Other Technical and Coordinating Workers in Motion Pictures, Broadcasting, and Performing Arts

Nature of work

This group of jobs includes a range of technical, coordinating, and supervisory workers who coordinate and perform specific activities for television, radio and motion picture productions, news broadcasts, theatre, and stage productions, and other live or recorded productions. These are the people who work behind the scenes to design and build sets, make sure that cameras are in the right place, that performers get their cues and are dressed and made up to play their roles, and that props are there and in the right places. They work for television and radio stations and networks, recording studios, motion picture and video production companies, concert promoters and theatre, stage, and dance companies.

Job duties

Floor managers:

• Coordinate the work of camera operators and other technical staff, and cue announcers, actors and performers during news broadcasts and television program tapings.

Key grips:

• Supervise grips, gaffers and stagehands who rig, place, move and dismantle lights, sets, backdrops, scenery, and other stage equipment.

Gaffers and lighting technicians:

• Set up, use, and repair lights and other electrical equipment in studios and on sets and stages.

Stunt coordinators and special effects technicians:

• Design and coordinate special effects like fires, explosions, and crashes.

Make-up artists:

• Apply cosmetic and special effects make-up on actors and other performers.

Costumiers:

• Study scripts to determine the necessary costumes and oversee the purchase, fitting, and maintenance of costumes.

Settings shop foremen:

• Help prepare the construction specifications for sets.

Property masters:

• Identify and list the necessary props and place them during rehearsals and performances.

Sample job titles

• costume maker
• gaffer
• key grip
• lighting technician
• make-up artist
• production coordinator
• set electrician
• special effects technician
• stage manager
• stunt coordinator

Skills

• You need creativity, imagination, and technical skills. Attention to detail and the ability to improvise with equipment and techniques are also important. You must be able to communicate your ideas clearly and work well with others.

Job requirements

• For most jobs in this group, completion of college or university or other specialized training program in broadcasting, theatre arts or a related field and several years of experience in a related support or assisting job in motion pictures, broadcasting or the performing arts are required.
• Membership in a related union may be required.

Other considerations

• Work in this group is cyclical and follows production schedules; many people in these jobs have a second source of income to support them through slow periods. Self-employment is relatively common in this group. Many workers in this field require a portfolio of work to demonstrate their abilities.

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