There are a lot of craftspeople on a film set, and in this all new 23-part series, leading Hollywood crews from blockbuster TV shows and movies give students an in-depth look at each major below-the-line crew position.
3 Lessons
The Producers
In this three lessons series, students learn how the business managers of a film production work. From the line producer and unit production manager to the production coordinator, students get a detailed, inside look at the duties and responsibilities of the producers.
While these lessons focus on each role, supplement this curriculum with lessons that focus on the skill sets required for the producers, including:
- Forming a Production Company
- Hiring the Crew
- Raising Money from Investors
- Tax Incentives
- Money Management
- Unions and Guilds
- Working with SAG/AFTRA
- Working with Vendors
4 Lessons
The Assistant Director Department
In this four lesson series, the Assistant Director team behind Titanic, Avatar, Stranger Things, and dozens of other Hollywood blockbusters teach students the day-to-day duties and responsibilities of the Assistant Director department, how to effectively manage the set, balancing the relationship between the director and producers, and how to get a job as an AD on a professional set.
While these lessons focus on each role, supplement this curriculum with lessons that focus on the skill sets required of the assistant directors, including:
- Breaking Down the Script
- Scheduling the Production
- Scheduling the Shooting Day
1 Lesson
The Script Supervisor
Working Hollywood script supervisors teach students the day-to-day duties and responsibilities of the script supervisor, how to interface with the director, the expectations of bridging the set to the editing room, how to effectively prep a production, and the expected deliverables when the production wraps.
To learn more about how the script supervisor manages continuity and the script notes, add the lesson, “Continuity and Script Notes.”
3 Lessons
The Camera Department
In this three lesson series, students learn the roles and responsibilities of the camera department, from the moment to get the call for the job to the time they wrap. Working Hollywood camera crews reveal best practices, expectations, and responsibilities of a professional camera crew.
While these lessons focus on each role, supplement this curriculum with lessons that focus on the skill sets required for the camera department, including:
- Introduction to Lenses
- How to Prep the Camera
- Building the Camera Package
- How to Test a Lens
- Focusing Techniques
- Lens Focal Length
- f-Stops and T-Stops
- The Camera Shutter
- Frame Rates
- How to Expose a Shot
- Depth of Field
- Neutral Density Filters
- Polarizers
3 Lessons
The Electric Department
In this three lesson series, professional Hollywood gaffers, best boy electrics, and electricians reveal the day-to-day duties and responsibilities of the electric department, how they interface with other departments on set, and how to make a living in the electric department.
While these lessons focus on each role, supplement this curriculum with lessons that focus on the skill sets required for the electric department, including:
- Electrical Safety I
- Electrical Safety II
- Reducing Light
- Tungsten Lighting
- HMI Lighting
- LED Lighting
- Kino-Flo Fluorescent Lighting
4 Lessons
The Grip Department
In this four lesson series, students learn the job responsibilities of the group department and a professional production. Experienced, professional Hollywood grips methodically reveal the expectations of the grip department, how they interact with the electric department, the working hours and wages, and on-set practices to have a successful career in the grip department.
While these lessons focus on each role, supplement this curriculum with lessons that focus on the skill sets required for the producers, including:
- Grip and Rigging Safety
- Stands
- Clamps
- Rigging
- Grip Tools
- Grip Techniques
- Reducing Light
- Shaping Light
- Reflecting Light
5 Lessons
The Art Department
In this five lesson series, professional Hollywood production designers, art directors, set decorators, and property masters teach students the hierarchy of the art department, how to achieve the desired look within the schedule and budgetary limitations, and how to effectively interact with the rest of the crew.
While these lessons focus on each role, supplement this curriculum with lessons that focus on the skill sets required for the producers, including:
- Creating the Look
- Set Design
- Set Construction
- Set Dressing
- Props
- Tour a Prop House
