ABSTRACT
Whether shooting film or capturing media, the military analogy with a film production is justified. On any shoot, there is a clear-cut goal as specific as any military target, and the First assistant director is the lieutenant in charge of logistics to ensure that the goal is achieved in the most efficient manner and with minimal casualties. This chapter discusses the universal elements involved in the production. In North America, the script supervisor is part of the production department and, in the UK system, the camera department, even though they don’t carry any cases or hang around the back of the camera truck. The head of the art department is the production designer, who supervises the art director, set dresser and all auxiliary crew members. The head of the props department is the prop master, who ultimately reports to the production designer but supervises a team of his/her own.
