Join Michael Bishop—industry-proven First AD and Directors Guild of Canada member with more than two decades of experience on major productions!

And don’t miss your exclusive Crew Roles Cheat Sheet, the essential tool for understanding every moving part of a working film set.

If you’re stepping into the film industry, you already know that understanding how a set functions is one of the most important skills you can develop. A production is made up of dozens of departments and specialists, each with a specific purpose, and when you don’t yet know who does what—or who talks to whom—it can feel impossible to keep up. This webinar gives you the big-picture clarity you need so you can walk onto any set with confidence, communicate effectively, and make smart decisions about the team you’re building.

But if you’re like most beginners, the sheer number of crew roles can feel overwhelming. You might be unsure how the AD team interacts with camera, or who handles what between grips, electrics, sound, art, wardrobe, and more. Maybe you’ve worried about breaking on-set etiquette without realizing it or made hiring decisions without truly understanding each department’s responsibilities. These are common obstacles that can slow down your projects, create miscommunication, and add unnecessary stress. This webinar is designed to clear up those blind spots, helping you understand set hierarchy, avoid mistakes, and see filmmaking as the team sport it truly is.

To guide you through this, you’ll be learning from Michael Bishop, a seasoned industry professional with more than twenty years of hands-on experience. Since graduating from Vancouver Film School in 2001, Michael has built an extraordinary career that includes over 100 film and television credits—spanning everything from independent productions to major studio blockbusters like TRON: Legacy, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, and Smallville. As a first assistant director in the Directors Guild of Canada, he has managed large crews, navigated complex productions, and built a reputation as a collaborative, reliable, and highly skilled leader on set. You’re learning from someone who has lived every scenario you’ll face—and knows how to demystify it for you.

In this webinar, you’ll get a clear, accessible breakdown of how a film set works, including the three phases of production, the full hierarchy and chain of command, and the roles and responsibilities of every major department. You’ll learn how communication flows on set, how to hire the right people for your project, what on-set do’s and don’ts you need to know, and how to support the crew so the entire production runs smoothly. Plus, you’ll receive a “Who’s Who on Set” Crew Cheat Sheet to keep as a reference. By the end, you’ll walk away with the foundational knowledge you need to navigate any set with confidence—and start building your career with clarity and momentum.

Praise for Michael's Education:

"Michael is the real deal. He was so generous with his knowledge and time. I can't wait to take his next webinar!" - Edith R.

"I learned a lot from this webinar, he was incredibly prepared and very practical in his approach. Thank you Michael!" - Sam T.

Webinar Goals

• Give beginners a clear, big-picture understanding of who’s who on a film set.
• Explain how departments interact and communicate during a shoot.
• Help new producers, directors, and writers know which roles they need to hire.
• Demystify set hierarchy so crews can work together smoothly and safely.

Big Picture

• How a Film Set Works
• The three main phases of film
• The three priorities every crew member should protect.
• An overview of Film Hierarchy & Chain of Command

The roles on set and their responsibilities

 Above-the-Line Roles (Creative & Financial Leadership)

• Producer / Executive Producer / Line Producer
• Director
• Writer / Showrunner (for series)
• Principal Cast
  

Assistant Director Team – Communication Hub of the Set

• Script Supervisor
• 1st Assistant Director (1st AD)
• 2nd Assistant Director (2nd AD)
• 3rd AD / Trainee AD / Key PA
• Production Manager

Production Support

• Script Supervisor
• Accounting Department

Camera Department

• Director of Photography (DP) / Cinematographer
• Camera Operator, 1st AC, 2nd AC, DIT

Grip & Electric (Lighting, Rigging, and Camera Support)

• Gaffer & Electric
• Key Grip & Grip Team

Sound Department

• Production Sound Mixer & Boom Operator

Art Department & Props

• Production Designer & Art Director
• Set Decoration & Props

Costume / Wardrobe

• Costume Designer & Wardrobe Team

Hair & Makeup (HMU)

• Key Hair, Key Makeup, SFX Makeup

Locations & Unit

• Location Manager & Team
• Unit / Craft Service

Stunts, Special Effects (SFX), and Visual Effects (VFX)

• Stunt Coordinator & Stunt Team
• Special Effects (Practical)
• Visual Effects (VFX)

Transportation, Medics, and Other Key Support Roles

• Transportation Captain & Drivers
• Set Medic / Safety Officer

Production Office & Paper Trail

Building Your Crew & On-Set Etiquette

• Where to Start When Hiring
• On-Set Do’s and Don’ts (for Beginners)
• Film as a team sport
• Final tips on working with the crew to accomplish the film at hand

Q&A with Michael Bishop

• New producers, directors, and writers who want a clear understanding of how a film set operates

• First-time filmmakers preparing to hire or work with a full crew

• Film students, recent graduates, and beginners entering the industry

• Aspiring assistant directors, production managers, or department leads who want to learn set hierarchy

• Independent creators transitioning from small crews to professional sets

• Anyone who feels overwhelmed by the number of crew roles and wants a practical, big-picture guide

• Professionals from adjacent fields (editing, post-production, acting) looking to understand on-set workflows

• Content creators expanding into larger-scale productions who need to understand department responsibilities and on-set etiquette

Praise for Michael's Education:

"Michael is the real deal. He was so generous with his knowledge and time. I can't wait to take his next webinar!" - Edith R.

"I learned a lot from this webinar, he was incredibly prepared and very practical in his approach. Thank you Michael!" - Sam T.