17 Jul Film Art Department Crew Roles And Duties Cape Town

Design & Creative Leadership

Production Designer:
The head of the Art Department. Creates the visual concept of the production and works closely with the director and cinematographer.

Supervising Art Director:
Manages multiple art directors and ensures the visual consistency of all sets and locations.

Art Director:
Executes the production designer’s vision, supervises the design and building of sets, and oversees teams.

Assistant Art Director:
Supports the Art Director with drafting, layout, research, and supervising parts of the design.

Concept Artist / Illustrator:
Creates detailed visual artwork to help communicate the look and feel of sets and environments before construction.

Set Designer / Draughtsperson:
Drafts technical drawings and construction blueprints from the designer’s ideas.

Construction & Building Crew

Construction Manager / Foreman:
Supervises all set construction, scheduling, safety, and crew management.

Set Builders / Carpenters:
Build the wooden structures and frameworks of sets, walls, platforms, doors, and practical pieces.

Joiners / Cabinet Makers:
Craft more detailed woodwork like cabinetry, panels, and finishing pieces.

Plasterers:
Apply surface textures, smooth finishes, or moldings using plaster or other materials.

Welders / Metal Fabricators:
Create steel frames, armatures, and structural metalwork.

Riggers:
Handle suspension, lifting, or mounting of large set elements or backdrops.

Sculptors:
Carve or model 3D decorative or architectural features (often out of foam, clay, or fibreglass).

Mould Makers / Casters:
Create molds for replicating decorative or practical elements repeatedly.

Scenic & Surface Finishing

Scenic Artists / Painters:
Paint sets with textures like brick, marble, rust, aging, etc., including murals and backdrops.

Breakdown Artists / Aging Specialists:
Specialise in distressing or aging sets, furniture, props, and costumes to look lived-in, old, or worn.

Sign Writers:
Paint or produce signage, logos, murals, or lettering for in-world environments.

Set Decoration Department

Set Decorator:
Designs and sources all decorative elements on a set, such as furniture, drapes, rugs, art, kitchenware, etc.

Assistant Set Decorator:
Assists in sourcing, organizing, or managing decorative elements.

Leadman:
In charge of the set dressing crew and logistics. Coordinates moves, deliveries, and installations.

Set Dressers:
Physically place, arrange, and maintain set decor elements on set before and during shooting.

Swing Gang:
A flexible team of dressers called in to strike, change, or install dressing between sets or locations.

Greensman / Greens Department:
Responsible for all plants, trees, grass, or natural elements on set — real or artificial.

Art Buyer / Shopper:
Buys small items for set dressing or props, often with a petty cash float.

Props Department (often its own department but under Art)

Props Master / Property Master:
In charge of all props (objects handled or used by actors). Sources, organizes, maintains continuity.

Assistant Props Master:
Helps manage and prep props for scenes.

Props Maker / Fabricator:
Crafts custom or practical props (e.g., fake weapons, breakaway items, high-tech gadgets).

Props Dresser / Standby Props:
Responsible for placing and resetting props on set during shooting.

Weapons Master / Armourer:
Manages and ensures safety of firearms, weapons, and stunt props.

Graphics & Visual Design

Graphic Designer:
Designs on-screen graphics, fake product labels, signage, documents, maps, UI screens, etc.

Print Manager / Fabrication:
Manages printing, vinyls, decals, and 3D printing of graphics for in-world use.

On-Set & Continuity Roles

Standby Art Director:
Present on set during filming to maintain visual continuity and implement small changes or fixes.

On-Set Dresser:
Adjusts dressing elements between takes and ensures correct placement for continuity.

Standby Props:
Ensures actors have the correct props, monitors prop continuity, and resets as needed.

Support, Coordination & Administration

Art Department Coordinator:
Handles logistics, scheduling, budgeting, documentation, and internal communications.

Art Department Assistant / Runner:
Entry-level role; assists with research, errands, paperwork, and general help across departments.

Clearance Coordinator:
Ensures that all logos, signage, art, and branded items used on set are legally cleared for use.

Art Department Buyer:
Sources and purchases decor, building materials, or props under the direction of the decorator or designer.

Art PA (Production Assistant):
Provides general support to the art department team on and off set.

Neil Swanepoel is based in Cape Town, South Africa. A Freelance Art Director and Production Designer with over 30 years of experience in commercials, music videos, and feature films.