Overview of the role
The chargehand stagehand works as part of the stagehands team. They work with the head of department (HOD) stagehand and the supervising stagehand on the day-to-day scheduling of works, liaising with the construction manager to ensure that the correct backdrops and sets are prepared, set and fixed in place for filming. They then assist in the strike and wrap of the set once filming is completed. The chargehand stagehand will also oversee the stagehands and stagehand labourers, acting as direct link between crew and management.
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 carpenter to set up work benches and required machinery, extraction units and PPE. - Set up the wood mill, if required.
- Check walkways / fire lanes are not obstructed.
- Ensure set layout area is clear for building.
- Arrange and check the workshop on and by the set, ensuring that required tools 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, keeping areas clean and tidy, especially external areas. - Control waste management and recycling of materials, making sure dustbins and tipper skips are distributed, as well as brooms / scoops and wet sawdust, to keep the dust from floating in the air.
- Store set piece deliveries in a designated area of the stage, away from outline of set build.
- Take delivery of scenic backings or drapes to be hung in the stage as per drawings.
- Position windbag backings as necessary.
- Record all deliveries, paying attention to any pack strikes on conclusion of filming.
- Maintain records of plant hire within the stage, logging fleet numbers and checking machines are fully charged for use at the start of a working day.
- At the end of a set build, confirm the stage is clear of any construction materials, tools or plant, and is ready to hand over to the shooting crew.
- Oversee clearing of the stage and sweeping through the floor space and gantries for hand back to the studio.
- Report any defects that may have occurred whilst occupying the work area.
- Identify specialist tools and powered equipment for the work activity.
- Complete pre-start inspections and performance checks and operating tools as per the manufacturers’ instructions and safety regulations.
- Report any defects to a HOD or supervisor.
- Take all necessary action to avoid accidents and damage to property and personnel whilst in operation.
- Liaise with the practical electrician for power tools and battery chargeable tools to be PAT tested every 6-12 months to maintain electrical safety.
- Use safe handling techniques for tools and powered equipment.
- Ensure all tools and powered equipment are stored safely, and that no charging of lithium or harmful batteries in stages or workshops takes place outside of working hours.
- Check ventilation requirements and use of personal protective equipment (PPE).
- Use personal protective equipment (PPE) equipment as required in line with health and safety requirements.
- Obtain a hot works permit when using flame torch guns.
- Interpret the documentation to check if plant or machinery operations are required for the work to be carried out.
- Work with other departments and supervisors to ensure a correct sequence of events and that they are conducted safely.
- Identify risks and hazards, and procedures for dealing with these, within a given timescale and deadline.
- Confirm the location and dimensions of the stage and, if a water tank is built into the floor, ensuring that crew are aware this needs to be avoided with heavy machinery.
- Check and confirm that actions have been taken to make a set safe where it contains a water tank and that information regarding this is communicated.
- Confirm the size and function of the items to be moved and identify the correct form of transport and its availability.
- Manoeuvre set piece items on trailers, avoiding hazards such as cables, workstations, other set pieces, crew or pedestrians.
- Ensure trailers are attached securely to towing plant or vehicles.
- Position workstations and powered equipment according to access, power and ventilation needs and be aware of emergency exits.
- Unload deliveries using appropriate handling techniques and machinery in accordance with health and safety regulations.
- Follow special instructions on set pieces to be retained as per set strike notice.
- Use appropriate tools and equipment to aid removal of set pieces.
- Dispose of waste during set strike in accordance with regulations and the production sustainability policies and processes.
- Interpret the documentation requiring plant or machinery operations and the work to be carried out.
- Identify and plan the work with the stagehand supervisor or HOD stagehand, checking and agreeing the sequence of work activity with other departments.
- Check ground conditions are suitable for the safe operation of plant or equipment.
- Prepare, position and secure equipment for the work according to manufacturers’ instructions and health and safety procedures, including provision and use of work equipment regulations (PUWER) and lifting operations and lifting equipment regulations (LOLER).
- Comply with organisational procedures to minimise damage to the work and surrounding area.
- Shut down plant and machinery safely and leave in a secure position for the next operator.
- Check the planned schedule for the sequence of work to be undertaken.
- Confirm and agree that the rigging has been erected to the required standard and weight limit to hold the set backing.
- Keep the work areas free from dirt and dust, and the backings covered with craft paper or polythene sheeting.
- Ensure the backing is handled dirt- and dust free, and hung in line with drawing layouts from the art department.
- Use the correct tying techniques, tensioning out any creases.
- Operate and place machinery to access rigging and secure drapes to the framework.
- Work with VFX to position blue or green screens as required.
- Interpret specifications for a specialised finish.
- Identify tools and equipment required to produce the specialised finish.
- Select materials and lay these to create the desired coverings, in line with plans and specifications.
- Create wood effects and finishes as directed, using brushing and burning to the required depth and patina.
- Use specialist techniques to create the required finishes.
- Select the appropriate covering for windbags, such as cotton duck or hessian.
- Cover windbag frames to specifications using correct fixing methods to complete the overall effect.
- 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 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 themselves 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 the 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 deliver 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 stagehand.
- Interpret stage and workshop requirements.
- Liaise with the HOD stagehand or supervising stagehand on day-to-day scheduling.
- Train stagehand labourers 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 set decoration team, grips, construction, props, 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 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.