The leadman works with an art director and set decorator to dress sets on film and television productions. This job requires an eye for detail as well as patience for precision work, including finicky prop placement to ensure that there are no continuity errors on a production. Responsibilities can vary, depending on the size of the production, and people usually work into jobs like this, starting as apprentices and assistants and working their way up through the ranks. Once a leadman becomes established, it may be possible to keep working with the same crew, as directors often like to keep staff who work well with them.

On a large production, the leadman supervises the team of people responsible for dressing the set, resetting it after scenes, and making minor adjustments while the production is underway. This crew needs to be able to accommodate filming equipment and personnel as it moves objects on the set around. It works with continuity personnel to ensure that props are placed in exactly the right position each time, to avoid situations where props appear to wander over the course of a scene. Smaller productions may involve a smaller team, and can leave these duties entirely up to one person.

This member of a film crew also meets with the art director, who oversees the overall look and feel of the film in consultation with the director, and the set decorator. These personnel determine what kinds of props are needed. The leadman may be tasked with securing props, which can require purchase, rental, or investigation of the production company's prop shop to determine what might be available. A person in this position also needs to keep track of which props are on set, and must make sure to control them over the course of the production so they can be returned to the right places at the end.

Smaller productions may require their set decorators to also act as leadmen, because it is not possible to split the job into two positions. This work can be demanding, as the leadman needs to think about overall aesthetic appearance while also taking care of day to day issues. Such productions may utilize interns to handle some of the labor, allowing people who want experience in film to work alongside professionals who provide mentoring services.

A skilled leadman can be in high demand on film productions. People who are known for their attention to detail and skill at finding suitable props may be subject to competing offers from various productions, allowing them to pick and choose the positions they want. Depending on where a leadman works, access to benefits may be available through an employer or creative technician's union.