STUDIO 13 - Crew positions
Each character, as well as being a mystical being of profound supernatural power and a paid actor, must work on the set of the other TV shows and films as a member of the production crew. Actors also get called in to do appearances as extras and special guest stars in other shows.
Where possible, Studio 13 makes good use of supernatural effects; shooting vampires with live ammunition is cheaper than using squibs. Witchcraft illusions are easier and faster than CGI on a green screen. But even so, you need someone to keep the boom mike out of shot, and someone to run the cameras and mix the sound. You do also need to be able to do it the mundane way, in case of mundane guest stars, on-set press or filming in front of a live audience.
Characters automatically have the skills associated with the relevant crew position at character creation. If multiple characters apply for the same possition, the GMs will determine if the studio needs more than one and will decide which one gets the job, or if both do. If you need to change positions, then you keep the old skills, but need to learn new ones, which will take time and XP. Apart from these specialised positions, everyone gets called in to paint sets, build facades and organise bake sales every now and then.
These are the sorts of crew positions available. They are not exhaustive - if you think of a cool position not listed below, please contact your GM:
| Position | Description |
|---|---|
| Accountant | Tracks funds, spending and budget for the work. PCs with this role can approve spending for the shows, normally up to $2000 per game. |
| Armourer | Handles weapons on set, and is responsible for their safe use and return. PCs with this role are responsible for all requests for weapon props. They also tend to have a weapon on hand at any given moment. |
| Wardrobe | Handles costumes and armour on set, and is responsible for their safe use and return. PCs with this role are responsible for all requests for costume props and are excellent in creating disguises involving clothing. |
| Prop hand | Handles any prop which is not a weapon, costumes or armour, and is responsible for their safe use and return. PCs with this role are responsible for all requests for those props. They also tend to have a prop on hand at any given moment. |
| Camera Operator | Is responsible for operating the cameras on set and in location. A PC with this role can make the other actors look better or worse (+1 or -1 to their Romance). |
| Creditor | Adds titles and credits to the work. A PC with this role determines who gets top billing in the credits, which affects how much fame they get. |
| Make-up Artist | Does the makeup and hair of the other actors. A PC with this role can disguise other characters. |
| Web manager | Writes and updates the websites for the studio. A PC with this role is an expert hacker. |
| Carpenter | Handles framework for sets and making set furniture. A PC with this role is an expert woodworker. |
| Electrician | Handles power and electricity on the set. A PC with this role is an expert electrician. |
| Photographer | Takes photos for production and publicity. A PC with this role is an expert photographer. |
| Music Composer | Composes music and lyrics for the shows and films. A PC with this role is an expert musical composer, and normally a reasonable performer, and can make an actor look more or less menacing (+1 or -1 to their Horror) |
| Music Performer | Plays musical instruments for the shows and films. A PC with this role is an expert musician and reasonable at composing music and singing. |
| Music Singer | Sings for the shows and films. A PC with this role is an expert singer and reasonable at composing lyrics and playing an instrument. |
| Cartoonist | Draws animation for the work. Normally prefers to be called an Animator. A PC with this role is an expert sketch artist. |
| Choreographer | Choreographs dances and movements for the work. A PC with this role is an expert dancer and gets a bonus to dodge. |
| Stunts | Is responsible for doing stunts safely on set and in location. Knowing how to fall or crash properly means the PC takes less damage in these kinds of situations. |
| Lighting Operator / Gaffer | Is responsible for operating the lights on set and in location. Similar to the camera operator, a PC with this role can make an actor look lighter or darker (+1 or -1 to their Crime) |
| Editor | It takes an incredible eye for detail to be able to edit film together without losing continuity. A PC with this role gains a bonus to any 'Spot' or 'Investigate' skill |
| Producer | The Producer is the 'Big Picture Person' on any project - the one with all the information from all the sources about everything that is going on. A PC with this role has 'Contacts' within the industry and always has the latest gossip. |
| Sound Effects | Is responsible for all gadgets and special effects on stage, including the machine that goes 'ping'. A PC with this role can make an actor look more or less technologically adept (+1 or -1 to their SciFi) |
| Stage Manager | Is responsible for the placement of all the objects and cast on a stage, and keeping lines of movement and communication between actors open and clear during a shoot. A PC with this role can make an actor look more or less physically capable as they move about a scene (+1 or -1 to their Action) |
| Director | The Director needs to be able to make sometimes intransigent actors actually do what they are supposed to on set. A PC with this role gets a bonus to any action that requires them to convince another party to do something. |
The studio owners, company directors and board executives are NPCs, as are the mysterious Writers.