Production Crew | Catalyst Story Institute

CREW

Job Details

Over 70% of a film/TV production's budget goes to the crew and supporting services. This is easily the largest, and most economically impactful part, of the filmmaking process. There are over 25+ different job categories with a total of more than 180+ specific types of crew jobs. Each job requires specialized training.

The different categories of crew jobs are:

Art Department
Camera Operations
Casting
Catering
Construction
Costume
Craft Services
Directing crew
Greenery
Grip/Electric
Hair and Makeup (HMU)
Lighting
Locations
Medic
Music
Paint
Post-Production
Producing crew
Props
Publicity
Set Decoration
SFX
Sound
Sound Editor
Transportation

Catalyst offers two types of crew trainings:

1) CREW

These jobs require no previous educational or job experience of any kind. Anyone age 17+ can begin learning these jobs today simply by showing up to the classes.

2) TRADES CREW

These jobs require a basic level of previous experience in the specific craft. For example, to work in makeup on a film set requires some previous cosmetology training. Catalyst will teach you the unique skills required to be a makeup artist on a film set but we will not teach the basics of cosmetology.

view crew jobs chart

view trades crew jobs chart

Course Levels

Crew courses are offered for explore, advanced, and professional levels only. There are no kids or youth classes for crew. This is an ongoing format class, which means it has no set beginning or end. You can continue to take classes until you and your teachers decide it is time for you to move up to the next level.

LEVEL: EXPLORE

Ages 17+
The explore level is open to all beginners and those who are curious to explore what crew is about

LEVEL: ADVANCED

Ages 17+
The advanced level is open to those who are interested in pursuing crew as a career

LEVEL: PROFESSIONAL

Ages 17+
The professional level is open to those with previous working experience. An entrance interview is required.

Previous Experience Required

Jobs listed under the "crew" category below require no previous experience or education. Jobs listed under the "trades crew" category below require some basic level of previous education/experience.

Ages

Ages 17+

Prerequisites

Many crew and trades crew courses require prerequisites but some do not. Please choose your desired crew job below to view specific details.

Cost

€25/class for explore, advanced, and professional

Location

Classes are held in-person at our Kinostudio campus in Tirana, Albania

Class Schedule

TBD

Class Size

Up to 10 students per class for explore and advanced
Up to 5 students per class for professional

Language

All classes are taught in English

Video Recording

Classes are not recorded for later use

Scholarships

Scholarships are available on a limited basis to those who can demonstrate a financial need. To request a scholarship review meeting, please fill out the scholarship request form here.

CREW JOBS CHART

IMPORTANT:

Crew jobs require no previous life experience or training. Everyone age 17 or older can learn crew jobs. Some jobs do require you to take prerequisite classes in the Catalyst program.

Job Title	Category	Class Prerequisite
1st Asst Director	Directing	Script Supervisor
Script Supervisor	Directing	Script Asst
Script Asst	Directing	2nd Asst Director
2nd Asst Director	Directing	2nd Unit Director
2nd Unit Director	Directing	2nd 2nd Asst Director
2nd 2nd Asst Director	Directing	Production Assistant (set)
Production Assistant (set)	Directing	-

Casting Director	Casting	Casting Background
Casting Background	Casting	Casting Asst
Casting Asst	Casting	-

Associate Producer	Producing	Line Producer
Line Producer	Producing	Production Manager
Production Manager	Producing	Unit Production Manager
Unit Production Manager	Producing	Asst Production Manager
Asst Production Manager	Producing	Production Coordinator
Production Coordinator	Producing	Asst Coordinator
Asst Coordinator	Producing
Producer's Asst	Producing	-
Production Assistant (office)	Producing	-

Location Manager	Locations	Asst Location Manager
Asst Location Manager	Locations	Location Scout
Location Scout	Locations	Location Asst
Location Security	Locations	-
Location Asst	Locations	-

Leadman	Set Decoration	On-Set Dresser
On-Set Dresser	Set Decoration	Set Decor Crew
Set Decor Crew	Set Decoration	Swing
Swing	Set Decoration	-

Prop Crew	Props	-

Performer's Dresser	Costume	Set Truck Costumer
Set Truck Costumer	Costume	Extras Coordinator
Extras Coordinator	Costume	-

Transpo Coordinator	Transportation	Transpo Captain
Transpo Captain	Transportation	Picture Car Coordinator
Picture Car Coordinator	Transportation	Tranpso Trainee
Transpo Trainee	Transportation	-

Head Greensperson	Greenery	Best Boy Greenery
Best Boy Greenery	Greenery	Greensperson
Greensperson	Greenery	Greenshelper
Greenshelper	Greenery	-

Construction Asst	Construction	-

Paint Coordinator	Paint	Paint Foreman
Paint Foreman	Paint	Lead Painter
Lead Painter	Paint	Key Scenic Painter
Key Scenic Painter	Paint	Scenic Artist
Scenic Artist	Paint	Painter
Painter	Paint	Sign Painter
Sign Painter	Paint	On-Set Painter
On-Set Painter	Paint	-
Wallpaper Hanger	Paint	-
Plasterer	Paint	-

Camera Operator	Camera	1st Camera Asst
1st Camera Asst	Camera	2nd Camera Asst
2nd Camera Asst	Camera	Clapper Loader
Clapper Loader	Camera	Film Loader
Film Loader	Camera	Video Playback Asst
Video Playback Asst	Camera	Camera Trainee
Camera Trainee	Camera	-

Key Grip	Grip	Best Boy Grip
Best Boy Grip	Grip	Dolly Grip
Dolly Grip	Grip	Rigging Grip
Rigging Grip	Grip	Grip
Grip	Grip	Grip Swing
Grip Swing	Grip	-

Boom Operator	Sound	2nd Boom Operator
2nd Boom Operator	Sound	Playback Operator
Playback Operator	Sound	Sound Asst
Sound Asst	Sound	Cable Puller
Cable Puller	Sound	-

Key Craft Services	Crafty	Craft Services Asst
Craft Services Asst	Crafty	-

Catering Asst	Catering	-

Production Publiciist	Publicity	Publicity Asst
Publicity Asst	Publicity	Publicity Trainee
Publicity Trainee	Publicity	-
EPK Producer	Publicity	EPK Cameraperson
EPK Cameraperson	Publicity	EPK Audio Operator
EPK Audio Operator	Publicity	-

Scoring Stage Manager	Music	Music Coordinator
Music Coordinator	Music	Sequence Programmer
Sequence Programmer	Music	Recording Engineer
Recording Engineer	Music	-

Foley Artist	Sound Editor	Re-recording Mixer
Re-recording Mixer	Sound Editor	Asst SFX Editor
Asst SFX Editor	Sound Editor	Asst ADR Editor
Asst ADR Editor	Sound Editor	-

Post-Production Supervisor	Post-Production	Post-Production Coordinator
Post-Production Coordinator	Post-Production	Post-Production Asst
Post-Production Asst	Post-Production	-

TRADES CREW JOBS CHART

IMPORTANT:

Trades Crew jobs require a basic level of previous experience or training in the field of study. Catalyst only teaches how to translate your existing skills on to a film production set. We do not teach the basics of the skill or craft. For example, in order to take our hair and makeup class, you must already have basic cosmetology experience.

Job Title	Category	Life Experience	Class Prerequisite
Set Decorator	Set Decoration	architecture, interior design or similar	Asst Set Decorator
Asst Set Decorator	Set Decoration	architecture, interior design or similar	Set Buyer
Set Buyer	Set Decoration	architecture, interior design or similar	-

Prop Master	Props	construction, crafting, art history, or similar	Asst Prop Master
Asst Prop Master	Props	construction, crafting, art history, or similar	Prop Buyer, Prop Builder
Prop Buyer	Props	construction, crafting, art history, or similar	-
Prop Builder	Props	construction, crafting, art history, or similar	-
Armourer	Props	firearms	-

Key Makeup Artist	Hair & Makeup (HMU)	cosmetology	1st Asst Makeup
1st Asst Makeup	Hair & Makeup (HMU)	cosmetology	2nd Asst Makeup
2nd Asst Makeup	Hair & Makeup (HMU)	cosmetology	Makeup Trainee
Special FX Makeup	Hair & Makeup (HMU)	cosmetology	Makeup Trainee, Hair Trainee
Makeup Trainee	Hair & Makeup (HMU)	cosmetology	-

Key Hairstylist	Hair & Makeup (HMU)	hair styling	1st Asst Hairstylist
1st Asst Hairstylist	Hair & Makeup (HMU)	hair styling	2nd Asst Hairstylist
2nd Asst Hairstylist	Hair & Makeup (HMU)	hair styling	Hair Trainee
Hair Trainee	Hair & Makeup (HMU)	hair styling	-

Costume Designer	Costume	sewing, fashion	Asst Costume Designer
Asst Costume Designer	Costume	sewing, fashion	Costume Coordinator
Costume Coordinator	Costume	sewing, fashion	Costume Buyer
Costume Buyer	Costume	sewing, fashion	Set Supervisor
Set Supervisor	Costume	sewing, fashion	Costumer
Costumer	Costume	sewing, fashion	Dresser
Dresser	Costume	sewing, fashion	Tailor
Tailor	Costume	sewing, fashion	Seamstress
Seamstress	Costume	sewing, fashion	Stitcher
Stitcher	Costume	sewing, fashion	Milliner
Milliner	Costume	sewing, fashion	Cutter
Cutter	Costume	sewing, fashion	Costume Asst
Costume Asst	Costume	sewing, fashion	-
First Hand	Costume	sewing, fashion	-

Truck Driver	Transportation	truck driving license	Transportation trainee
Transportation trainee	Transportation	-	-

Production Designer	Art Department	art, drawing, architecture, interior design	Art Director
Art Director	Art Department	art, drawing, architecture, interior design	Asst Art Director
Asst Art Director	Art Department	art, drawing, architecture, interior design	Set Designer
Set Designer	Art Department	art, drawing, architecture, interior design	Illustrator
Illustrator	Art Department	art, drawing	Art Coodinator
Art Coodinator	Art Department	art, drawing	Storyboard Artist
Storyboard Artist	Art Department	art, drawing	-

Construction Coordinator	Construction	construction, contractor	Construction Buyer
Construction Buyer	Construction	construction, contractor	Foreman
Foreman	Construction	construction, contractor	Lead Carpenter
Lead Carpenter	Construction	construction, contractor	Scenic Carpenter
Scenic Carpenter	Construction	construction, contractor	Carpentry Asst
Carpentry Asst	Construction	construction, contractor	On-Set Carpenter
Metal Fabricator	Construction	construction, contractor	Construction Asst
Sculptor	Construction	construction, contractor	Construction Asst
On-Set Carpenter	Construction	construction, contractor	Construction Asst
Construction Asst	Construction	construction, contractor	-

Stills Photographer	Camera	photography	Camera Trainee
Camera Trainee	Camera	photography	-

Gaffer	Lighting	electrical	Best Boy
Best Boy	Lighting	electrical	Rigging Gaffer
Rigging Gaffer	Lighting	electrical	Generator Operator
Generator Operator	Lighting	electrical	Set Wireman
Set Wireman	Lighting	electrical	Lamp Operator
Lamp Operator	Lighting	electrical	-

Sound Designer	Sound	music, sound	Sound Mixer
Sound Mixer	Sound	music, sound	-
Orchestra Musician	Music	music, sound	-

SFX Supervisor	Special Effects	art, design, craftsmaking or similar	Key SFX
Key SFX	Special Effects	art, design, craftsmaking or similar	1st Asst SFX
1st Asst SFX	Special Effects	art, design, craftsmaking or similar	2nd Asst SFX
2nd Asst SFX	Special Effects	art, design, craftsmaking or similar	Model Maker
Model Maker	Special Effects	art, design, craftsmaking or similar	SFX Technician
SFX Technician	Special Effects	art, design, craftsmaking or similar	Special FX Trainee
Special FX Trainee	Special Effects	art, design, craftsmaking or similar	-

Key First Aid	Medic	medical	First Aid Attendant
First Aid Attendant	Medic	medical	EMT-A
EMT-A	Medic	medical	-

Head Chef	Catering	culinary	Sous Chef
Sous Chef	Catering	culinary	-

PAMELA CEDERQUIST
TEACHER

WRITER/DIRECTOR
HOMETOWN: NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK
LIVES IN: TIRANA, ALBANIA

Pamela is a multitalented writer/director who has written for Mindhunter (Netflix) and been an assistant director on Law & Order (NBC), among many other projects in her 50+ year career.

Skilled in theatre, film production, and television, Pamela graduated from NYU Tisch School of the Arts Graduate Film in New York & studied at Polakov School of Design.

She now loves living in Tirana and is excited to work with Albania's upcoming generation of TV and film storytellers.

About Me