Figuring out who does what?

[Azmyth]

I'm shooting a feature length horror film. We start casting in December, and have garnered alot of interest locally. We are doing the film on a shoestring budget. We have nearly everything we need to begin shooting in late January early February. I wrote the screenplay, and have done literally everything involving the production including website design, promotions, contacting location owners, news/media publicity, casting, equipment, and I'm now storyboarding the script. Initially I dubbed myself as the director, because at the time.. I was the only one. Now I have a team, that consists of me, another associate who graduated from SCAD and has experience of pretty much all the aspects behind the camera, including directing which I have 0 of. He's volunteered to run the camera, and help with pretty much anything needed behind the scenes.. to include directing the actors. He's also going to be helping with lighting, since he has experience in this area as well. I also have an audio engineer who will monitor sound and run the boom, and a special effects team.

My initial intentions for this project was because the closest place to do anything like this is in Atl, a good 3 hr drive for me. Due to the economy and my creative and DIY nature. I didn't want to just settle for being a extra on hollywood productions, and Its not feasible for me to drive to ATL to do any indie work right now. So I figured I'd bring it to myself.

Its been a fun ride so far. Everything is on track and on schedule. But, because of the nature of the project (people doing more than one job) Its touch to figure out what title's everyone actually has.. for crediting purposes.

I'm going to be acting in the film, as well as still doing all the other things I mentioned. I won't so much be directing, but I will have input on the scenes and such since it is my project and screenplay. Our DP, who has directing experience is going to be doing most of the directing, and he asked me today if he would be "directing" as his main job role. I'm not sure how I should list us in the credits. I'm thinking I would technically be the producer/writer behind the camera, with him being director/cinematographer. I would probably consider myself codirecting as well since I will have input on the final shots.

I'm not sure how to go about it, to make sure everyone gets their just credits and props.

 

[Brooksy]

I think the credits should be the least of your worries right now. Have you started blocking out each shot? Who is doing concept design? Who is your gaffer, grips, PA, and more importantly who is going to be your AD (This is key)? You need to do more pre-production work also. Go to each and every location with your DP and gaffer. Take lots of pictures, talk over each and every angle. Figure out the mood and feel for each shot so you can start figuring out the lighting and design for each setup. Also you need to pick a single director. If there are too many cooks in the kitchen that isn't going to help it is only going to hinder. Picking everyones title isn't as important as telling everyone their specific job and then having the AD make sure they are sticking to it.

I think the next step for you should be to finish storyboarding. Then once that is done get your crew together and go to each and every location and figure out sound, lighting, mood, feel, blocking, camera angles, camera moves. Once that is all done cast your film, then go through rehearsals. Then schedule, etc., etc. This is going to help make your film a success. Good luck.