Role guide
Production & post-production roles
What each job actually does on a student production — read this before you rank your role choices on the interest form.
Production roles
Producer
Runs the business side of the production: budget, scheduling, permissions, and logistics. Keeps every department moving and makes sure the film actually gets made.
Director
Owns the creative vision for the film. Works with actors on performance, blocks scenes with the DP, and makes the final creative call on set.
First Assistant Director
Runs the set day-to-day. Builds and manages the shooting schedule, keeps the day on time, and keeps the crew moving between setups.
Director of Photography
Designs the visual look of the film — camera, lighting, and framing — working closely with the Director and the Gaffer to get it on screen.
Gaffer
Leads the lighting crew and executes the DP's lighting design, managing the electrical setup for every scene.
Grip
Supports camera and lighting: rigging stands, flags, and dolly moves, and keeping the set safe to move around in.
Production Designer
Shapes the physical world of the film — locations, sets, props, and overall visual style.
Production Sound
Records clean sound on location: mic placement, boom operating, and running the sound recorder.
Script Supervisor
Tracks continuity between takes, keeps detailed notes for the editor, and watches for anything that won't match in the cut.
DIT (Digital Imaging Technician)
Manages and backs up camera footage on set, keeping it organized and safe. Whoever does this role becomes the Editor in post-production.
Post-production roles
Later in the semester the crew moves from these production roles into post-production. Director and Producer usually carry over; whoever was DIT during production becomes the Editor.
Post-Supervisor
Oversees the whole post-production process and keeps editing, sound, and delivery on schedule.
Editor
Assembles the footage into the finished film. This is the same person who was DIT during production.
Sound Designer
Builds the final sound mix — cleaning up dialogue and adding effects and ambience.
Colorist
Adjusts color and look in the final grade so every shot matches and feels intentional.
Composer
Writes original music for the film.
Titles and Credits
Designs and builds the opening and closing titles and the credit sequence.
Marketing Director
Works with the Producer on the pitch deck and the materials for the film's FilmFreeway submission.