A film director marshals the artistic goals of actors, technicians and producers. Directors conceive camera angles and shots, direct the actors' performances and give shape to the film's tone and plot. On most sets, directors would discuss these issues with cinematographers and production designers, though some directors such as Werner Herzog and the Coen brothers perform cinematography duties themselves. French theorist and filmmaker Francois Truffant proposed that some great directors, such as Alfred Hitchcock and Howard Hawks, were "auteurs," suggesting that entire films reflected the singular creative vision of the director, rather than the incorporated visions of writers, actors and technicians.
The producer supervises the film's technical conditions. She often oversees the writing or revising of the screenplay, contracts the director and technical staff, raises funds for the production and then secures distribution, once the film is completed. Because the producer is attached to the film from start to finish and is largely responsible for the film's achievements, when the film wins major awards such as the Best Picture Oscar, the producer is given the award.
A production designer is responsible for the film's visual aesthetics. He is the supervisor of the lighting department, the costumers, make-up artists and set-builders and the management of props. Though many of the creative decisions are made with the producer and the director, the production designer is given the opportunity to craft a personal vision within the film.
Though in larger productions the sound mixer and lighting technician are two distinct positions, many trained in technical movie production are capable in both fields and are required to double on small movie productions. Sound mixers are responsible for capturing the voices and sounds of the film clearly, while lighting technicians are charged with casting a light on the film's actors and sets.
Film editors take the raw footage that directors produce and craft a logical, complete narrative. They work almost exclusively after production is over and are challenged with matching very different camera angles and takes. With contemporary editing programs such as Final Cut Pro and Avid, even casual filmmakers are able to make edited films with a professional veneer.