Obscure Movie Production Job Titles

Most people have little experience in the film industry, so they are confused by the job titles they see when credits are rolling at the end of a film. Our experts on grip lighting are here to offer an inside look at some of the obscure job titles found in film production and what their jobs entail.

Concept Artist

This professional provides the production designer of a film with a computer-generated 3D model demonstrating how a scene will materialize. Their job is to render choreography, camera movements, focal lengths, camera angles, and desired shots. These models can also display the appearance of costumes, lighting schemes, and surface textures.

Craft service

These professionals assist the crafts (art director, props, grips, electricians, sound, camera, etc.) during a production. Their tasks include cleaning the set and providing snacks between main meals.

Fixer

This professional provides logistic support, arranging for anything involving equipment, crews, talent, location, customs, permits, accommodations, and transportation for filmmakers recording abroad. This term is a nod to the term fixer, which describes someone who makes arrangements for others, especially when devious or illicit in nature.

Python wrangler

This is a term for a utility sound tech who performs various sound department tasks, usually pulling cables.

Child wrangler

This professional manages child actors on a production by keeping them engaged and hushed when they are not being filmed in a scene and coaching them on acting.

Best boy

This film professional is second in command to the key grip or gaffer. The term originated in the filming days before unions were present, and the line between electric and grip departments was less defined. When the head of either department needed extra help, they would approach the other department head and ask them to lend them their best boy. Eventually, this led to the second in control of both divisions being known as the best boy. This designation is the same whether the second in power is male or female.

Key Grip

This professional is the grip team supervisor.

Dolly grip

This title refers to the member of the grip department that moves dollies and camera cranes.

Grip

This is a camera crew member who assembles and maintains camera support equipment, moves it, and sets it up. The term was derived from American theater, where people used it to describe stagehands who shifted scenery.

Gaffer

This is the head of a film production’s electrical department. The term was derived from English theater, where people used it to describe men who tended streetlamps because of the hooked pole they used called a gaff.

Foley artist

This professional creates the sound effects for a film following production. This step is taken in post-production because the acoustics on the set do not always lend themselves to the best sound quality possible. A foley artist can eliminate extra noise and make sound effects more convincing. For example, they often stomp their feet to match on-screen footsteps. Their title comes from Jack Donovan Foley, who gathered employees experienced in sound effects for radio to help the film industry evolve to the use of sound.

These are just some of the obscure job titles found in the film industry. Contact us today if you need grip lighting for your next production. We have the experience and expertise to meet your production needs.