The Microcrewery: An Indie Guide to Designating Efficient Crew Positions

Your A-, B- and C-Teams

While the specific needs of each production will vary based upon what’s being filmed, here are some general ideas of how best to allocate the hands you have on deck.

Crew Size: Two

The absolute must-haves on any movie are picture and sound, so if you only have two people at your disposal, give one the camera and other the boom mic. (Some productions have gone even further and split this in half, strapping lavalier microphones to the actors and making do with only a single crewmember, a cameraman.) This completely stripped-down production method is best used for films shot guerrilla-style in live locations, like Isaak James’ By Way of Home or Alex Karpovsky’s Red Flag. To see this in action, I recommend watching the documentary Popatopolis, which follows exploitation moviemaker Jim Wynorski’s hilarious attempt to shoot a feature with a two-man crew in three days.

Crew Size: Five

After picture and sound are accounted for, you may want to dedicate someone to handling your art department needs, such as props and set dressing. Lighting can get complicated quickly if you’re shooting nights, so it’s wise to bring on a gaffer. And as your production grows, so do logistical complications, necessitating the involvement of a production manager.

Crew Size: 10

With the addition of five more people, you can now afford such luxuries as an assistant director, dedicated wardrobe and make-up artists, and someone to swing between the camera and lighting departments. But the smartest move is to add a production assistant: While they may be considered an “entry level” member of the crew, their ability to take on multiple responsibilities is absolutely essential to the smooth operation of your set.

Crew Size: 15

With this number, you’ve reached the tipping point between a “microbudget” and “traditional” crew. You can now have a script supervisor, a dedicated craft service person, a driver, and even more technical people. You might still be able to avoid the world of expensive shooting permits and large production vehicles, but only barely. Having a big crew is a luxury, and, like most luxuries, it can come with a hefty price tag. But before you break your budget, remember: You can always scale back.

Once you’ve figured out your microbudget crew structure and hired people to fill those positions, remember this one final step: Treat these folks like gold. A small crew, even one made up of relatively inexperienced people, can function incredibly well if everyone cares enough to do his or her part. Respect all members of your team and show them how much you appreciate their efforts. You’ll be surprised how much a tiny, dedicated crew can accomplish. MM

This article appears in MovieMaker‘s Complete Guide to Making Movies 2015 special issue. Paul Osborne is the writer and director of the award-winning thriller Favor, now available on VOD and DVD. He previously directed Official Rejection, the acclaimed documentary about film festivals, and wrote the indie feature Ten Til Noon. He is horribly addicted to doughnuts. Follow him at @paulmakesmovies.

Favor images courtesy of Paul Osborne/Conspicuous Pictures. Illustration by Juan Darién, courtesy of Shutterstock.

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