Below are several ways to be directly involved with PVP; however, you do not need to apply for crew or submit a screenplay to be a member of the club. Join our mailing list and check out our community page to find out about upcoming workshops and events.
Thank you to everyone who applied for a role this semester!
If you would like to serve on the production of a PVP film, apply for one (or multiple) of the many available crew positions. Even if you are not granted the specific role you requested, all applicants will be offered the role of production assistant and be able to gain valuable on-set experience.
While some roles require prior experience, such as cinematographer and director, others can be filled by novices as long as sufficient enthusiasm and passion are expressed.
Advanced | Prior Experience recommended, most time intensive
Director - Responsible for developing the creative vision for the film. Heavily involved in all aspects of the production. Work with crew members to communicate a formal vision; work with actors to develop performances.
Director of Photography (DP) - Develop visual style of the film, storyboard or create shot list before production begins, operate camera and lighting equipment. Supervise colorist in post-production to ensure visual language is properly represented.
Editor - Communicate with Director and DP about footage and editing goals, responsible for the brunt of post-production work, and utilize advanced editing software (e.g. Final Cut, Adobe Premiere, DaVinci Resolve, etc.) to assemble footage and send assets between the post-production team.
Colorist - Roughly color grade dailies (unedited footage) immediately after shooting and develop a polished grade for the final film in post-production. Requires a working knowledge of color management workflows in DaVinci Resolve.
Sound Designer - Work closely with editing team to create clean audio in post-production and be responsible for editing foley and sound effects, adjusting dialogue recordings, and finalizing all audio tracks, including music, to adhere to standard volume levels.
Intermediate | Some prior experience beneficial, moderately time intensive
Assistant Director (AD) - Work to assure production is on time and on schedule, liaise between Director and crew, and attend to all needs of actors while on set
1st Assistant Camera (AC) - Assist DP in rigging, moving, and breaking down camera and lighting equipment; focuses camera wirelessly while shooting.
Gaffer - Set up lighting for scenes to help establish the film’s visual language
Boom Operator - Record sound on set, positioning boom mic in optimal place for recording audio
Composer - Utilize deep understanding of music composition/theory to craft an appropriate score for the film
Graphic Designer - Create much of the film's promotional material including the poster; may design credits or the film's title
Casting Director - Work with the director to cast appropriate actors for the story, organize and run auditions
Composer - Communicate with the director to design a score which matches the tone and theme of the film. Work closely with the editor to align the score to the edited picture and compose the score using a DAW (optionally, work with musicians to record tracks live).
Entry-Level | No prior experience necessary, least time-intensive
2nd Assistant Camera (Clapper) - Operates the clapper board at the start of each take
Grip - Assist gaffer in setting up lighting
Location Manager - Communicate with director to find appropriate location for each scene. Confirm access to these locations with relevant parties and coordinate logistics such as parking, power, etc.
Production Designer - Work closely with Director and DP to establish the film's aesthetic, create the physical world in which the film is set, manage prop selection, and set up locations prior to shoot
Script Supervisor - Take notes during production to ensure continuity while filming and alert crew to inconsistencies or production flaws
Set Photographer - Take photos on set that can be used to promote the film and club on social media/posters, etc.
Set Videographer - Take videos on set that can be used to promote the film and club on social media, edit a behind the scenes video once the film has wrapped production.
Production Assistant - Provide extra support in all areas of production such as lighting, camera, sound, and production design (a great way to learn the ropes on set)
Flightless Birds by Kathryn Cloonan has been selected for PVP's Spring '25 production!
Feel free to browse our guidelines below to prepare for the next cycle of submissions.
Click here for Important details and guidelines to follow.
Auditions for PVP films will be held after a director has been chosen. Keep an eye out for an announcement shortly after crew applications close.
Producers aim to get as many people as possible involved on any given production. As a result, it is unlikely that you will serve in multiple positions unless qualified applications are lacking for specific roles.
No, PVP sources all its equipment from the studio art department at Williams and from involved crew members. That being said, if you apply for the role of cinematographer, for example, it will be expected that you are highly proficient in operating a cinema camera. Sound recording and lighting, for example, are skills more easily learned, so it would be reasonable to apply having never used the specific equipment. Check here for a list of some commonly used pieces of equipment.
This depends on the role. Positions like director and cinematographer should expect to meet multiple times per week during pre-production through post, while the casting director, for example, should expect their work to be concentrated in a week-ish long period. Production days are concentrated in weekends, typically for long hours. Post-production work is largely asynchronous, spread over 2-3 weeks. Producers will attempt to account for high-stress times in the semester when considering scheduling but nevertheless, PVP productions are typically a large time commitment.
Yes, on shoot days with off campus locations, vans will transport crew and equipment to set. If you have your own car and would like to drive, that is usually okay, but sometimes parking will be limited.
On shoot days that cover typical meal times, food will be provided. Your are encouraged to bring water and snacks.
No. PVP films are student productions and crew members and actors will not be compensated.