Crew Sizes in Filmmaking with HD
by Michael Scott
As part of my research area, I’m looking at the difference, in Industrial/Labor Issues, between film and high definition video (HD). Looking through some film’s crew lists, on imdb.com, we can see where jobs have been lost, and created.
Some examples include;
Star Wars: Episode III- Revenge of the Sith (2005)
- A bucket load of visual effects artists (over 120)
- A clapper loader still exists?
- Camera attachment, Camera Operators (x3), Camera Assistants (x4)
- No Focus Puller
Wolf Creek (2005)
-I find it a bit hard to believe, but imdb lists this film as having no camera operator, clapper loader, focus puller, or camera assistant. Apparently Will Gibson was a one-man band. Almost impossible to do on film.
- 4 Visual Effects Crew
How High (2001)
- This film lists a DP and a Camera Op.
- New jobs created, Vis Effects and Video Split Operators (x2)
Russian Ark (2002)
-Two Supervising DPs, a Steadicam Op, and a Focus Puller. No need for a cam asst, or a clapper loader
-Lots of continuity and digital effects supervisors
This is just a short list of HD films and it is focused on camera and visual effects departments. It is by no means exhaustive, but the research indicates that HD shoots can be done with less people on set.