Video+Production-Who+Is+In+Charge+Of+What?

**Who Does What and Why**
**T**his list is long, but have you noticed the lengthy credit lists for major films and TV programs? The person in charge of launching entire production is generally the producer. He or she comes up with the program concept, lays out the budget for the production, and makes the major decisions. This person is the team leader, the one who works with the writers, hires the director, decides on the key talent, and guides the general direction of the production. Some productions may also have an associate producer who sets up schedules for the talent and crew and who generally assists the producer. On a major production, one of the producer's first jobs is to hire a writer to write the script (the document that tells everyone what to do and say). The script is like a written plan or blueprint for the production. **T**he producer will next consider the key talent for the production. In general, the talent includes actors, reporters, hosts, guests, and off-camera narrators -- anyone whose voice is heard or who appears on camera.
 * I**n smaller productions, the producer may also take charge of the more mundane activities. And in small productions, the //director// may handle the producer's responsibilities. In this case, the combined job title becomes (want to guess?), ▲producer-director.

Sometimes //talent// is broken down into three sub-categories: actors (who portray other people in dramatic productions), performers (who appear on camera in nondramatic roles), and announcers (who generally don't appear on camera). In a large production, the producer will hire the director. The director is in charge of working out //preproduction// (before the production) details, coordinating the activities of the production staff and on-camera talent, working out camera and talent positions on the set, selecting the camera shots during production, and supervising //postproduction// (after production) work. In other words, once the producer sets things in motion, the director is in charge of taking the script from the beginning to the very end of the production process. **A**ssisting a director in the control room is typically a technical director who operates the //video switcher//. (A rather elaborate version is shown on the right.) The technical director, or TD, is also responsible for coordinating the technical aspects of the production. The lighting director ( LD ) designs the lighting plan, arranges for the lighting equipment, and sets up and checks the lighting. As we'll see, lighting is a key element in the overall look of a production. Makeup is just one of the areas where a link will take you to advanced information. (We'll discuss the meaning of the colored squares below).
 * O**ne or more production assistants ( PAs ) may be hired to help the producer and director. Among other things, PAs keep notes on ongoing production needs and changes.
 * S**ome productions have a set designer who, along with the producer and director, designs the set and supervises its construction, painting, and installation.
 * T**he makeup person, with the help of cosmetics, hair spray, etc., sees that the talent look their best -- or their worst, if that's what the script calls for. [[image:http://www.cybercollege.com/pix/make-up.jpg width="200" height="122" align="right" caption="make-up artist"]]

It should be emphasized that specific responsibilities of production personnel will vary widely, depending on the production facility. In Europe, and in particular at the BBC (British Broadcasting System) in London, these distinctions are made.