Overview of the role
The chargehand plasterer works as part of the plasterers team. They work with the head of department (HOD) plasterer and the supervising plasterer on the day-to-day scheduling of works, liaising with the construction manager to ensure that the specialist moulded items and plaster finishes on sets are prepared, set and fixed in place for filming. They will usually be in charge of a set or a stage. The chargehand plasterer will also oversee the plasterers and plastering apprentices or trainees making the sets, acting as a direct link between crew and management.
Download the PDF version of this skills checklist: Chargehand plasterer skills checklist.
Core responsibilities
These core responsibilities are provided as a guide and are not exhaustive. The exact responsibilities in a particular job will vary depending on the scale / budget band / genre of the production.
- Interpret stage and workshop set up requirements
- Collaborate with the supervising plasterer to set up work areas and required equipment, materials, and personal protective equipment (PPE)
- Arrange and check the workshop on and by the set, ensuring that required materials and equipment are ready and available for easy use
- Agree procedures for checking and communicating information with colleagues, including accidents or emergencies, identifying obstructions, and environmental considerations
- Manage deliveries of materials, restocking when necessary to avoid disruption to works deadlines
- Manage housekeeping duties, ensuring areas, especially external areas, are kept clean and tidy
- Control waste management and disposal of materials and hazardous chemicals
- Confirm the stage is clear of any materials and equipment at the end of a set build, ready to hand over to the shooting crew
- Communicate the details of the design brief and agreed schedule with team
- Identify specialist tools and equipment for the work activity
- Use personal protective equipment (PPE) equipment as required, in line with health and safety requirements
- Assist plasterers with marking out and checking surface levels
- Supporting the supervising plasterer to be the first point of contact for the plastering team with other departments, such as carpentry
- Liaise with labourers to make sure the stages are clean and tidy, and chemical materials are disposed of in line with health and safety requirements
- Check and confirm work is carried out in line with the schedule and timescales provided
- Liaise with HOD regarding drawings and pass on information to the crew
- Interpret the documentation to confirm the materials and components required for the work to be carried out
- Source the materials required to complete the complex mouldings
- Set out and produce casting moulds with intricate designs to meet production requirements
- Check that all members of the team understand the requirements and specific activities they are responsible for
- Monitor team performance to ensure that requirements are being met
- Provide individuals with the opportunity to contribute to their own personal development
- Devise a work plan with junior colleagues that will enable them to carry out the desired work
- Provide advice and guidance as appropriate to enable work to be completed
- Keep up to date with health and safety policies and procedures for the production
- Identify production working practices and aspects which may harm them or others
- Consult with production’s health and safety advisor(s) to confirm they have covered all potential risks
- Check with the location risk assessor for anything which might be a risk or hazard to their team working onsite
- Confirm that risk assessments for the work of their team have been undertaken and their team complies with health and safety legislation and procedures
- Update and maintain health and safety information relating to their team
- Ensure they know who the relevant person to report accidents or near misses to is, and how they would need to receive the report (for example, in person or via email)
- Consider working hours for their team and ensure nobody is working longer hours than deemed safe
- Work in compliance with health and safety legislation, regulations, and protocols at all times
- Report any dangerous behaviours immediately
Skills
Check out role specific skills, transferable skills and attributes for the role of chargehand plasterer.
- Interpret stage and workshop requirements
- Liaise with the HOD plasterer or supervising plasterer on day-to-day scheduling
- Train plastering trainees and apprentices to enable them to gain knowledge and experience of the work
- Communication: building rapport and interpreting other’s requirements and communicating requirements to other departments and colleagues
- Team-working: collaboration within own and with other departments, liaising with the wider construction team, props, set decoration, lighting, VFX and camera teams
- Problem-solving: contingency planning and ability to resolve issues while shooting so that productions remain on schedule
- Resilience and enthusiasm: adapt positively and quickly to changing work priorities and patterns, ensuring deadlines continue to be met. Proactive and explores new ideas and non-standard ways of working which will enhance and deliver the best results for the production
- Productivity: organises work effectively and achieves required results within deadlines. Demonstrates the drive and energy to get things done in pressurised situations and escalates appropriately when necessary
- Ethics and integrity: honest and principled in all of their actions and interactions. Respectful and inclusive of others, and meets the ethical requirements of their profession
- Flexibility: willing to both listen and learn and to accept changing priorities and working requirements and has the flexibility to maintain high standards in a changing production environment