5. Properties, Assistant Director and Continuity Departments

Props Department

"When I first started in the film business someone asked me how easy is it to get along with people and I said it's like a big family and you just sort of have to talk things through and if there's grievances you have to air them out because we're here 12, 13 hours a day -- it's a long time to be somewhere with people you don't really know." - Gavin De West - On-Set Props

Props Master: Head of the props department. Responsible for obtaining and providing all items that a performer picks up and uses during a production.

On-Set Props: The person responsible for provision, movement and continuity of all props during shooting.

Armourer: The person responsible for providing and maintaining all firearms during a production.

Assistant Directors (AD) Department

"Assistant directors deflect a lot off of other people. A lot of the time, especially in my position, you just kind of have to take things and grin and bear it and just smile and nod and do your job." - Jenna Fraser - Trainee Assistant Director

1st Assistant Director: The person in charge of creating the schedule, running the set and keeping a certain pace during shooting. As the director's right hand, the 1st AD operates as the conduit between the crew and the director.

2nd Assistant Director: The person responsible for organizing work for the next day by way of the call sheet, doing departmental paperwork and production reports. S/he may also set background extras.

3rd Assistant Director: The person who oversees the performers' on-set, accompanying them to the set when ready.

Trainee Assistant Director: The entry level position in the A.D. department.

Continuity Department

"I think one of the most important things about being a script supervisor is being a people person. You have to be nice to other people, and have fun with other people, but you also have to be serious and smart enough so that you can get your information correctly." - Claudia Margado - Script Supervisor

Script Supervisor: The person in charge of making sure that continuity is adhered to throughout the filmmaking process. Script supervisors ensure that between takes and shoots, the background, props and actors, their clothes, makeup, hair and more are in the same state that they were in previous shots for a logical progression in the finished film.