Transport Captain
Transport Captains are responsible for the daily transportation schedule of the cast and key crew during a film shoot. Their work brings them into contact with most of the key production personnel. Depending on the film's size, they are either hired by the Transport Co-ordinator, Line Producer or Production Co-ordinator, and will themselves hire and take charge of a team of Drivers who are responsible for ferrying actors, crew and documents, to and from the set. The role requires extensive driving experience, excellent planning and management skills, and good geographical knowledge.
Responsibilities
Transport Captains are in charge of all of the Drivers who are employed to drive actors, crew, the director, producers, press and extras to and from key locations, unit bases, editing suites and production offices. Working in collaboration with the Transport Co-ordinator, Production Co-ordinator or Line Producer, Transport Captains ascertain how many Drivers and vehicles are needed, as well as the types of vehicles required, e.g., cars, mini-buses and buses. They hire the Drivers, and co-ordinate their driving schedules, to ensure that their time is used to maximum effect during shooting days. Transport Captains are responsible for making sure that Drivers arrive on time, and at the right place, to pick up production staff and artists, and that they are delivered to the correct location, at the right time. To keep within the transport budget, Transport Captains may ask Drivers to adjust their schedules, so that they pick up two or three staff on the way to a shoot in the morning. As well as being responsible for co-ordination, Transport Captains are also usually part of the actual driving team. They invariably work very long hours during a shoot; their schedule may require them to pick up a cast member at 5.00am to deliver them on set for make-up at 6.00am, and to take the actor back at the end of the day's shoot.
Skills
Transport Captains need strong planning skills, and attention to detail in order to co-ordinate what may be very elaborate transportation schedules. They may need good IT skills to work out and present the driving schedule. They must be very familiar with the geography of the area in which a shoot takes place, or be excellent map-readers to gain a very quick understanding of it. They need to be able to recognise the proficiency or otherwise of the Drivers they hire, and the roadworthiness of their vehicles. They must be flexible, adaptable and have good leadership skills. They must be excellent timekeepers, able to accurately predict journey times to and from a set; as film shoots are run on very tight timetables, delays in getting a key member of the crew or an artist to the set can prove very costly. As Drivers, they must be able to maintain their own vehicle to very high standards, and be sensitive to the needs of their passengers.
Qualifications/Experience
Transport Captains need extensive driving experience, as well as the necessary licences to drive a variety of vehicles, and a thorough knowledge of driving legislation. For insurance purposes, Drivers employed on film shoots must be over 25 years of age if they are to transport crew and artists. It is likely that Transport Captains will have passed the Advanced Driving Test. While no formal academic qualifications are required, Transport Captains must have excellent communication skills in order to carry out their role effectively.
Responsibilities
Transport Captains are in charge of all of the Drivers who are employed to drive actors, crew, the director, producers, press and extras to and from key locations, unit bases, editing suites and production offices. Working in collaboration with the Transport Co-ordinator, Production Co-ordinator or Line Producer, Transport Captains ascertain how many Drivers and vehicles are needed, as well as the types of vehicles required, e.g., cars, mini-buses and buses. They hire the Drivers, and co-ordinate their driving schedules, to ensure that their time is used to maximum effect during shooting days. Transport Captains are responsible for making sure that Drivers arrive on time, and at the right place, to pick up production staff and artists, and that they are delivered to the correct location, at the right time. To keep within the transport budget, Transport Captains may ask Drivers to adjust their schedules, so that they pick up two or three staff on the way to a shoot in the morning. As well as being responsible for co-ordination, Transport Captains are also usually part of the actual driving team. They invariably work very long hours during a shoot; their schedule may require them to pick up a cast member at 5.00am to deliver them on set for make-up at 6.00am, and to take the actor back at the end of the day's shoot.
Skills
Transport Captains need strong planning skills, and attention to detail in order to co-ordinate what may be very elaborate transportation schedules. They may need good IT skills to work out and present the driving schedule. They must be very familiar with the geography of the area in which a shoot takes place, or be excellent map-readers to gain a very quick understanding of it. They need to be able to recognise the proficiency or otherwise of the Drivers they hire, and the roadworthiness of their vehicles. They must be flexible, adaptable and have good leadership skills. They must be excellent timekeepers, able to accurately predict journey times to and from a set; as film shoots are run on very tight timetables, delays in getting a key member of the crew or an artist to the set can prove very costly. As Drivers, they must be able to maintain their own vehicle to very high standards, and be sensitive to the needs of their passengers.
Qualifications/Experience
Transport Captains need extensive driving experience, as well as the necessary licences to drive a variety of vehicles, and a thorough knowledge of driving legislation. For insurance purposes, Drivers employed on film shoots must be over 25 years of age if they are to transport crew and artists. It is likely that Transport Captains will have passed the Advanced Driving Test. While no formal academic qualifications are required, Transport Captains must have excellent communication skills in order to carry out their role effectively.
