Roles in art

A movie or TV show relies on the talents of many different people. Onset, they are organized into departments. Each department has many different roles.

Check out the department team and see where you might fit in.

Art Director

Coordinates visual elements of production, oversees budget, and acts as Production Designer's representative on set and in various departments.

Supervising Art Director (Head of Department)

Prepares and executes all of the visual elements of the production. They are responsible for the administration of the budget of the art department.

Production Designer

A Production Designer is responsible for the generation of set design sketches and renderings; location selections and treatments; and design concepts relating to set decoration, properties, special effects, lighting, costuming, make-up and hair. The Production Designer collaborates with the Producer, Director and the Director of Photography to realize these elements on film. The Production Designer may work with the Director and the Director of Photography in the determination of key shots and applicable visual/digital effects. In conjunction with the Producer and the Director, a Production Designer establishes Production Budgets and schedules. Working through the Art Director and the applicable department heads, a Production Designer achieves the style of a Motion Picture Production.


Set Designer / Draftsperson

Prepares working drawings, scale models and other drawings of a technical nature and surveys or assist in sureying location sites.

Graphics Artist

Perform duties assgined by art director such as artwork, drawings, renderings, illustration and/or sketches required for construction, props,and wardrobe.

Illustrator

Perform duties assigned by art director such as artwork, drawings, renderings, illustration and/or sketches required for construction, props, and wardrobe.

2nd Assistant Art Director

Peforms duties assigned by the art director or 1st assistant. May be assigned duties which include drafting, drawing, floor plans and assembling visual research materials.

Art Department Coordinator

Assists the art director in the efficient operation of the department. Duties include departmental communications, research, budge tracking, materials sourcing, and departmental scheduling.

1st Assistant Art Director

Perform duties delegated by the art director. Is in charge of the 'drawing" functions of the art department and is familiar with art department budgeting and workflow.

Storyboard Artist

Translate the script and the director's vision into pictures. Produce a series of panels of images to plan the shots and ensure continuity between them.

3rd Assistant Art Director

The Third Assistant Art Director is engaged by the Producer in consultation with the head of the Art Department as a general assistant to the Art Department to perform duties delegated by the head of the Art Department or by the First Assistant Art Director/Set Designer/Graphic Designer or by the Second Assistant Art Director.


Trainee Assistant Art Director

The Trainee Assistant Art Director is engaged by the Producer in consultation with the head of the Art Department as a general assistant to the Art Department while being provided with training. The Trainee Assistant Art Director assists in completing tasks without carrying the responsibility for a finished product. For greater clarity, the Trainee Assistant Art Director may be required to drive a Production vehicle for pick-ups and deliveries for the Art Department, assist in the distribution of drawings, assist with general research and assist more senior members of the Art Department in performing minor graphics or minor drafting duties while receiving supervised training.

Art Department Trainee

Duties include administrative jobs, and any additional duties assigned by the art director.

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