Professionalism & Soft Skills
This soft skill involves managing your time effectively to meet deadlines.
What is time management?
Above-the-line roles are mainly responsible for what part of production?
Creative decision-making, they have direct creative influence over the project. (e.g., directing, producing, writing).
This term means the camera is recording.
What is “rolling”?
This above-the-line role manages the production, financing, and scheduling.
Producer
Name one soft skill AND one trade term we learned this week.
Examples: Soft skill – teamwork; Trade term – call sheet.
Name one difference between a hard skill and a soft skill.
Hard skills are technical, teachable abilities (e.g., camera operation, editing). Soft skills are interpersonal qualities (e.g., teamwork, communication).
Below-the-line roles focus on what type of work?
Technical execution, they help further develop the production in a finished project (e.g., camera, sound, editing).
A “close-up” focuses tightly on what?
A person’s face or a specific object.
Name one below-the-line role that works with lighting.
Gaffer
You’re working as a PA and your director tells you to “strike the set.” What should you do?
Remove set pieces and props after filming.
You’re on set and a teammate refuses to compromise on a creative idea. Name one professional way to handle the situation.
Use respectful communication, suggest a compromise, or involve the director to mediate. (Multiple correct answers allowed)
Name one universal professional behavior expected of all film crew members.
Examples: Respect for all team members, effective communication, punctuality, adaptability.
(Multiple correct answers allowed)
Name two camera movements and describe them.
Examples: Pan (side-to-side), tilt (up-and-down), dolly (forward/backward).
(Multiple correct answers allowed)
This creative role designs the visual concept of a film, including sets, props, and costumes.
Production Designer.
If you wanted to be in charge of visual composition and camera angles, what role would you want?
Cinematographer / Director of Photography.
Give one example of a good crew member behavior AND one example of a bad crew member behavior.
Good: arrives early, follows chain of command.
Bad: shows up late, distracts others.
(Multiple correct answers allowed)
A high school example of professionalism for a camera operator would be…
Arriving early to set up AV equipment for presentations. (Or similar examples)
In film production, what is “B-roll” used for?
Secondary footage used to support main shots.
Give an example of collaboration between an above-the-line and a below-the-line role.
Director (ATL) communicates vision to cinematographer (BTL) to achieve desired shots. (Multiple correct answers allowed)
A student actor keeps missing their mark on set. Name one possible soft skill they need to work on.
Examples: Attention to detail, focus, following directions.
A director has great visual storytelling skills but struggles with teamwork. Which type of soft skill does the director need to improve?
Soft skills (teamwork, communication).
Why is professionalism important in both above-the-line and below-the-line jobs?
It ensures successful collaboration, project completion, and career reputation.
Match the term to the definition:
Call Sheet, ADR, Foley.
Call Sheet – daily schedule; ADR – re-recording dialogue; Foley – adding sound effects after filming.
Name two above-the-line roles AND two below-the-line roles.
Above: Director, Producer, Screenwriter. Below: Editor, Gaffer, Sound Engineer. (multiple CORRECT answers allowed)
Describe a situation where professionalism, terminology, and teamwork all matter at the same time.
Example: During a live school broadcast, crew uses proper terms (“rolling”), works together to adjust lighting, and communicates respectfully under pressure. (Multiple correct answers allowed)