As one of the premier studio production companies in New York, Broadway Stages works to meet the growing demands of the film and TV industry while also focusing on the needs of our community. We provide the industry with a soundstage or location where they shoot their scenes, but they also need a skilled and experienced workforce. In this series, we look at the various jobs that make a production come to life. We hope it provides insight and encourages you to consider a career in the film and TV industry. This week, we look at the role of a transportation captain.

What is a Transportation Captain?

In our last Industry Jobs post, we looked at the role of the location manager, which is key to finding and securing locations where filming can take place. This week, we look at the role that leads the huge logistical task of making sure people and equipment are in the right place at the right time — the transportation captain. Whether in a studio or on location, if the cast, crew, and equipment are not where they need to be at the right time, there can be production delays, so this role is crucial in making sure everything runs smoothly. Read on for an overview of this role’s responsibilities.

What Does a Transportation Captain Do?

The transportation captain (or coordinator) leads a team that includes transportation managers and drivers who handle various transportation needs on a production, from picking up cast members and driving them to the set, to transporting trailers, and more. The vehicles “may include cube trucks, passenger vans, stake beds, flatbeds, limos, cars or any other needed production vehicle,” according to Film in Colorado. In their overview of the role, Beverly Boy Productions says the transportation coordinator “is responsible for procuring transportation vehicles associated with production” and “works closely with rental companies and transport contractors to negotiate rental agreements and secure transport.”

The transportation captain’s other responsibilities include scouting locations to identify and work around any physical barriers that would prevent the vehicles from reaching or navigating the locations. The captain also obtains vehicle insurance and returns vehicles when they are no longer needed. Read about these and other responsibilities of a transportation lead in an interview with Transportation Coordinator Bob Foster. For additional insight into what it is like to lead the transportation team, see this Los Angeles Daily News interview with Transportation Coordinator Dusty Saunders. And you can find an overview of the role on Backstage.

How Do I Become a Transportation Captain?

There is no formal education required for this job. However, as a leadership position, it does require skills and experience. According to Backstage, “Transportation captains need substantial driving experience and skill, a valid commercial driver’s license, strong organizational and communication skills, and the ability to manage a large team and keep them on schedule.” Of course, the nature of the role requires a knowledge of safety. And Beverly Boy Productions notes that transportation coordinators “must be skilled in transporting cargo and they must have an understanding of loads and road navigation.” Transportation Coordinator Bob Foster recommends ways to get the experience and skills needed for the role, including being a PA, attending driving school, and interning at vehicle rental houses.

Learn about film and TV industry jobs, training, and more in the Broadway Stages’ Industry Resource Guide. Our guide provides information about industry-focused job posting sites; links to general recruiting sites; education and training programs; and state, city, and borough industry information.