Find Your Ideal Crew: The Crew Allocation Tool

Ideally, everyone wants to hire the very best crew for their productions. However, student productions often don’t have that luxury. It’s common to hire crew members based on a single recommendation from a friend or even a classmate you’re not very close with, often without significant knowledge of their experience or portfolio. For student and low-budget productions generally, it’s typically straightforward to source about 70% of your crew, such as camera operators, producers, and editors. However, the final 30% can pose significant challenges. This 30% includes positions that people are less eager to fill, especially since they are unpaid or offer very low pay. These roles often include production assistants, grips, and sound recordists.

While it’s difficult to staff these positions, it’s crucial to have experienced individuals in these roles if you want your project to succeed. Let’s explore why it’s so challenging to find both enough crew members and the right fit for student productions, as well as the tools you can use to improve the hiring process. Too many student productions suffer from poor sound, largely because there are so few experienced sound recordists on campuses and in the industry in general. It’s worth discussing why sound has become a low priority on sets and how this needs to change.

The Usual Path to Assembling a Student Crew

As mentioned, finding the core crew for your productions is typically easy because people are very willing to take on these positions. It’s not only about roles that have more recognition and priority; it’s also about simply knowing enough people to staff a crew. It’s your first year in film school, and you want to direct your first film— yay! But you know about 10 people, and 5 of them are already on another set during your shooting dates, while 2 aren’t even film majors. Now you’re left with just 3. Although great student films have been made by micro crews like this, you’re in film school now, and you’ve been dreaming of collaborating with many like-minded individuals. How do you find your crew? You try posting on Instagram, and one person is available and willing. Great! But how else can you find people?

Or, you’re a senior filming your thesis next weekend, and your gaffer has bailed at the last minute. You know most of the people in your school’s program by this point, but everyone you know is already committed to another crew that weekend. Like the freshman, you’ll post on Instagram, but who’s to say someone will respond or that they’ll be qualified?

Being in film school, your network is limited, and you either have no budget or just enough to afford locations, let alone pay crew members. Unfortunately, student filmmakers are constantly compromising— whether it’s on equipment or locations— due to lack of funds and resources. While filmmakers can achieve a lot with little, compromising on the right crew is a risky move. There are countless young, qualified filmmakers either at your school or in your local area that you simply haven’t met yet. Auteurnet is here to help you expand your network and find crew that perfectly fits your production’s needs. You just haven’t met them yet.

The New Path to Building a Successful Crew and Film: Crew Allocation Tool (CAT) 

At our core, Auteurnet is a response to the needs of young filmmakers, and we are dedicated to helping them grow their community and network. Our goal is to make it easier to find like-minded peers and to simplify the search for opportunities. This marks the launch of our production management resource, the Crew Allocation Tool (CAT). Gone are the days of knowing only filmmakers in your limited community, hiring incompatible crew, or having a producer also serve as a PA on set. With the CAT, you input your cast and crew requirements and receive tailored recommendations for crew based on the users available in your area. Let’s walk through how to use this game changing tool, step by step.

1. Fill Out the Crew Questionnaire

Complete the brief survey to get matched with potential crew members. It will only take 2-3 minutes to complete. By taking just a few moments to share this information, you’ll set the groundwork for an effective matching process, ensuring you find the right people to help bring your vision to life. You’ll provide the following information:

• Where your production is located

• Positions you are hiring

• Student production (If yes, what school)

• Languages crew must speak

• Genre(s) of the your production

2. Review CAT Results

After completing the survey, the CAT will provide you with a curated list of recommended potential crew members tailored to your production’s specific requirements and logistics. This page is designed to give you a comprehensive overview, displaying each person’s roles, location, and, based on their experience, their compatibility with your project. Compatibility is assessed not only by their designated roles and geographic proximity but also by a range of other factors, including their skill sets, past work experiences, and any relevant recommendations.

3. Review Profiles

To facilitate your decision-making process, you can click on their profiles directly from this page to delve deeper into their backgrounds, showcasing their portfolios, previous projects, and any additional information that may help you determine if they are the right fit for your crew. By reviewing the CAT results thoroughly, you can ensure that you assemble a team that not only meets your logistical needs but also aligns with your creative vision, setting the stage for a successful production.

4. Message Potential Crew Members

Now it’s time to start building your crew! This is the exciting part— reach out to potential team members directly and make those connections. Schedule a meeting to discuss your production and lay the groundwork for collaboration. If you’re pressed for time, don’t hesitate to ask about their availability right away; getting this sorted early can help streamline the process.

During your conversation, take the opportunity to share your vision for the project. This not only helps gauge their interest but also allows you to explore how their unique skills and experiences align with your needs. This initial discussion can set a positive tone for a collaborative and productive working relationship, so be open, enthusiastic, and ready to listen. You never know— this could be the beginning of a fantastic creative partnership that brings your project to life!

There are challenges abound when it comes to making student productions, but Auteurnet is here to assist in the problem of finding the right crew for your specific production. If you have the right crew, many of the challenges don’t matter in the long run. The Crew Allocation Tool simplifies the ordeal that is hiring and connects you with a diverse pool of talented individuals you may not have encountered otherwise. 

Discover new talent. Build a strong crew. Make career-long connections. Learn more about Auteurnet and how we can help you build your creative community.