FILM ENSEMBLE CREW ROLES & SET EXPECTATIONS
Your position is yours to own.
As part of the Ensemble, members take ownership of a production crew position and develop the fundamental skills required to perform that role on set.
Every crew member arrives knowing their position, their equipment, and what is expected of them. The goal is a small, disciplined crew where each person owns a specific area rather than waiting for the director to assign or troubleshoot tasks on set.
Over time, members become more capable both in front of and behind the camera, building a working understanding of how a professional set operates.
GENERAL CREW EXPECTATIONS
Own Your Position: Each crew member is responsible for knowing and understanding everything associated with their assigned role, including the gear used in that position.
Prepare Before the Shoot: Preparation happens before the shooting day. This may include research, practicing with equipment, learning terminology and procedures, arranging props, or making a reasonable investment in a small personal kit when appropriate.
Gear Responsibility: If equipment associated with your position is not working, troubleshooting it is your responsibility. If more preparation is needed to operate the gear competently, that time must be put in outside class and outside the shooting day.
Access to Gear: If you do not have access to the equipment needed to prepare for your position, contact Dustin in advance and arrange a time to access it.
Full-Day Commitment: Everyone is expected to arrive at the designated crew call time and stay through the end of the shooting day.
Wrap: Everyone assists with complete breakdown, organization, and pack-up. No crew member leaves while others are still packing unless specifically released by Dustin.
No Phones on Set: Personal phone use on set is not permitted. Phone use on set may result in termination of the crew position and the individual being asked to leave the set. Phones may be used only when required for production or during a designated break.
CREW POSITIONS
RESIDENT WRITER - Philip
Review every scene submitted for arc and timing and use for demo reel purposes.
PLAY CLUB COORDINATOR - Benjamin
Organizes and supports The Ensemble’s monthly Play Club. Keeps track of the reading schedule, communicates upcoming plays and meeting details in Discord, and helps keep members engaged and on schedule. Assists with selecting and organizing future plays and maintaining the year-long reading list.
CLUBHOUSE COORDINATOR - Lorraine
The Clubhouse Coordinator helps build community beyond the classroom by organizing monthly class and ensemble events. Responsibilities include researching and proposing activities, coordinating event details, and posting clear announcements in Discord with dates, times, locations, costs, and other relevant information.
The Clubhouse Coordinator is also responsible for tracking interest and RSVPs, communicating updates or changes, and helping ensure each event is organized and ready to go.
LINE PRODUCER / PRODUCTION COORDINATOR - Amber
Organizes the crew before each shoot. Provides Dustin with a clear breakdown of who is attending and the position assigned to each person. Confirms assignments and production information in advance so nobody arrives without a defined responsibility.
1ST ASSISTANT CAMERA (1ST AC) - Mikayla
Responsible for all things camera related: camera build, lenses, lens motors, power, mounting, media, monitoring, and accessories. If a lens motor or other camera component does not work, the 1st AC is responsible for diagnosing and resolving the issue rather than handing it to the director.
2ND ASSISTANT CAMERA (2ND AC) - Richard
Supports the 1st AC with camera builds, lenses, media, power, monitoring, and accessories. Helps prepare, organize, and maintain camera equipment and is ready to step in wherever needed within the camera department.
SPECIALTY CAMERA OPERATOR - Chris
Responsible for advanced camera movement and specialty setups, including gimbals, Ready Rig, sliders, jibs, and car mounts. Assists with setup, balancing, safe operation, and breakdown of specialty camera equipment.
GRIP / LIGHTING UTILITY - Brian and Spencer
Knows how to safely set up, manipulate, secure, break down, and store C-stands and support equipment. Learns the names of all lights used by the Atelier, how to set them up and operate them, and how to put them away properly. Assists with lighting and grip changes.
SOUND - Carson and Peyton
Responsible for the sound department and all associated equipment. Prepares and organizes the gear, confirms everything necessary is present, handles microphones, monitors sound during production, and troubleshoots audio problems.
SLATE / SHOT LOG - Daniel and Faith
Operates the slate and tracks every setup and take. Records shot number/type—Master, Medium, Close-Up, etc.—and take numbers. At the end of each shooting day, submits a final organized tally of shots and corresponding take numbers to Dustin.
WARDROBE - Ava and Jade
Reads the entire script and determines wardrobe options based on character, story, and continuity. Coordinates with talent to present Dustin with at least three outfit options per scene for approval 72 hours before production. Ensures selected wardrobe arrives on individual hangers, ready for filming, and maintains continuity throughout the shoot.
HAIR & MAKEUP
Provides basic on-set hair and makeup assistance. Consults with performers beforehand as needed and remains on standby near camera during production. Watches for shine, hair placement, makeup continuity, and other visible issues and handles touch-ups between takes. Final Decisions for makeup and hair options need to be approved by Dustin 72 hours before production day.
ART/LOCATION SCOUT - Jade and Paige
Responsible for scouting and evaluating locations with an eye toward both story and production needs. Assists with basic art direction, set dressing, props, and preparing locations for camera. Learns to identify visual opportunities and practical limitations before production begins.
DRIVER / SERGEANT AT ARMS - Billie
Requires relevant professional experience with driving and firearms. Responsible for specialty driving and the safe custody, control, and handling of weapons used during action sequences. Ensures established on-set safety procedures are followed whenever weapons are present.
CRAFT SERVICES - Sal
Responsible for basic snacks, water, and production-day amenities and for keeping the craft-services area organized. Any purchasing plan or budget must be approved by Dustin in advance.
PRODUCTION ASSISTANT / UTILITY - Lauren
Flexible support for anything not assigned to a specific department. Helps move equipment, handles runs, keeps common areas organized, assists departments as requested, and actively looks for what needs to be done rather than waiting for every task to be assigned.
“Your position is yours to own. Know the job, know the equipment, prepare before arriving, and solve problems within your department. The purpose is to develop a crew that can operate professionally, efficiently, and independently.”