What Is A Swing Gang?

In film production, a swing gang is typically part of the set dressing department and consists of a team of individuals who make last-minute changes on set. Much of the swing gang’s work occurs overnight and when the shooting crew is not on site. Directed by the leadman, the swing gang is responsible for moving furniture, dressing props, and other set decoration on and off the set.

Members of the swing gang must be able to lift and carry heavy objects as well as take direction well and work quickly. The leadman is in charge of tracking inventory of all props and decorations needed for each scene in order to provide accurate instructions to the swing gang. It is important for the swing gang to move swiftly and efficiently at transporting set decorations so that they are able to prepare each set well in advance of the director and camera crew arriving.

A set that is not meant to be permanent is called a “swing set,” and they are constructed and removed as the script calls for it. At times when a scene may need to be re-shot or a set re-used, and it is the leadman’s responsibility to organize the swing gang’s efforts to replicate the original set dressings exactly to ensure set continuity within the project.

If you are looking for a set dresser for your next production, check out our online Nevada Production Directory to find professional set dressers in Nevada. You can also drop by our office and pick up a free printed directory!

If you are an experienced set dresser and are not yet listed in our Nevada Production Directory, you can learn more about how to sign up for the NPD here.

Related Production Services: Set Decorator, Set Designer, Set Construction

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