What are the responsibilities of a greensman during film production?

It might seem unusual, but every tree, shrub, flower, and vine visible in a movie (unless the scene was shot outdoors) is typically rented. These are often sourced from massive warehouses in Los Angeles, which stock a wide variety of real and artificial foliage. The crew member tasked with renting, planting, arranging, maintaining, and eventually returning all these plants is known as the greensman.

The greensman primarily works on soundstages, transforming concrete floors into backyards, jungles, and forests, often with limited natural light. While their expertise is less required for outdoor shoots, they may still be brought in to enhance the natural greenery of a location.

The greensman, a key member of the art department, collaborates closely with the production designer, set decorator, and special effects team to bring the director's vision for the film's natural settings to life. During pre-production, the greensman conducts extensive research to determine the types of vegetation required for each scene. Once the art department's budget is approved, the production designer typically provides sketches, and the greensman begins sourcing rentals. Additionally, the greensman ensures continuity by recreating outdoor scenes that have already been filmed.

Unsurprisingly, the greensman's role involves significant physical labor. On smaller productions, there may be only one greensman, while larger films might employ up to three. This means the greensman could be the sole individual responsible for transporting trees, digging holes, watering plants, and rearranging foliage for weeks—only to return everything to the rental company after filming concludes. Typically, the greensman arrives early on set to ensure all greenery is properly arranged before shooting begins. They also monitor rehearsals and make necessary adjustments to the plants. After the initial setup, their workload tends to ease for the remainder of the day.

The greensman's presence isn't required every day of filming, especially for outdoor shoots. In such cases, they also oversee set safety, ensuring that no plants, bushes, or trees pose a risk to the cast or crew. On low-budget or nonunion projects, the set decorator often takes on the greensman's responsibilities, managing houseplants, bouquets, and other indoor vegetation.

While a college degree isn't mandatory, studying horticulture, botany, or landscape design can be advantageous for aspiring greensmen. Many greensmen begin their careers as set designers before transitioning to greenery work, while others gain experience at gardens or garden-supply companies before entering the film industry. Some greensmen build long-term careers in this role, while others advance to positions like production designer or set designer.