The Construction Coordinator
A Construction Coordinator's main goal is
to bring the vision of the
Production Designer to life within the project's budget.
The Construction Coordinator —
who schedules, supervises and coordinates the construction of sets for
motion pictures and television projects — is essentially the equivalent
of a general contractor on the "outside.
" Like a general contractor, the Construction Coordinator estimates
and oversees the building of the sets. The major difference is in what
Coordinators are asked to build, which could be anything from a typical
American household, to a West African jungle, to a 1645 Pilgrim village,
or an intergalactic spacecraft.
Coordinators are also called upon to supervise the construction of furniture
— period, contemporary and futuristic.
An additional construction requirement beyond set building is to adapt
or add onto existing locations (one Construction Coordinator added three
stories of open steel girders to the top of an existing 38-story high-rise
in the middle of downtown Los Angeles — because the production
needed a building which looked as if it were still under construction).
The Construction Coordinator staffs everyone on the Construction Crew,
including Propmakers, Laborers, Plasterers and Painters, and oversees
any Greenswork, Sculpting, Floorcovering, and Modeling (architectural
pieces for the set). The Construction Coordinator handles much of the
paperwork and acts as a liaison between the Production Manager and the
Production Designer on all matters of construction.
A Construction Coordinator's main goal is to bring the vision of the
Production Designer to life within the project's budget. Frequently,
Coordinators are required to engineer the sets to accommodate camera
access, lighting and special effects.
CONSTRUCTION COORDINATOR'S RESPONSIBILITIES
Because of his/her integral role,
the Construction Coordinator is among the first hired production members.
A more detailed outline of the Construction Coordinator's responsibilities
follows:
• Staffs key positions for Construction Department — General
Foreman, Head Painter, Chief Sculptor, Labor Foreman, Toolman, Greensman,
Plasterer — and oversees all work.
• Estimates set construction costs and tracks production costs
throughout the project.
• Finds appropriate building materials.
• Tends to crew safety concerns, and sees that the safety meetings
are scheduled. Verifies that tools are in safe working order, and aren't
missing safety guards. Arranges for standby medics and first-aid personnel
as mandated by safety rules.
• Makes on-set decisions regarding craft responsibilities within
the Construction Department.
• Acquires from Accounting a list of proper tracking numbers for
time cards, purchase orders, and any other budgetary expenditures which
the Accounting Department must follow during the course of production
(sometimes referred to as S.T.N.'s — "studio tracking numbers").
In television, the proper numbers are essential for budgeting considerations.
• Oversees and signs all purchase orders, timecards, check requests
and other paperwork related to the Construction Department.
• Researches and finds needed items as requested by the Production
Designer.
• Rents tools as needed.
• Ensures overall quality of finished product.
STAFFING CONSIDERATIONS
It is particularly difficult
to state any broad generalities for staffing considerations that a Construction
Coordinator may follow. A few words might be spent on the issue of "Features
vs Television vs Commercials." The staffing requirements
are different inasmuch as the Construction Coordinator working in television
generally has a smaller budget and far less time to build than when
he or she is working in features — one television veteran notes
that "it feels like we're shooting an entire feature in seven days."
Commercials may be shot at an even faster pace. To that extent, Coordinators
may add additional crew to fast-track the construction requirements.
DEPARTMENTAL INTERACTION
The Construction Coordinator
maintains regular communication with a number of departments. Discussion
areas may include the following:
(listed in alphabetical order)
Accounting. To receive proper tracking numbers, or STN's (see
"Responsibilities").
Art Director/Production Designer. To confer on all aspects of
the building of the sets: plans, stages, locations and personnel.
Gaffer. To discuss needs such as when set will be available
for lighting.
Key Grip. To schedule needed work crews.
Producers. For a conceptual budgeting meeting to learn the timeframe
for prep, shoot, and wrap.
Property Master. For budgeting and scheduling, as well as for
painting, building/fabricating any required props.
Set Decorator. To discuss when set will be available for dressing.
Special Effects. For budgeting and scheduling, as well as building
and painting needs.
Studio Administrators. To receive approval to proceed with any
construction activity which directly affects the studio infrastructure.
Studio Hospital. To verify that medics are in place for the
production.
Transportation. For vehicle requirements for the show.
Unit Production Manager. For smooth coordination of scheduling
work and shooting teams.
