The craft of filmmaking depends essentially on teamwork and the close coordination of variously skilled individuals. The size of film units can range from 200 people or more, on big features to smaller than a five-member crew on documentaries or corporate presentations.

Nature of Work

Work involves many and diverse activities that begin with raising capital for the film and include its distribution and screening as well as all the stages of its crafting. On large productions, each activity is handled by a separate department. In smaller units each individual undertakes a specific function. 

As a certain degree of expertise is essential for most jobs, there is little, if any, overlapping of duties. Due to the enormous costs involved in shooting a film, and the interdependence of departments on one another, timing is a vital aspect of all film work. A small delay by even a junior member of the unit can result in heavy losses for the production company. 

All members, at every level, are therefore required to be absolutely punctual and remain alert and in position at all times.

Major Departments in a Film Company

The main operational departments in the making of a feature film are:

PRODUCTION 

Covering all the management aspects of the film. This includes raising finances; dealing with all contracts, negotiations, payments and litigation; acquisition of intellectual properties, allocating and controlling departmental budgets; hiring and organizing the cast and crew; communications and coordination within the unit; interaction with external agencies like the press, police and Y other government departments, some location scouting; set and location management; ensuring that shooting and other schedules are met; obtaining permissions for shooting and screening; handling day-to-day problems as they arise, marketing the film and liaising with distributors, television networks, exporters and importers; as well as areas like health, insurance, safety and security of the cast and crew; arranging travel, transport, accommodation, food and other facilities when on location; and in general, keeping up the unit's morale. 

DIRECTION

Is responsible for all creative decision-making including script, cast, location and camera; coordinating all the elements of the film; its visualization; audition selection of the leading cast; drawing up call sheets and shooting schedules; rehearsing and directing actors; ensuring that the actors arrive on time, in the right make-up, hair style and dress, and that lights, camera and sound are in place; and keeping silence and order on the set during shooting. 

SCRIPTING

Is concerned with film research; development of scripts; writing up screenplays; their adaptation during filming; and continuity.

CASTING

Identifies, locates and hires actors and extras, according to the script/director's specifications; arranges auditions and screen tests; negotiates fees in coordination with the production department; keeps the cast, and particularly the extras, informed as to their shooting schedules and then puts them in touch with other concerned departments like make up, wardrobe, direction, etc.

CAMERA

Is responsible for procurement, maintenance and hire of all camera equipment and raw film stock; visualization and composition of each scene, in consultation with the director; decisions on camera angles and lighting for each shot; keeping track of `takes'; marking film cans; and maintaining a daily shooting log for reference during editing.

LIGHTING

Can be a part of camera, or a separate department altogether-main tasks include procurement, maintenance and setting up of all lighting equipment used during shooting.

SOUND

Makes available and takes care of all sound recording equipment used during filming; is in general charge of the film's soundtrack, which includes recording, dubbing and mixing of dialogues, music and sound effects; and laying the soundtrack on the finished film.

ART DIRECTION

Provides the overall `look' of the film; designs and creates the ambience for each scene; supervises, as part of its own department, or as separate departments, the work of: 

Properties

Which include the procurement and/or fabrication of objects to be used on the set or by actors, during a scene.

Construction

Responsible for building the required sets.

MUSIC

Works out lyrics; composes and arranges the film's musical score; arranges the orchestra; conducts the orchestra and vocalist during recording.

DANCE

Includes choreography and direction of dance sequence; audition and selection of dancers; and coaching and rehearsal of performers.

SPECIAL EFFECTS

Devises and executes all visual `effects'. These could be environmental, like snowstorms or rain; 
mechanical-moving monsters or vehicles that come apart as they are driven; or dramatic effects, such as gunshots, accidents or explosions. Special effects are created either physically, on set, or at the editing stage, through specially programmed computers.

STUNTS

Arranges, directs and carries out all action sequences in the film-like falls, leaps, chases, crashes, etc.

WARDROBE

Researches, designs, fabricates/procures and maintains all costumes and accessories used by actors and extras; arranges fittings and trials; keeps costumes in order and according to scenes being shot; helps actors dress; keeps record of costume continuity.

MAKE UP AND HAIR STYLING

Is responsible for the physical appearance of the actors. Work includes research, design and application of make up that will look natural on film and is appropriate to the character and scene; and research, design and styling of hair as appropriate to the character and scene.

EDITING

Splices processed film together in correct sequential order; removes excess and unnecessary shots; synchronizes its soundtrack; adds titles, credits and some special effects and controls the running time of the film. Like other commercial organizations production companies also have accounts and other departments to take care of these aspects of their operations. 

Location work usually requires the setting up of additional departments like transport, catering and other facilities, to help the filming go smoothly. Videos, like documentaries, require fewer and less complex inputs, and so have a much simpler organizational structure.

Specialist Areas

Almost all areas in film making require specialization in the craft to some extent.