The Construction Department

Behind the scenes - building of the ice palace in Die Another Day

The Ice Palace, Die Another Day, with thanks to Eon

Construction Department workers play a vital role in determining the look of films: they are responsible for building, painting and plastering all the sets required for productions. They work closely with the Art and Design Department to ensure that the Director's and the Production Designer's ideas are visually realised on sets.

The Construction Department is overseen by the Construction Manager, who is responsible for ensuring that all the required work is completed to deadline, within budget, and to the specifications set by the Production Designer. Once appointed, Construction Managers are responsible for hiring in the required number of Carpenters, Painters, Riggers and Plasterers, as well as for co-ordinating the purchase of all the necessary materials and tools.

Further details and occupations found in this area are detailed below:

Construction Department Overview

Construction Department workers play a vital role in determining the look of films: they are responsible for building, painting and plastering all the sets required for productions.

Assistant Construction Manager

Assistant Construction Managers help Construction Managers to build sets and stages, within budgets, to deadlines, and to meet standards set by Production Designers.

Plasterer

Plasterers working in film production are skilled craftsmen, with traditional solid plastering abilities, such as applying plaster and cement mixtures to walls, and fixing ornamental plasterwork.

Sculptor

Sculptors on film productions design and create special features, such as statues or complex props.

Chargehand Rigger

Chargehand Riggers are responsible for managing a team, or gang, of Riggers on specific rigging projects during film productions.

Supervising Rigger

Supervising Riggers report directly to HOD Riggers, and are likely to be directly responsible for rigging requirements on several different sound stages, or on location builds during film shoots.

Rigger

Riggers install and assemble rigging gear such as scaffolding, cables and ropes as instructed by Chargehand, Supervising or HOD Riggers.

Standby Carpenter

Standby Carpenters are highly experienced carpenters who must be constantly available on set or on location during film shoots, to service the needs of the camera team.

Chargehand Painter

Chargehand Painters run the Painting team on film productions. Appointed by, and reporting to, the Construction Manager, they lead a team of Painters who are responsible for applying paint, varnish, wallpaper and other finishes to props, scenery and sets.

Standby Painter

Standby Painters usually have many years' experience of working in the film industry, and work on sets or on locations during film shoots to help remedy any last minute problems.

Stagehands

Stagehands work closely with all members of the Construction team, as well as with other departments, on a film production. They contribute to the construction, transportation, rigging, de-rigging and storage of sets.

Construction manager

Construction Managers supervise the construction of sets and stages for film productions. They co-ordinate the entire process of set building, from initial planning through to the final coat of paint on the finished sets.

HOD (Head of Department) Plasterer

HOD (Head of Department) Plasterers lead the plastering team for all set and stage work during film production.

Model Maker

Model makers specialise in designing, creating and producing three-dimensional scale models and miniatures for use on film productions.

HOD Rigger

Riggers' role in the film industry is equivalent to that of regular scaffolders, although film work is much more complex than traditional scaffolding, and Riggers' work may range from building relatively small platforms, up to the construction of the main supporting structures of elaborate film sets.

Standby Rigger

Standby Riggers are highly experienced Riggers who are constantly available on set or on location during film shoots, to help remedy any last-minute problems.

Chargehand Carpenter

Chargehand Carpenters are in charge of the carpentry team on film productions.

Carpenter

Carpenters on film productions are key members of the construction team, and they must be very skilled at their craft.

Trainee Carpenter

Trainee Carpenters are the junior members of the construction team. It is likely that they already have some basic carpentry qualifications.

Scenic Artist

Scenic Artists paint backdrops, murals and many other elements on film sets.

Painter

Painters apply paint, varnish, wallpaper and other finishes to props, scenery and sets on film productions.

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