A space is the sum of its details. At first glance, a set might seem like an empty room waiting to be shot, but to the Set Decoration Department, it’s an opportunity to begin storytelling long before the cameras roll. They breathe life into otherwise blank spaces, leaving behind traces of the people who “live” there and offering the audience subtle clues about their inner worlds.
It’s the remnants of yesterday’s celebration scattered across a table, the perfectly arranged tools in a father’s workshop, the childhood toys gathering dust in a room frozen in time. These are all narrative breadcrumbs in worldbuilding.
A set is a storytelling instrument, revealing a character’s personality, history, values, and emotional state, and can make or break our immersion into the film. Props (the individual objects that populate these environments) carry meaning whether they’re essential to the plot or simply something a character handles in passing. A cluttered kitchen counter isn’t just clutter; it might be the aftermath of a rushed morning, evidence of unresolved tension, or the quiet chaos of a life in transition.
Every room, every object, every worn surface contributes to the illusion that characters inhabit a real, living space. Though viewers may know they’re watching a film, set decoration is what allows them to feel the world immediately. It’s the craft of building authenticity through objects, shaping environments so fully realized that audiences instinctively understand the lives unfolding inside them.
A single photo tucked into a mirror frame, a trophy collecting dust on a shelf, a candle burned low: these elements carry emotional and narrative weight. They ground the viewer, reinforce the film’s logic, and help fictional worlds feel inhabited rather than staged.
The Set Decoration Department
Set decoration is responsible for filling the spaces imagined by the Production Designer and built by the Construction Departments. If art direction creates the structure, set decoration gives it a soul. It brings life through furniture, textiles, décor, personal belongings, practical items, and all the small touches the audience would instantly feel missing.
The Set Decoration Department researches, sources, fabricates, dresses, maintains, and resets every object on screen. They ensure continuity across shooting days, adjust environments for camera movement and actor blocking, and collaborate closely with directors, cinematographers, props, and art to maintain cohesion in tone and visual storytelling. Their work is a blend of artistry and logistical precision with humanity at its core.
Key Roles in the Set Decoration Department
The Set Decoration Department works to bring to life the overall visual blueprint for the project, as set by the Production Designer. They interpret the narrative function, mood, palette, and architecture of every environment needed by the script. The Production Designer and the Set Decorator (lead of this department) work in constant collaboration to ensure that every set feels cohesive, believable, and rooted in the story’s world.
Creative & Supervisory Roles
Set Decorator: The department lead. They interpret the script and design brief, determine the overall look and emotional tone of each environment, bridging artistic vision and practical reality through furniture, décor, textures, and personal items that bring the space to life.
Assistant Set Decorator: Supports the Set Decorator in research, sourcing, budgeting, scheduling, and coordinating with vendors, rentals, construction, and props.
Technical & Hands-On Roles
Lead Set Dresser: Manages the team responsible for physically placing furniture and décor on set, overseeing installation, layout, and adjustments.
Set Dressers: They move, assemble, position, hang, polish, clean, tweak, and maintain everything on set. They respond to real‑time needs during shooting.
Support & Logistics Roles
Buyer / Shopper: Sources décor, furniture, textiles, and specialty items, balancing aesthetics, budget, deadlines, and availability.
Truck Coordinator / Driver: Manages transportation of all set dressing materials to and from locations, ensures careful packing, inventory, efficient loading/unloading as sets change.
Why It Matters
Set decoration plays a crucial role in shaping how audiences understand and experience a story. It builds the visual language that tells us where we are, who lives there, and what their world feels like. Thoughtfully chosen objects, textures, and details create environments that feel inhabited and emotionally resonant, grounding the narrative in a believable reality.
By supporting the Production Designer’s vision and ensuring consistency across every frame, the Set Decoration Department helps maintain continuity, clarity, and immersion. Their work strengthens the storytelling by reinforcing character, tone, and atmosphere in ways that feel immediate and intuitive to viewers. Set decoration may operate quietly in the background, but its impact shapes the emotional and visual foundation of the entire film.
Film sets are dynamic, high-pressure environments where creativity thrives, but they can also present barriers for crew members and collaborators with disabilities or different access needs. Beyond compliance, accessibility means creating a culture of inclusion to ensure everyone can do their best work. Read on for a starting point into making your sets more accessible and inclusive.
Why Accessibility Matters
An accessible set ensures that every member of the team can participate fully and safely. Not only is it a legal requirement in many regions, it’s a creative imperative. When people feel supported and included, productions run smoother, morale improves, and the work itself benefits from diverse perspectives.
1. Design for Physical Access
Before the cameras roll, think about how people will move through the space:
Clear pathways: keep walkways wide and free of clutter. Use cable ramps and secure loose wires to prevent tripping hazards.
Step-free access: provide ramps or lifts for stages, platforms, and elevated areas. Confirm that entrances and exits are accessible.
Accessible facilities: ensure restrooms, green rooms, and dining areas meet accessibility standards. If filming on location, these features need to be verified when scouting.
Quiet spaces: designate calm areas for breaks, especially for those who need sensory-friendly environments.
2. Communication is Key
How information flows can also greatly improve accessibility:
Inclusive call sheets: add notes about accessible routes, restroom locations, and emergency procedures.
Multiple formats: share scripts, schedules, and notes in screen-reader-friendly formats and offer large-print options.
Visual and audio support: use clear signage and consider assistive listening devices or interpreters when needed.
3. Foster Inclusive Coworking Practices
Creating an accessible set is a team effort:
Use inclusive hiring practices: ensure job postings use inclusive, bias-free language and clearly outline accessibility accommodations.
Normalize accommodation requests: encourage open dialogue by asking for accommodation requests during onboarding.
Create equitable on-set environments: establish clear expectations for respectful behaviour, with zero tolerance for discrimination or harassment.
Prioritize ongoing education: offer training on unconscious bias, equity, and cultural competency for all levels of production, from leadership to crew.
4. Equip Your Set
Small changes can make a big difference:
Adjustable workstations: provide height-adjustable tables and camera rigs.
Seating options: offer chairs or stools for crew who need them.
Accessible tech: ensure digital tools are compatible with assistive technologies.
Emergency Preparedness
Safety plans must include everyone:
Accessible evacuation routes: clearly mark and communicate them.
Drills and protocols: make sure all crew members understand and practice emergency procedures.
Building a Culture of Access
Accessibility is inclusion in action. An accessible set ensures creativity isn’t limited by physical or systemic obstacles, where everyone can contribute without barriers. When we design for access, we design for better collaboration, stronger teams, and richer storytelling.
Though we often just think of dialogue and music, sound is the entire sonic universe that gives life to the images on screen. From the rustling of leaves to the faint hum of a distant city, from truncated background conversations to the subtle sound of a hand brushing against fabric, every detail matters. These layers of sound combine to create a complete, believable environment where the story unfolds.
The Sound Department
A film’s soundscape is an active agent in storytelling with the ability to heighten emotion, advance the plot through off-screen cues, or even speak when visuals cannot. Think about the fading of sound to convey isolation, or the amplification of a heartbeat to express inner turmoil. There are endless examples where sound often communicates what the eye cannot see.
Creating this immersive experience requires precision and creativity. More than just recording what happens on set and mixing it together, the Sound Department handles designing, layering, and molding audio so that every moment feels authentic. Even something as simple as the subtle ambient sound of a space plays a crucial role in making dialogue edits seamless and maintaining the illusion of reality. That is called room tone, the unsung hero of filmmaking.
Key Roles in the Sound Department
Here are a few of the diverse roles in this department:
Creative and Supervisory Roles
Sound Designer: Crafts the overall soundscape of the film, combining music, dialogue, and effects into one unified sonic experience.
Music Supervisor: Selects and licenses songs for the soundtrack, ensuring they fit the tone and story.
Dialogue and Voice Roles
ADR Recordist: Specializes in Automated Dialogue Replacement (ADR), re-recording dialogue in a studio to fix issues like background noise or missed lines.
Dialogue Editor: Cleans and edits spoken lines for clarity and sync with visuals.
Music Roles
Composer: Writes original music that reflects the film’s tone and emotional beats. They collaborate closely with directors and editors to ensure the score enhances the narrative.
Music Editor: Works with the Composer and Director to integrate music into the film, creating temp tracks, syncing cues, and preparing mixes for the final dub.
Sound Effects Roles
Foley Artist: Recreates everyday sounds (footsteps, door creaks, fabric rustles) that are hard to capture on set. Their creativity brings authenticity to scenes.
Sound Effects Editor: Adds and manipulates effects like explosions, weather, or sci-fi sounds to match the visual action.
Technical and Support Roles
Sound Mixer: Leads the team responsible for capturing sound during filming, primarily dialogue. They troubleshoot issues on set and ensure audio quality.
Sound Recordist: Captures all location sound, from dialogue to ambient noise, and ensures proper syncing with visuals.
Why It Matters
Sound can make or break a film. Done well, it draws audiences deeper into the story; done poorly, it shatters immersion. It adds dimension to visuals, helps create the world where the action takes place, and influences how we perceive every moment. The exact quality of each sound effect adds another layer to the aesthetic and emotional impact of the film.
From futuristic soundscapes to the quiet beauty of natural environments, sound shapes identity. It can do as much as visuals in communicating emotion, or even advance the plot through cues and off-screen sounds. In short, sound is a storytelling powerhouse.
Stories that celebrate difference
As we’ve explored in previous posts, storytelling shapes culture, deepens our sense of identity, and influences how we connect with one another. It opens doors to empathy and understanding, inviting us to see the world beyond our own experiences. Diversity matters both in front of and behind the camera, because the stories we tell are just as important as who tells them and how they are told.
Film festivals and awards play a vital role in this process. Festivals are platforms where systemically excluded voices can be amplified. From emerging storytellers to established creators, festivals offer opportunities to discover new perspectives, share knowledge, and build connections. Through industry events, mentorship programs, and networking spaces, these gatherings help shape the cultural conversation and create pathways for diverse talent.
Similarly, awards are crucial in shaping the culture of the film industry because they determine who gets recognized for their achievements. Recognition influences visibility, funding, and future opportunities. When juries and selection committees lack diversity, the stories that win often reflect only a narrow perspective.
Equity in Action
Equity requires intentional effort. Festivals that prioritize diversity actively dismantle barriers and redistribute access to opportunities. This means curating programs that highlight underrepresented voices, offering mentorship and funding, and ensuring accessibility for all participants. Through this, festivals become engines of change.
Festivals also connect local filmmakers and audiences with international creators and stories, creating opportunities for cultural exchange, collaboration, and learning. These connections strengthen the creative community and ensure that diverse voices are not only heard but shared and celebrated worldwide. This is valuable to everyone involved, on an industry level as well as a personal level.
British Columbia has a plethora of festivals that showcase the richness and complexity of lived experience. Their work creates connections, provides pathways for new talent, and spotlights impressive stories. Below are a few of the local festivals that put diversity at the heart of their mission:
Discover even more local festivals on the Knowledge Hub.
In addition, many other festivals dedicate screening categories or host events aimed at diverse creators, such as VIFF’s Panorama series, or the frequent international documentaries screened at DOXA. Beyond the festival circuit, local cinemas and initiatives continue this work in their regular programming, such as VIFF’s African Cinema Now! series, or The Cinematheque’s Our Stories to Tell series.
This work cannot be fulfilled with dedicated programs or festivals alone. To truly amplify diverse voices, diversity must be a guiding principle for every festival, woven into programming and decision-making. When inclusion becomes the norm rather than the exception, that is when cultural change can happen.
Guiding Principles for Film Festivals
To ensure these spaces are equitable and inclusive, festivals must follow guiding principles that champion representation, accessibility, and fairness at every level. Here are a few examples:
Inclusive programming: feature films that represent diverse voices, identities, and lived experiences.
Accessible participation: make venues and events physically accessible and provide necessary accommodations.
Diverse decision-making: include BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and disabled voices on juries and programming committees.
Community partnerships: collaborate with organizations that support underrepresented filmmakers.
Fair compensation: pay artists and staff equitably and maintain transparency in fees and contracts.
Diversity in Awards
Awards mean recognition, celebration, and prestige. Recognition matters because it validates voices and opens doors. When awards reflect the full spectrum of talent, they help reshape the industry and the stories we celebrate, creating space for underrepresented stories to thrive.
Inclusive awards practices mean:
Diversifying juries and decision-makers to reflect a range of identities and lived experiences.
Transparent criteria that value cultural authenticity and innovation.
Equitable access to submission processes.
What Can I Do?
Support local festivals by attending screenings and Q&As, spreading the word to your peers, or volunteering your time to take an active role and meet likeminded folks. After all, festivals are places of connection, and you don’t need to work in film to advocate for diversity and inclusion in storytelling. Explore the mandates and values of the festivals you attend, and pay attention to who wins awards, and who doesn’t.
As filmmakers and industry professionals, you have the ability to shift the culture of the industry. Mentor emerging filmmakers, hire crews with inclusivity and fairness in mind, and create safe spaces on set where everyone can work, learn, and thrive.
And everyone, the simplest yet most powerful action is to keep watching films that challenge and expand your worldview. Stories shape culture and your choices matter.
When you watch a blockbuster film filled with fire-breathing dragons, alien worlds, or epic battle scenes with thousands of characters, you’re witnessing the incredible work of the Visual Effects (VFX) Department. This team of artists, technicians, and supervisors brings the impossible to life, blending imagination with cutting-edge technology to create visuals that captivate audiences around the world.
The Visual Effects Department
The Visual Effects Department is where the real world meets the digital realm. VFX artists take footage captured on set and enhance it with computer-generated imagery (CGI), creating scenes that would be too dangerous, expensive, or outright impossible to film in real life, such as dinosaurs roaming, cities crumbling, or immense crowds populating battlefields.
Using a mix of artistic vision and technical prowess, VFX professionals craft everything from subtle environmental enhancements to full-scale digital worlds. Their work is essential in modern filmmaking, especially in genres like science fiction, fantasy, and action.
Key Roles in the Visual Effects Department
The VFX department is made up of a diverse range of roles, each contributing a unique skill set to the final product. Here’s a breakdown of some of the key positions:
Creative & Supervisory Roles
VFX Supervisor: Oversees the entire visual effects process, ensuring the director’s vision is realized.
VFX Producer: Manages budgets, schedules, and resources, keeping the project on track.
VFX Coordinator: Handles day-to-day operations.
Artistic & Technical Roles
Concept Artist: Visualizes ideas, environments, and characters before production begins.
3D Modeler: Builds digital representations of characters, props, and environments.
Texture Artist: Adds surface details to 3D models for realism.
Rigging Artist: Creates the digital skeletons that allow models to move.
FX Artist: Specializes in dynamic simulations like fire, smoke, and explosions.
Technical & Support Roles
Pipeline TD (Technical Director): Develops and maintains tools and workflows for efficient production.
Render Wrangler: Oversees the rendering process to ensure timely delivery of frames.
Specialized Roles
Look Development Artist: Defines the visual style of assets, including shaders and materials.
Environment Artist: Constructs digital landscapes and settings.
Crowd Artist: Simulates large groups of characters or objects using specialized software.
Check out Screen Skills for even more roles in this ever evolving domain.
Why It Matters
Visual effects are storytelling tools, allowing filmmakers to push the boundaries of imagination, immerse audiences in new worlds, and provide the means for narratives that would otherwise be impossible. VFX also plays a crucial role in safety and cost-efficiency, enabling productions to simulate dangerous stunts or expensive locations digitally.
As the demand for high-quality content grows across film, television, and streaming platforms, the VFX industry continues to evolve, offering exciting career paths that blend creativity with technology. Whether you’re an aspiring artist, a tech enthusiast, or someone curious about the magic behind the scenes, the Visual Effects Department is itself a fascinating world.
Storytelling is one of the most powerful tools we have to make sense of the world. From the beginning of time, we’ve passed down knowledge, imagined futures, and connected across generations and cultures through the simple act of telling stories. Through them, we shape identity, create a sense of belonging, and expand our worldview.
Yet the stories we’ve seen across media have often reflected only a narrow slice of human experience. Historically and systematically, diverse voices have been excluded from the creative process. To truly reflect the richness of humanity, storytelling must embrace complexity, intersectionality, and authenticity. That’s why representation matters, both on screen and behind the scenes.
The power of storytelling
When we see ourselves in stories, it affirms our existence and tells us our experiences matter. For children, representation in media can shape identity and open up possibilities. For all of us, it builds empathy, challenges stereotypes, and broadens perspective.
Storytelling allows audiences to learn about cultures, histories, and experiences they may not encounter otherwise. It fosters curiosity, connection, and understanding. Most importantly, it reflects our world back to us with all the nuance and diversity present in the audience itself.
The consequences of exclusion and misrepresentation
Systemic discrimination has long kept many voices out of the media landscape. Lack of access, opportunity, and recognition has led to the under- and misrepresentation of communities. These gaps have real consequences on screen and beyond.
When stories ignore entire communities altogether, it feels like a denial of their existence. And when stories do include marginalized groups but rely on stereotypes or tokenism, they reinforce harmful narratives rather than challenge them.
Misrepresentation can take many forms:
Stereotyping: Reducing characters to clichés based on race, gender, sexuality, or other identities.
Erasure: Including diverse characters but stripping away cultural specificity or depth.
Villainization: Repeatedly casting certain groups as threats or problems.
Exploitative portrayal: Treating diverse characters as symbols of pity or perseverance, rather than portraying them as full individuals.
These portrayals shape public perception and influence real-world attitudes. Authentic representation requires not just visibility, but depth, honouring complexity, intersectionality, and lived experience with nuance and care.
Expanding the narrative
Inclusive storytelling doesn’t just benefit those who are represented, it benefits everyone. It challenges assumptions, breaks down barriers, and invites us to connect more deeply with the world around us. When everyone is included both in the stories we tell and in the telling itself, our narratives become more powerful, more expansive, and more human.
Advancing equity in B.C. storytelling
Across B.C., the motion picture industry is taking meaningful steps toward greater equity, diversity, and inclusion.
The Creative Equity Roadmap, developed in partnership between Creative BC and Elevate Inclusion Strategies, offers a shared framework to guide organizations in building inclusive practices. It supports industry-wide collaboration and provides practical tools, common language, and resources to help reshape systems and workplace culture. Discover the Creative Equity Roadmap here.
On an individual level, Creative Pathways™ Professional Development Programs are helping film professionals deepen their understanding and create change. Discover the two programs:
Inclusive Leadership in Film + TV An impactful two-day series designed specifically for leaders and supervisors committed to creating respectful and inclusive workplace cultures.
When it comes to bringing a film to life, light is one of the most powerful tools in the storytelling process. More than just illumination, it sets the tone, mood, and emotional impact of each scene. From highlighting an actor’s performance to casting shadows that deepen suspense, the Lighting Department shapes how audiences experience the story on screen.
The Lighting Department
Effective lighting design is essential to both the creative process and the technical execution of film production.
The Lighting department is responsible for the design and implementation of lighting for all aspects of a production, from the initial creative concept to the placement of lights and operation of equipment on set. Led by the Director of Photography (DP), the department works closely with the director to create the visual style of the film, ensuring every scene supports the story.
The Lighting Department highlights key elements such as actors, props, and set design, and uses light and shadow to enhance atmosphere and emotion. Their work requires not only artistry and attention to detail but also deep technical knowledge of equipment and safety. Strong communication, problem-solving, and the ability to make quick decisions are critical, ensuring productions move smoothly and safely.
Key Roles in the Lighting Department
Director of Photography (DP)
The DP is the head of the Lighting Department and is responsible for the overall look and feel of the film. Working closely with the director, they establish the visual tone of the story and lead the lighting crew in executing this vision. The DP’s role will be explored in more depth in a future post covering the Camera Department.
Gaffer
The Gaffer is the chief lighting technician and the DP’s right hand. They design and execute the lighting plan, oversee the lighting crew, and manage both artistic and technical aspects of lighting. Main responsibilities:
Work with the DP to translate creative vision into a practical lighting plan
Conduct recces (location visits) to determine lighting needs and draw up equipment lists
Oversee placement of lights, electrical systems, and crew safety
Manage the lighting budget and ensure compliance with electrical and legal regulations
Best Boy
The Best Boy is the Gaffer’s key assistant, coordinating logistics and supervising the electricians. They ensure that everything needed for the lighting plan arrives on time and functions properly. Main responsibilities:
Manage lighting crew schedules and logistics
Liaise with the production office and rental companies
Oversee paperwork, equipment orders, and deliveries
Troubleshoot on set to keep production moving smoothly
Generator Operator (Genny Operator)
When productions film in remote areas without sufficient power, the Genny Operator provides and manages electricity. Main responsibilities:
Transport, maintain, and operate mobile generators
Ensure generators meet production power specifications
Carry out regular cleaning and maintenance for safe, reliable use
Lighting Technicians
Lighting Technicians are responsible for the hands-on setup and operation of equipment. They work under the Gaffer and Best Boy to ensure all lighting is correctly positioned and functioning. Main responsibilities:
Set up and maintain lights before and during shoots
Install filters, bulbs, and accessories to achieve specific effects
Troubleshoot technical issues as they arise
Adapt to different production needs and safety requirements
Why It Matters
Lighting is one of the most critical components of the filmmaking process. It transforms scripts into cinematic worlds, shaping mood, emotion, and storytelling. The Lighting Department brings the director and DP’s vision to life, ensuring that every frame is visually compelling while keeping production safe and efficient. From the subtle glow of a candlelit room to the intensity of a high-speed chase under bright spotlights, their work ensures audiences experience the story exactly as intended.
Featured image: MONGRELS. Photo credit: Angel Lynne
In order to break into the film industry, having a film-specific resume and portfolio is an essential asset through which you can present your experience. Unlike corporate resumes, there’s no “one-size-fits-all” format in film. Instead, a film resume focuses on creative and production experience, highlighting both on-set and off-set work as well as industry-specific skills. Think of it as your professional story: a record of your work, your credibility, and your potential.
Whether you’re applying for a grant, joining a union or guild, or sending your resume to a production office, read these tips to learn how to get started building a resume and portfolio.
The four Ts of tackling resumes
When preparing your film resume, keep these four guiding steps in mind:
Track: Research the production details: what’s the genre, budget, or who are the key personnel? This helps tailor your application.
Target: Identify the correct person or department who should receive your resume.
Tailor: Adjust your resume for the role, emphasizing the most relevant skills.
Trim: Remove irrelevant or outdated experience unless it demonstrates transferable skills.
Resume Best Practices
Submit as a PDF only and use a clear file name.
Include clickable links (email, website, IMDb, LinkedIn, demo reels) and ensure they work.
Photos are not required (unless submitting for a role as a performer).
Match keywords to the job posting.
Keep it succinct: ideally one page, no more than two.
List credits in reverse chronological order (most recent first).
Proofread and maintain consistent formatting.
Ask permission before listing references.
Be ready for a follow-up call: producers and coordinators often move quickly.
Structuring Your Film Resume
Here’s a common structure you can follow:
1. Contact Information
Name, phone, email, location (city, province)
Include any union, guild and industry membership or affiliations
Optional: LinkedIn, personal website, demo reel (if using hyperlinks make sure they work!)
2. Production Credits
Always list production credits by most recent first.
Include production title, type (feature, series, MOW etc.), duration or year, role, key/head of department or supervisors.
Separate student projects from professional experience wherever possible.
3. Film-Adjacent, Honorary, Board Experience or Other Relevant Experience
Mention any prior experience tied to the film industry that illustrates your knowledge.
If you are just starting in film, work that demonstrates transferrable skills applicable to motion picture can be included as you build your experience.
4. Education + Training
Include only relevant film school or industry training.
5. Certifications
Traffic Control Person (TCP), Motion Picture Orientation Program (MPIO), WHMIS, and any film industry-approved and required certifications. Always ensure your certificates are not expired.
6. Volunteer Experience
Include festival volunteering, on-set help, or community contributions.
7. Additional Sections
Hard skills: driver’s license, languages, equipment/software expertise.
Awards and nominations.
8. References
Always ask in advance. Having a familiar and trusted name on your resume goes a long way in the tight-knit film industry.
Where to Find Resume Examples
If you’re unsure how to format your film resume, these resources provide sample templates and requirements:
DGC BC Member Database: Searchable by department, from Production Assistant to Director.
Your portfolio or showreel is the visual complement to your resume: it shows, rather than tells, what you can do. The format and content of your portfolio may depend on the type of role you are applying for, as well as your past experience. For example, if you’re applying for a costuming role, your portfolio can include sketches, final designs, pictures of finished garments, or videos of your garments in use. Keep in mind the specificities of the job and focus on quality, not quantity.
Your application will benefit from including a showreel, where you can collect the work that best demonstrates your skills and abilities. Follow these tips to make it effective:
1. Keep it short
Highlight only your best work. Most recruiters have limited time, so focus on quality over quantity.
2. Focus on the opening
The first few seconds are crucial. Make sure the opening shot, image, or piece of work grabs attention.
3. Think about the audience
Consider who will be viewing your portfolio. It might be a producer, an art director, or a junior staffer. Tailor your content to appeal to them.
4. Check how it looks online
If you’re hosting your work on a portfolio site, check how it displays when the link is opened. Surrounding content can affect first impressions.
5. Ask a friend of a friend for feedback
Show your work to someone unfamiliar with you and ask for their first impressions. This helps identify how your portfolio is perceived by fresh eyes.
6. Keep it up to date
Broken or outdated links frustrate employers. Regularly update your showreel or portfolio with your latest work.
Final Takeaway
Your resume and portfolio are essential components when applying for a role in the film industry. Keep them professional, clear, and relevant to your film career goals. Updating them regularly and tailoring them to each opportunity will help you stand out in a competitive field.
When it comes to bringing a film to life, editing is one of the most powerful tools in the storytelling process. More than just cutting footage together, it shapes pacing, emotional impact, and narrative clarity. From choosing the perfect take of an actor’s performance to integrating visual effects and music, the Editing Department determines how audiences experience the story on screen.
The Editing Department
The Editing Department is responsible for assembling all visual elements recorded on set and created in post-production into a polished final product. While most of their work happens after filming, editors and their teams may also work on-set to log and organize footage as it is captured.
Once shooting wraps, the Editing Department works on creating a rough assembly, refining it into a Director’s cut, and then achieving the final cut, also known as “picture lock.” Alongside the Effects team, they integrate visual effects, animation, and color correction, ensuring the finished project matches the creative vision. Their work requires both artistry and technical expertise, as well as strong communication and problem-solving skills to keep post-production on track. Their responsibilities and size of the Editing Department will also depend on the type of project they are working on, as narrative drama, action sequences, reality television, or animation, will have a variety of different needs.
While the Editing Department also interacts closely with sound, the specifics of sound editing roles will be covered in a future post about the Sound Department.
Key Roles in the Editing Department
Supervising Editor
The Supervising Editor oversees the editorial process for a project, ensuring all aspects of editing, from picture assembly to collaboration with visual effects and color departments, run smoothly.
Editor
The Editor is in charge of assembling raw footage into a cohesive narrative. They:
Analyze each shot, often reviewing hundreds of hours of footage.
Work closely with the Director during pre-production to plan the approach to storytelling.
Refine rough assemblies into a Director’s cut and ultimately the final cut.
Oversee the integration of music, sound, and visual effects into the picture.
In animation, Editors play a more planning-focused role, since scenes are fully pre-designed. In live-action, Editors choose among existing takes to craft the story.
Colourist
Colourists define the visual palette of the film, working with the Director and Director of Photography to create the intended mood. Their responsibilities include:
Matching shots to maintain consistent color, saturation, and luminance.
Stylizing images through grading to support the story’s emotional tone.
Offering creative solutions for picture problems, such as under- or over-exposed images or day-for-night corrections.
Assistant Editor
Assistant Editors keep post-production running smoothly, handling organizational and technical tasks so the Editor can focus on storytelling. Their duties include:
Importing, organizing, and naming footage for easy access by the Editor.
Adding metadata to make shots searchable.
Coordinating with camera, sound, and Digital Imaging Technician departments.
Conforming and transferring files to the sound team once the picture is locked.
On larger productions, there may be multiple Assistant Editors, while smaller projects often have a single assistant supporting the Editor.
Why It Matters
Editing is one of the most critical components of filmmaking. It transforms raw footage into a cohesive story, shaping pacing, tension, and emotional resonance. The Editing Department brings the Director’s vision to life, ensuring every scene, shot, and effect serves the story while maintaining clarity and flow.
From the quiet intimacy of a dramatic close-up to the kinetic energy of a high-stakes chase, their work ensures audiences experience the story exactly as intended. By putting together all necessary pieces, editors create the final cinematic world that viewers see on screen.
Stories matter. Who tells them and makes them matters just as much. Beyond entertainment, storytelling deepens our sense of self, influences our sense of belonging, shapes how we relate to others, and encourages us to explore and embrace difference.
This is why what is in front of the camera and who is behind it is so important. Discrimination and exclusion, past and present, have led to a lack of participation by people from systemically excluded groups. Due to this, the stories we tell and the way we tell them have often reflected only a narrow slice of human experience. Inclusive teams create richer, more authentic storytelling.
In an ideal world, all people would be able to participate equally in society, but the reality is that not everyone has equal access to resources, opportunities, or benefits. People continue to experience racism, sexism, ableism, homophobia, and other forms of systemic discrimination that perpetuate exclusion. These inequities are the result of societal and historic patterns that we all have a responsibility to address.
Equity in action
Equity work requires action. Systems, environments, and opportunities must be created in order to actively remove barriers and redistribute access.
Storytelling has the power to shape individual and collective beliefs — including our biases. It can challenge stereotypes, open new perspectives, and create space for underrepresented voices to be heard and seen.
When production teams reflect the diversity of the world we live in, the stories that emerge are more authentic, more resonant, and more innovative. Inclusive teams:
Capture a broader range of lived experiences.
Offer perspectives that audiences may not have encountered before.
Create work that feels more real, relatable, and impactful.
Challenge harmful stereotypes.
A few principles for building an inclusive production team
Inclusive Hiring Practices
Seek out candidates through networks and directories that reach underrepresented communities.
Partner with community organizations, training programs, and schools that support emerging talent from systemically excluded groups.
Ensure job postings use inclusive, bias-free language and clearly outline accessibility accommodations.
Build interview panels that reflect diversity in gender, race, and lived experience.
Prioritize ongoing education
Offer training on unconscious bias, equity, and cultural competency for all levels of production, from leadership to crew.
Integrate learning into the workflow rather than treating it as a one-time event.
Create equitable on-set environments
Establish clear expectations for respectful behaviour, with zero tolerance for discrimination or harassment.
Provide channels for crew to report concerns safely and confidentially.
Ensure all crew members have equal access to information, decision-making opportunities, and mentorship.
Provide fair pay and transparent contracts.
Make sure sets are physically accessible for cast and crew and provide workarounds where needed.
Respect cultural and religious needs (e.g., prayer breaks, dietary requirements).
Encourage a culture where people feel safe speaking up and where feedback is acted upon promptly.
An inclusive production helps shape the culture we live in. By bringing diverse perspectives behind the camera, we create space for stories that challenge us, inspire us, and reflect the full complexity of human experience. The work is ongoing and every action counts.
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