To manage and oversee the placement and use of decorations on a set, the leadman works under the supervision of an art director, production designer, and/or set decorator.
The leadman’s role on set is crucial, and it necessitates a great deal of collaboration and coordination with the rest of the crew. The film’s concept and overall look are created by the director, who works closely with art directors, production designers, and set decorators to bring the concept to life. The leadman, along with his team of technicians, decorators, and assistants, will then share the set and prop requirements in greater detail with these individuals. The leadman’s primary responsibility is to supervise and manage the crew, as well as to ensure that all set and prop requirements are met.
The nature of the job is determined by the project’s type and scope, as well as the personalities of the individuals involved. While some directors are more hands-on and prefer to make every decision regarding a production’s look, others may completely rely on their art director and production designer to handle the details. Regardless, there will undoubtedly be unexpected and last-minute set changes during filming. This means that a leader must not only act quickly to implement necessary changes, but also maintain a calm demeanor when dealing with problems.
The leadman’s responsibilities include ensuring set and prop continuity from one scene to the next, making last-minute prop replacements, and creating new pieces from scratch when necessary. A good lead actor is dynamic, creative, and collaborates well with his crew to solve problems on set.
Because the job cannot be split into two positions, smaller productions may require set decorators to also act as leadmen. This job can be taxing because the leadman must consider his overall aesthetic appearance while also dealing with day-to-day issues.
Those who remain calm under pressure, are trustworthy, and helpful make excellent leadmen. Although a degree in film and television or theater is not always required, those with experience in the production process are frequently preferred.