senior Production Designer Senior Production Manager Senior Script Editor Senior Segment Producer Senior Special Effects Technician Senior Story Producer Senior Supervising Producer Sequence Director Series Art Director Series Assistant Director Series Cinematographer Series Composer Series Costume Designer Series Designer Series Director Series Director Of Photography Series Editor Series Music Series Producer Series Production Designer Series Script Editor Series Set Decorator Service Driver Set Builder Set Costumer Set Decoration Buyer Set Designer Set Dresser Set Location Manager Set Manager Set Medic Set Supervisor Set Unit Manager Sheet Timer Shooting Director Show Editor Smoke Artist Snow Effects Technician Sound Designer Sound Director Sound Editor Sound Effects Sound Effects Editor Sound Engineer Sound Mixer Sound Post-Producer Sound Re-Recordist Sound Recordist Sound Supervisor Sound Technician Sound Utility Special Effects Assistant Special Effects Buyer Special Effects Coordinator Special Effects Crew Special Effects Designer Special Effects Director Special Effects First Assistant Special Effects Floor Supervisor Special Effects Foreman Special Effects Makeup Special Effects Operator Special Effects Props Special Effects Supervisor Special Effects Technician Special Makeup Effects Artist Special Photographic Effects Specialty Costumes Spiels Director Staff Writer Stage Hand Stage Manager Stand-By Props Standby Art Director Stereo Compositor Still Photographer Stop Motion Animator Story And Screenplay Story Coordinator Story Editor Story Producer Storyboard Artist Storyboard Revisionist Studio Director Stunt Actor Stunt Arranger Stunt Assistant Stunt Choreographer Stunt Department Coordinator Stunt Director Stunt Double Stunt Driver Stunt Fighter Stunt Performer Stunt Pilot Stunt Player Stunt Rider Stunt Rigger Stunt Rigging Coordinator Stunt Safety Stunt Supervisor Suit Actor Supersuit Designer Supervising Art Director Supervising Casting Director Supervising Casting Producer Supervising Cheif Director Supervising Composer Supervising Director Supervising Editor Supervising Film Editor Supervising Location Manager Supervising Music Editor Supervising Producer Supervising Production Designer Supervising Script Editor Supervising Script Producer Supervising Sound Editor Supervising Story Producer Supervising Writer Swing Gang

T

Transportation Coordinator

The transportation coordinator runs the production's fleet: trucks, trailers, vans, and the drivers who move a small city every day.

Transportation · Teamsters

~$4,000/wk6–11 yrs

Teamster Driver (Picture Car Driver)

Teamster drivers move everything the production owns or rents, including the picture cars, which travel by transport or trailer under a driver's care.

Transportation · Teamsters

~$70K–$150K+/yrEntry level

Title Designer

Title designers create the opening sequence and end crawl, work that ranges from typography over picture to fully produced main-title films.

Post-Production · Varies

~$500–$1,200/day0–2 yrs

U

Unit Production Manager

The UPM manages the production's business under the line producer: approving costs, signing deal memos, managing vendors, and delivering the daily production report.

Production · Directors Guild of America

~$5,800–$6,600/wk2–6 yrs

Underwater Director of Photography

Underwater DPs light and shoot in tanks and open water, combining dive certifications with cinematography.

Camera · IATSE Local 600

~$1,500–$6,000+/day6–11 yrs

More credited U roles

Unit Director Unit Driver Unit Manager Unit Publicist Utility Stunts

V

VFX Supervisor

The VFX supervisor owns everything created or altered digitally, from set extensions to full creatures.

Visual Effects · Historically non-union; IATSE VFX units since 2023 (Marvel/Disney/Avatar contracts ratified 2025)

~$1,500–$4,000/day5–9 yrs

Video Assist (VTR) Operator

Video assist records and plays back every take at the monitors, syncing multiple cameras and keeping the director's playback instant.

Camera Support · IATSE Local 600 (camera), with Local 695 shared jurisdiction

~$450–$1,200/day0–2 yrs

W

Writer (Screenwriter)

Screenwriters create the material everything else exists to shoot.

Above the Line · Writers Guild of America

~$75K–$150K/yr4–8 yrs

Wardrobe Supervisor

The wardrobe supervisor runs the costume department's set operation: continuity, multiples, aging and distressing, laundry, and the truck.

Costume · IATSE Local 705 (costumers, LA) / Local 764 (NY)

~$400/day4–8 yrs

More credited W roles

Wig Designer Water Truck Driver Wardrobe And Costume Designer Wardrobe Assistant Wardrobe Consultant Wardrobe Coordinator Wardrobe Designer Wardrobe Master Wardrobe Mistress Wardrobe Stylist Water Safety Weapon Supervisor Weapons Master Wig Maker Wire Rigger