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Every grade on a UK unit, department by department.

Entry grade on the left, head of department on the right. Specialists branch off the grade they sit beside. The same ladders run on every department guide.

How to read itWhere a job has an informal name and a formal grade, both are given: a clapper loader is a 2nd AC; a spark is an electrician.
Specialists aren't stepsA DIT, a rigging gaffer or a colourist is a career of its own, shown beside the grade it works with, not as a rung above it.
Day to day ScreenSkills job profiles say what each grade does on a shoot.
What it paysEach department links its Bectu rate card. We don't copy figures; they change. Grade names read on 8 November 2026.

Production (production office and accounts)

Producers sit above the line producer. Accounts is its own ladder, not the top rung of the office.

Department guide Bectu scripted production card, 2026–27

Production office

  1. Entry grade Runner Errands, deliveries, phones, printing, the office kitchen.Read the role
  2. Step 2 Production assistantAlso: PA; often shares the runner's line on the card Paperwork, phones and distribution in the office.Read the role
  3. Step 3 Production secretary Scripts, schedules, crew lists and the office diary out on time.
  4. Step 4 Assistant production coordinatorAlso: APOC Travel, hotels, kit orders, the back page of the call sheet.
  5. Step 5 Production coordinator Runs the office: crew, suppliers, movement, distribution.Read the role
  6. Step 6 Production supervisor The production manager's deputy on larger shows.
  7. Step 7 Production manager The schedule, the budget, crew deals and safety on the unit.Read the role
  8. Top of the ladder Line producer Delivers the production on budget and to schedule.Read the role

Specialists branch off the ladder at the grade shown; they aren't steps on it

  • Travel coordinatorbeside Assistant production coordinator
  • Producer's or director's assistantbeside Production secretary

Production accounts

Parallel ladder
  1. Entry grade Accounts trainee Filing, data entry, petty cash floats and receipts.
  2. Step 2 Assistant accountant Purchase orders, invoices, petty cash and supplier payments.
  3. Step 3 First assistant accountant Runs the ledgers and the weekly cost report for the accountant.
  4. Step 4 Production accountant Runs the accounts team, the cost report and payroll.Read the role
  5. Top of the ladder Financial controller Oversees the money across a large show or a slate (common practice).

Assistant directors

Some ADs later move into directing, but that isn't the purpose of the job.

Department guide Bectu ADs' card, May 2026

Assistant directors

  1. Entry grade AD traineeAlso: floor runner Radios, batteries, lock-ups, cast escorts, tea for the floor.
  2. Step 2 3rd AD Runs the floor for the 1st: background, lock-ups, cast to set.Read the role
  3. Step 3 Floor 2nd AD The 2nd AD's presence on set, linking floor and unit base.
  4. Step 4 2nd ADAlso: key 2nd The call sheet, cast schedules, supporting artists, the next day.Read the role
  5. Top of the ladder 1st AD The schedule, the floor, safety and the calls.Read the role

Specialists branch off the ladder at the grade shown; they aren't steps on it

  • Crowd 3rd ADbeside 3rd AD
  • Crowd 2nd ADbeside 2nd AD
  • Key PAbeside AD trainee

Locations

Unit managers and assistant location managers work side by side: one runs the day, the other finds and secures the places.

Department guide Bectu Locations card, 2026 (rate cards index)

Locations

  1. Entry grade Location marshal Parking, cones, security, guiding crew in.
  2. Step 2 Locations assistantAlso: unit assistant Unit base set-up, signage, facilities, the public, the clean-up.Read the role
  3. Step 3 Assistant location manager Finding and managing locations for the location manager.
  4. Step 4 Location manager Finds, secures and runs every location.Read the role
  5. Top of the ladder Supervising location manager The department head on large productions.

Specialists branch off the ladder at the grade shown; they aren't steps on it

  • Location coordinatorbeside Assistant location manager
  • Location scoutbeside Assistant location manager

Unit base

Parallel ladder
  1. Entry grade Assistant unit manager Unit base on the day: vehicles, power, facilities, marshals.
  2. Top of the ladder Unit manager Runs unit base and the location on the shoot day for the location manager.

Script supervision

The trainee rate sits on the Bectu camera card. The assistant grade only exists on some productions.

Department guide Bectu Camera Branch card, 2025

Script supervision

  1. Entry grade Script supervisor trainee Shadowing, typing up notes, continuity photographs.
  2. Step 2 Assistant script supervisor Notes and continuity on large or multi-camera shows.
  3. Top of the ladder Script supervisor Continuity, the shot record, timing and the editor's notes.Read the role

Camera crew

  1. Entry grade Camera trainee Batteries, media runs, kit cases, the truck, helping the 2nd AC.Read the role
  2. Step 2 Clapper loaderAlso: 2nd AC Slate, camera reports, marks, media, building and moving the camera.Read the role
  3. Step 3 Focus pullerAlso: 1st AC Focus, the camera build and its working order, lens choice with the DoP.Read the role
  4. Step 4 Camera operator Framing and moving the camera to the DoP and director's design.Read the role
  5. Top of the ladder Director of photographyAlso: DoP The look of the film; runs camera, lighting and grip.Read the role

Specialists branch off the ladder at the grade shown; they aren't steps on it

Grip

Bectu's Grips Branch keeps a list of certified grips. The route ScreenSkills describes: trainee, then after two years as a grip the Level 2 Diploma in Professional Competence for Grips, then after two to three more years the Level 3 Diploma for Advanced Grips.

Department guide Bectu Grips Branch card, April 2024 Route in: Junior grip apprenticeship (ST1318)

Grips

  1. Entry grade Trainee grip Carrying, loading, laying track, helping the grip.
  2. Step 2 Grip Building and running rigs, track, dollies and mounts.Read the role
  3. Step 3 A-camera gripAlso: dolly grip; best boy grip Runs the dolly on A camera, in time with the actors; or the best boy's logistics.Read the role
  4. Top of the ladder Key grip Head of department: planning, crew, kit and safety.Read the role

Specialists branch off the ladder at the grade shown; they aren't steps on it

  • Crane gripbeside Grip
  • Rigging gripbeside Grip
  • Crane technicianbeside A-camera grip

Lighting (electrical)

Rigging is a parallel crew that works ahead of the floor crew, not a step between best boy and gaffer.

Department guide Bectu lighting technicians card Route in: Screen Lighting Technician apprenticeship option

Floor crew

  1. Entry grade Lighting trainee Carrying cable and lamps, the truck, learning the kit.
  2. Step 2 ElectricianAlso: spark; lighting technician Rigging, cabling, operating and focusing lamps.Read the role
  3. Step 3 Best boyAlso: chargehand Crew, kit, power distribution and paperwork for the gaffer.Read the role
  4. Top of the ladder Gaffer Head of department: lighting with the DoP, crew and kit.Read the role

Specialists branch off the ladder at the grade shown; they aren't steps on it

  • Desk operatorbeside Electrician
  • Generator operatorbeside Electrician
  • Practical electricianbeside Electrician

Rigging crew

Parallel ladder
  1. Entry grade Rigging electrician Pre-rigs lamps and power ahead of the shooting crew.Read the role
  2. Step 2 Rigging chargehandAlso: rigging best boy Runs the rigging crew's kit and people.
  3. Top of the ladder Rigging gaffer Plans and leads the pre-rig with the gaffer.

Sound (production)

"Sound recordist" is the factual grade name and is common in conversation. Post sound is in Editorial and post.

Department guide Bectu production sound rates, April 2026

Production sound

  1. Entry grade Sound traineeAlso: third assistant sound Cables, batteries, the cart, helping the assistants.
  2. Step 2 Second assistant sound Radio mics, timecode, the second boom, the sound cart.Read the role
  3. Step 3 Boom operatorAlso: first assistant sound The main boom, and the department on the floor.Read the role
  4. Top of the ladder Production sound mixer Recording, mixing and the sound report; head of department.Read the role

Art department, set decoration, props and construction

Props, set decoration, graphics and construction are separate ladders with their own cards. They all answer to the production designer.

Department guide Bectu art department card, 2025–26

Art direction

  1. Entry grade Art department trainee Research, filing, runs, copying drawings.
  2. Step 2 Art department assistant Research packs, references, sourcing samples.Read the role
  3. Step 3 DraughtspersonAlso: set designer; junior first Technical drawings construction can build from.
  4. Step 4 Assistant art director Runs sets or sections for an art director.
  5. Step 5 Art director Delivers sets to the designer's brief, on budget.Read the role
  6. Step 6 Supervising art director Runs the whole department's delivery on a big show.
  7. Top of the ladder Production designer Head of department: the look of every space.Read the role

Specialists branch off the ladder at the grade shown; they aren't steps on it

Set decoration

Parallel ladder
  1. Entry grade Petty cash buyer Buys and returns small dressing items.
  2. Step 2 Buyer Sources and hires dressing and furniture.
  3. Step 3 Assistant set decorator Runs dressing for a set.
  4. Top of the ladder Set decorator Dresses every set to the designer's brief.

Props

Parallel ladder
  1. Entry grade Props trainee Loading, cleaning, the props store.
  2. Step 2 Prop hand Moves and places props and dressing.Read the role
  3. Step 3 Standby propsAlso: dressing or action props On set all day: action props and continuity.
  4. Step 4 Chargehand props Runs a props crew.
  5. Top of the ladder Property master Head of props: every prop, sourced, made and run.

Graphics

Parallel ladder
  1. Entry grade Graphics trainee Prep files, print runs, ageing paper.
  2. Step 2 Assistant graphic designer Signs, labels and documents for sets.
  3. Step 3 Graphic designer All the on-screen graphics for a show.
  4. Top of the ladder Graphic art director Leads graphics on big shows.

Construction

Parallel ladder
  1. Entry grade Construction apprentice Learning a craft in the workshop.
  2. Step 2 Craftsperson Carpenter, painter, plasterer, rigger or metalworker.
  3. Step 3 Chargehand Leads a craft crew.
  4. Step 4 Supervisor Runs a craft across the build.
  5. Top of the ladder Construction manager Builds every set to drawing, on budget.

Costume

The supervisor runs the department; the designer leads it. Designers come up through supervision or through design assisting.

Department guide Bectu Costume film card, November 2025 (rate cards index)

Costume department

  1. Entry grade Costume trainee Laundry, rails, labelling, runs, helping in fittings.Read the role
  2. Step 2 Junior costume assistant Dressing supporting artists, continuity notes, maintenance.
  3. Step 3 Costume assistantAlso: standby costume Dressing principals, standing by on set, the continuity record.Read the role
  4. Step 4 Assistant costume supervisor Running a section: crowd, a truck, a second unit.
  5. Step 5 Costume supervisor Runs the department: budget, crew, schedule, hires, returns.
  6. Top of the ladder Costume designer Head of department: the look of every character.Read the role

Specialists branch off the ladder at the grade shown; they aren't steps on it

  • Costume makerbeside Costume assistant
  • Cutterbeside Costume assistant
  • Breakdown artistbeside Costume assistant
  • Millinerbeside Costume assistant
  • Dyer and textile artistbeside Costume assistant

Design

Parallel ladder
  1. Entry grade Design assistant Research and references for the designer.
  2. Step 2 Assistant costume designer Research, sourcing and fittings for the designer.
  3. Top of the ladder Costume designer Many designers come up this way rather than through supervision.Read the role

Hair and make-up

Common UK practice and ScreenSkills profiles; check names against the Bectu hair, make-up and prosthetics card.

Department guide Bectu hair, make-up and prosthetics card (rate cards index)

Hair and make-up

  1. Entry grade Hair and make-up trainee Kit, the trailer, helping artists, simple looks on crowd.Read the role
  2. Step 2 Junior artist Supporting artists, crowd, assisting on cast.
  3. Step 3 Hair and make-up artist Your own cast in the chair; standing by on set.Read the role
  4. Step 4 Key artistAlso: senior artist; crowd supervisor Lead cast, or running a crowd team.
  5. Step 5 Hair and make-up supervisor Runs the department day to day: crew, schedule, stock.
  6. Top of the ladder Hair and make-up designer Head of department: the look of every character.Read the role

Prosthetics

Parallel ladder
  1. Entry grade Prosthetics technician Moulding, casting and running pieces in the workshop.
  2. Step 2 Prosthetics artist Applies and maintains prosthetics on set.
  3. Top of the ladder Prosthetics designerAlso: prosthetics supervisor Designs and supervises the prosthetic work.

Editorial and post-production

Picture, colour, sound and post management are four disciplines with their own ladders. An editor doesn't become a colourist.

Department guide Post cards (rate cards index)

Picture edit

  1. Entry grade Editorial traineeAlso: post runner Runs, drives, logging, helping assistants.
  2. Step 2 Assistant editor Ingest, sync, bins, turnovers, VFX pulls.Read the role
  3. Step 3 First assistant editor Runs the cutting room and the workflow for the editor.
  4. Step 4 Assembly editor Cuts scenes or episodes under the editor.
  5. Top of the ladder Editor Head of the cutting room; shapes the story with the director.Read the role

Specialists branch off the ladder at the grade shown; they aren't steps on it

  • VFX editorbeside Assistant editor
  • Online editorbeside Assistant colourist

Colour

Parallel ladder
  1. Entry grade Grading assistant Conform prep, renders and deliverables.
  2. Step 2 Assistant colourist Dailies, matching and versions.
  3. Top of the ladder Colourist Grades the picture from dailies look to final master.Read the role

Post sound

Parallel ladder
  1. Entry grade Trainee sound editor Ingest, track lay prep, conform.
  2. Step 2 Assistant sound editor Organises sessions and conforms.
  3. Step 3 Sound editorAlso: dialogue, effects or Foley editor Dialogue, effects or Foley editing.
  4. Step 4 Supervising sound editor Leads the sound team and the track.
  5. Top of the ladder Re-recording mixerAlso: dubbing mixer The final mix: dialogue, effects and music.Read the role

Post management

Parallel ladder
  1. Entry grade Post coordinator Schedules, bookings and deliverables paperwork.
  2. Step 2 Post-production supervisor Runs post from wrap to delivery.
  3. Top of the ladder Post producer Owns the post budget and the delivery.

VFX

Common practice. A junior VFX artist / assistant technical director apprenticeship standard exists in England.

Department guide UK Screen Alliance (trade body)

Artists

  1. Entry grade VFX runner Running, systems, data, helping wherever needed.
  2. Step 2 Junior artistAlso: roto, prep, matchmove Roto, paint, clean-up and camera tracking.Read the role
  3. Step 3 ArtistAlso: compositor, lighter, FX Owning shots in your discipline.Read the role
  4. Step 4 Senior artist The hardest shots; helping juniors.
  5. Step 5 Lead Leading a team in one discipline on a show.
  6. Step 6 Discipline supervisorAlso: CG or compositing supervisor A whole discipline or a facility's work on a show.
  7. Top of the ladder VFX supervisor The creative and technical lead for the effects.Read the role

VFX production

Parallel ladder
  1. Entry grade VFX coordinator Shot tracking, bids and schedules.
  2. Step 2 VFX production manager Runs the schedule and the budget.
  3. Top of the ladder VFX producer Owns the VFX budget and vendors.

On set

Parallel ladder
  1. Entry grade VFX data wrangler Measurements, HDRIs and camera data on set.
  2. Top of the ladder On-set VFX supervisor Makes sure the plates work for the shots.

Special effects (SFX)

Pyrotechnics and explosives need licensed, qualified people.

Department guide Bectu SFX card, 2025 (rate cards index)

Special effects

  1. Entry grade SFX trainee Workshop support, loading, cleaning, atmospherics under supervision.
  2. Step 2 SFX assistant Smoke, rain and wind; helping build rigs.
  3. Step 3 SFX technician Builds and runs effects; workshop fabrication.Read the role
  4. Step 4 Senior technician Complex rigs and effects; leading on the floor.
  5. Step 5 Floor supervisorAlso: lead technician Runs the SFX crew with the unit on the day.
  6. Top of the ladder SFX supervisor Head of department: designs, budgets and answers for every effect.Read the role

Specialists branch off the ladder at the grade shown; they aren't steps on it

  • SFX modellerbeside SFX technician
  • SFX engineerbeside SFX technician
  • Pyrotechnicianbeside Senior technician

Stunts

Entry needs qualifications across set sporting disciplines and a minimum age of 18. Grades as the BSR published them in 2019; check the register for current rules.

Department guide British Stunt Register

British Stunt Register grades

  1. Entry grade Probationary member Stunt work under a BSR-registered coordinator only.Read the role
  2. Step 2 Stunt performer Stunt work, still under a coordinator.
  3. Step 3 Senior stunt performer Can risk-assess and work without a coordinator on some jobs.
  4. Step 4 Key stunt performer Assisting an experienced coordinator on bigger action.
  5. Top of the ladder Full memberAlso: stunt coordinator Can conceive, coordinate and supervise action as stunt coordinator.Read the role

Health, safety and medical

Two separate professions, not one ladder. Both are hired by production and usually come from an existing profession. Not Bectu grades; common practice.

Department guide HSE: theatre, film, TV and broadcasting

Medical

  1. Entry grade First responderAlso: e.g. FREC 3 First aid cover on smaller shoots and crowd days.
  2. Step 2 Unit medicAlso: set medic Medical cover for the unit, call to wrap.Read the role
  3. Top of the ladder Lead medicAlso: medical coordinator Medical cover across a large production.

Health and safety

Parallel ladder
  1. Entry grade Assistant health and safety adviser Inductions, checks and paperwork for an adviser.
  2. Step 2 Health and safety adviser Advises the production on risk and compliance.Read the role
  3. Top of the ladder Production safety managerAlso: senior adviser Safety across a slate or a studio.

Virtual production

The brain bar is the desk where the engine, tracking, media-server and colour operators sit at the volume. Common practice rather than a Bectu card; grades vary by stage and vendor.

Department guide ScreenSkills virtual production competencies

Brain bar

  1. Entry grade Real-time operatorAlso: Unreal operator Runs the engine on the day; live changes to light, sky and set.Read the role
  2. Step 2 Lead operator Leads the brain bar desk.
  3. Top of the ladder VP supervisor Creative and technical lead across prep, stage and post.Read the role

Specialists branch off the ladder at the grade shown; they aren't steps on it

  • Tracking technicianbeside Real-time operator
  • Media server operatorbeside Real-time operator
  • VP colourbeside Real-time operator

Stage

Parallel ladder
  1. Entry grade LED stage technician Builds, checks and repairs the wall.Read the role
  2. Top of the ladder LED lead Runs the wall crew and its processors.

Virtual art department

Parallel ladder
  1. Entry grade VAD artist Builds the 3D worlds in prep with the designer.
  2. Top of the ladder VAD lead Leads the world build.

VP production

Parallel ladder
  1. Entry grade VP coordinator Stage bookings and content delivery dates.
  2. Top of the ladder VP producer VP budget and schedule end to end.

AI tools

Not a department with its own grades. AI tools sit inside editing, sound, VFX, production and development, and the person in that grade signs off the work.

Department guide AI in production: our position

Directing, producing and writing

These are careers rather than grades on a crew card. Start with BFI NETWORK for early-career filmmakers, Directors UK and the Writers' Guild of Great Britain.

Find your department on a working unit.

Our production simulations crew the core departments, and you hold a grade in one of them through prep, shoot and wrap. Training and placements are fully funded; you join as a learner.

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Last reviewed 12 November 2026