ART OF FILM MAKING

ART OF FILM MAKING

Film making is the process of making a film.

Film is a colloid art of storytelling.

Film is the biggest and best mass medium because film is something which can be remembered, recalled and relished.

Therefore, films can be considered for social changes. As a matter of fact, visuals play an important role in our lives.

Film making involves a number of discrete stages which include an initial story/idea, through scriptwriting, casting, shooting, sound recording, editing and finishing before getting to audience as film release or exhibition.

There are three major stages in Film Making, namely; Pre-Production, Production, and Post-Production stage. However, each stage can be broken into many aspects.

Pre-Production stage: This, often begins with a storywriter who finds a producer to buy his/her story or an investor to finance its film shoot while he/she becomes the producer. The producer has numerous jobs in this stage which cover selection and development of story concept, hiring of film crew, script/screen writing, casting, location finding, cost finding, budgeting, fund raising, to the level of implementation.

Production stage: This is film shooting stage. This covers directing, cinematography, costuming, property, set designing, sound recording, acting, lighting and the likes.

Post-Production stage:  This is the final stage that covers editing of the different scenes shot, animation, music composing, supervision, premiering, marketing and distribution.

To learn film making, means learning equivalent of 20 different careers. This is because Film Making employs numerous but intertwined professionals in which the personnel have their different specializations. They are together called Film Crew.

FILM CREW AND THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES:

Note: the 'He' used in the terms below is a unisex word.

Producer: He is the chief administrator. He helps develop the script into a workable project. He buys the rights (censor) for a movie, hires actors and crew members, consults the creative aspects and budgets for the movie. He helps organize the entire production while keeping track of finances throughout the production. The producer oversees script progress and often assists in creating final distribution plans for the movie.

Cinematographer (Camera man/operator): He physically controls and operates the camera during filming under the direction of the Director of Photography (D.o.P). The camera operator works closely with both Assistant Cameramen (A.C.’s) as well. The camera operator controls the shot’s framing, and the camera movements as instructed by the director of photography.

Director of Photography (D.O.P): He takes charge of the overall visual look of the film as seen through the camera. He recommends which cameras and lenses to use for the production. He designs the shot’s framing, and the camera movements in conjunction with the director. He is also in charge of the camera crew, lighting design and collaborating with the gaffer.

Best Boy – The best boy is the lead electrician on set and he is the coordinator of all the other electricians and the key grip. The best boy usually operates, adjusts and balances the electrical load on the generator where required. This person is also responsible for distributing the electrical cabling properly providing the required power to each of the lights as well as changing and installing bulbs properly (when there are no other electricitians).

Gaffer – The gaffer is also known as the chief lighting technician. This person is primarily responsible for developing a lighting plan according to the desires of the Director of Photography. The gaffer informs the best boy and key grip on where and which lights are to be placed. The gaffer is in charge of creating the best possible lighting scenario according to the camera framing.

Light man (Key Grip) – Grips essentially “shape the light” that is provided by the electricians. The key grip is the lead grip on a film set and in charge of all the other grips. The key grip and best boy collaborate with the gaffer and D.P. to formulate the best tactic for accomplishing a given shot. The key grip oversees the proper camera rigging mechanisms as well as manages the light blocking and diffusing techniques. He creates pattern and shadow effects, coloring light, diffusing light or blocking light. While electricians set up the lights and cabling, grips provide everything else that is built around the lights to create the quality of light that the gaffer desires. They also provide a variety of special rigging, securing and safety measures on set.

Location Manager – This person is in charge of attaining all the legal permits and other clearances needed to gain proper permission for filming in a particular location. The location manager also takes care of attaining and processing any other location permit fees as well. On some smaller shoots, the location manager assists in coordinating the parking of vehicles.

Location Scout – Quite often the location scout is one of the first crew members to be contacted on a production. The location scout assists in finding the various filming locations according to the producer and director’s desires. Location scouts often have a large database of location photographs to show before traveling to the actual location for filming.

Costume Designer – The costume designer makes decisions on which wardrobes and costumes actors will wear based on the script requirements and character portrayals. Costume designers create or choose various clothing patterns, designs, colors, sizes and accessories for each wardrobe used during production. On larger movies, the costume designer has several assistants helping to organize, disperse and maintain all the costumes used by the cast.

Makeup Artist – The makeup artist’s main task is to apply and create a variety of looks on the actors and actresses’ skin surfaces with makeup, from current trends to classic or period pieces. The makeup artist creates a look according to the director’s desires, often inspired by the characterizations in a story. Some can work as Hair Stylist.

Director – The director is the leading creative artist on a movie set. The director works directly with the actors on their performances and has final creative control on almost every aspect of the film. The director plays a large role in casting, script revisions, shot composing and even editing. Usually, the director is hired by the producer of the film. A director manages and directs all the departments. The output of a film is the visionary of his creativity. The director is the head of the film unit. He has to know what he wants from all other departments. He visualizes the script in the perceptive of a camera keeping the audience in mind along the usage of all other films, satisfying all of them and finally getting what he wants.

Line Producer – The line producer supervises the entire budget of the movie. Expenses may include celebrity salaries as well as daily costs like location and equipment rentals. The production manager reports to the line producer the current expenses and needs of the production on an ongoing basis.

Publicist: He is like a Public Relation Officer in companies. He is in charge of mass publications, announcements and adverts.

Production Manager – The production manager works closely with the production coordinator. This person helps supervise the organization and distribution of the production budget, crew and equipment scheduling, salaries, day rates, and other office related paperwork. This person reports budget needs to the line producer, while trying to keep the production under budget on a day to day basis. He is in charge of day-to-day operations during the shooting. This includes the mobilization of actors and crew

Script Supervisor / Continuity – The script supervisor works closely with the director by taking detailed notes concerning what has been shot, needs to be shot, and also notes any deviations from take to take. He/she also makes sure that the dialogue corresponds with the script. The script supervisor also takes logging notes that are essential in the post production editing process, such as locating shots and finding the best takes. Many times the script supervisor assumes the role of continuity, ensuring the consistency between scenes and shots.

He is the right aide to the Director and D.o.P. He keeps track of daily progress of scenes and shots. He can represent the mind of an editor and writer on set.

Boom Operator/ Swinger / Utility – This person is responsible for properly positioning the microphone boom pole during the actual filming. The boom operator is the assistant to the sound mixer. Many times the boom operator is required to hold the boom pole for several minutes at a time, which can be physically demanding. The boom operator must also be able to follow the actors movements while staying clear of the camera and lights. This makes it a challenging job for achieving the best possible audio.

Sound Mixer/Recordist – The sound mixer for film is head of the sound department and he is responsible for leveling, monitoring and recording of audio during production. The sound mixer decides which microphones to use as well as placements of the microphones. This person can also mix the various sound tracks and audio signals in real time. A film sound mixer supervises the boom operator and/or sound utility person.

Stunt Coordinator – The stunt coordinator manages and coordinates all the dangerous action sequences in a movie that require a stuntman or stunt performer. The stunt coordinator always follows the appropriate safety regulations during filming to ensure the safety of every stunt performer. Types of stunts may include jumping, flipping, diving, free-falling, crashing cars, catching fire, underwater stunts and other dangerous action sequences where stunt doubles are needed.

1st Assistant Cameraman or A.C (Focus puller): measures and pulls focus during filming. He sets up and builds the camera as well as maintains and cleans the camera and lenses.

2nd Assistant Cameraman or A.C (Loader): loads and unloads the new rolls of films/ memory cards, runs the state/clapper for correct labeling of every shot.

Unit Photographer or Production Still: takes still photographs on set and documents the 'behind-the-scenes' making of the production. Often, this person photographs images used for marketing and publicity purposes such as movie posters and DVD box art.

Property manager (Prop Man):  acquires, organizes, maintains and accounts for all the various props needed for the production. A prop is basically any set decoration piece that can be moved readily easily. This includes many items like guns, knives, books, phones, dish-ware, food, musical instruments, pets or any other item that needs to be present to fulfill the story line.

Storyboard Artist: creates a series of illustrations and sketches based on the director’s vision during pre-production. Each sketch represents a different camera set-up. These drawings usually include camera angles, characters and set design. The illustrations are then used to assist the other head departments in understanding their tasks.

Set decorators/designer/dresser: makes the decisions on what furnishings and other decorations are going to be used on set. This person works closely with the Art director and Production designer to create the optimal visual environment for filming. This may include various items such as paintings, fabrics, and other non-movable decorative set pieces.

*Catering: She is is charge of all the foods to be eaten during locations. They serve the crew and actors food during their break and resting hours.

Apart from Catering, we have the Food Stylist and Craft Service in the Food Department. They are used in large productions that involve party, buffet and banquet scenes.

*Editor: is in charge of arranging and connecting different scenes/frames that were shot on locations as to make a meaningful and complete story as instructed by the Producer/Director.

*Executive Producer: is often the Film Production Company or the film major financier/investor. He puts down the funds for the making of film with the expectation of making profits after the release of film. He gets report from the Producer/Line Producer as the film shoot progresses.

Other members of crew who are involved in one or two stages of Film making are Videographer, Art director, Stand-in, Scenic Artist / Painter, Hair Stylist, Special FX Makeup, Wardrobe Stylist, Production Designer, Production Secretary, Special Effects Coordinator, Special Effects Technician, Captains / Gang Boss, Transportation Driver, Script/Screen writer, Story analyst/reader, Casting director, Music composer, etc.

                                                          - (Collated and Edited by TOBI OLAITAN)

Culled from: (1) Sirisha Akshintala: The Top 10 elements of Film Making. (2) Justin Griesinger: Film Job Descrijptions. (3) https://www.wikipedia.com/filmmaking