What This Department Really Does
Transportation is the department nobody thinks about until something goes wrong. And when it goes wrong -- a truck breaks down, a picture car won't start, a permit expires -- the entire production stops.
The Transportation Coordinator is a logistics genius who manages a fleet that would rival a small trucking company: camera trucks, grip trucks, electric trucks, wardrobe trailers, hair & makeup trailers, production office trailers, honey wagons, water trucks, fuel trucks, passenger vans, and picture cars. Every vehicle needs to be in the right place at the right time, fueled, maintained, and legally permitted.
Picture car work is its own specialty. Finding, prepping, and maintaining the vehicles that appear on camera requires mechanical skill, research ability, and attention to detail. A car in a period film needs to be year-accurate, properly dressed, and able to perform reliably on camera -- sometimes at high speeds.
Every Seat at the Table
The department head. Plans and manages all transportation logistics for the entire production. Hires drivers, sources vehicles, negotiates fuel and parking, coordinates with locations and the production office, and ensures the fleet is road-legal and permitted.
Manages the day-to-day operations of the driver fleet. Assigns vehicles, coordinates call times, handles fuel runs, and ensures every truck and trailer is where it needs to be for the next day's work.
Operates production vehicles: cube trucks, 5-ton trucks, 48-foot trailers, 15-passenger vans, SUVs, and specialty vehicles. Must hold a valid CDL (for larger vehicles), know local roads, and be comfortable backing large rigs into tight locations.
Sources, preps, and manages all vehicles that appear on camera. This includes finding period-accurate vehicles, coordinating multiples (hero car + stunt double), managing owners, and ensuring vehicles are camera-ready at all times.
Maintains and positions picture cars on set. Responsible for continuity (tire positions, window reflections, damage matching), starting/stopping vehicles on cue, and keeping hero vehicles spotless between takes.
Equipment & Technology
Production Vehicles
- 48-Foot Trailers (Equipment)
- 5-Ton Stake Bed Trucks
- Cube Trucks (Various Sizes)
- 15-Passenger Vans
- Production SUVs
- Honey Wagons (Cast Trailers)
- Hair & Makeup Trailers
- Production Office Trailers
Specialty Vehicles
- Camera Cars (Pursuit/Insert)
- Process Trailers (Driving Scenes)
- Low Loaders
- Flatbed Tow Vehicles
- Water Trucks
- Fuel Trucks
- Generator Trucks
- Condor / Crane Trucks
Picture Cars
- Period Vehicles (All Eras)
- Hero Vehicles (Camera-Ready)
- Stunt Doubles (Roll Cages)
- Police/Emergency Vehicles
- Military Vehicles
- Specialty/Custom Builds
- Vehicle Aging & Dressing Materials
- Tow Dollies & Equipment
Skills & Qualifications
Join the Transportation
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