Saturday, 30 September 2017
Sunday, 24 September 2017
Unit 22: How do the production team use a screenplay?
Producer
Description: The manager of the whole project.
Responsibility: Finalises the scripts, arranges financing and makes sure the budget is kept to, recruits the production team and makes sure everybody is working to schedule and on budget.
Use of Script: The producer will use the screenplay to organise when and where people need to be at specific times in the shoot. They will specify times they want separate parts of the screenplay filming and then make sure everybody turns up to the shoot. They will also use the screenplay to manage the budget. They will work out which parts of the film need the most money spent on it etc.
Key Skills: Good at managing people and communicating, be able to plan things to fit to time limits and budgets. They will have to be good at maths and have financial knowledge.
Director
Description: A director is responsible for the creative side of the film.
Responsibility: They will instruct actors on how to perform parts of the script and tell the camera crew what different shots they want.
Use of Script: They will use the script heavily to see what is meant to happen in the story. They will then interoperate it in their own way how to shoot the film and how the actors should perform it.
Key Skills: They will have to be creative, have good knowledge of how to achieve different atmospheres/effects and be good at organising people as well as keeping to time limits.
Screenwriter
Description: They write the script/storyline for the film.
Responsibility: They have to write a script which includes what every character says, descries the key action in the film as well as description of the locations.
Use of Script: They are the ones that write the script.
Key Skills: They must be creative and have a good imagination. They will have to have good literacy skills and understanding os story telling techniques such as dramatic structure.
Production Designer
Description: The people that transform the written idea for the film into a visual plan.
Responsibility: The production designer will take the script and produce a storyboard from it. This will include the kind of colours that will be used in the film and help the director and editor what the final product should look like.
Use of Script: They create a visual copy of the script by drawing it onto a storyboard.
Key Skills: They will have to be very artistic, creative and be familiar with CAD software.
Art Director
Description: The person responsible for creating sets and props that look realistic.
Responsibility: They will need to create sets that fit with the theme of the film, find probs that look realistic and ultimately make the film look like it was set in a real place.
Use of Script: They will use the script to find out when the story was set, what locations are required, what the weather is like and what props the characters use.
Key Skills: They will have to be creative, good at organising people, working to time limits and be able to keep to budgets.
Costume Designer
Description: The person responsible for designing the costumes worn by the characters during the film.
Responsibility: They will need to create costumes that fit with the theme and era of the film, find clothing that look realistic and ultimately make the characters look like who they are meant to be and living in the era the film was set.
Use of Script: They will use the script to see when the story was set, what the characters are like, how they are dressed and what they are doing in order to create appropriate costumes.
Key Skills: They will have to be creative, good at organising people, working to time limits and be able to keep to budgets.
Director of Photography
Description: The person who manages the technical side of shooting a film (all the gear and what settings need to be applied to achieve certain styles).
Responsibility: They will be instructed by the director what the shot should look like. The DP will then have to setup the gear in a way that will achieve that (whether that is using certain lenses or camera settings or adjusting lighting).
Use of Script: They will use the script to understand what is happening in the film and then decide how best to film it. Wether multiple cameras are required or specialist equipment.
Key Skills: Working to time limits and under pressure, good technical knowledge of the equipment they are using and communication skills.
Editor
Description: They editing all the shots together that have been filmed by the camera crew.
Responsibility: Organising footage once it has been shot, editing the footage, audio and music together under the instructions of the director.
Use of Script: They will use the script to understand the storyline of the film so they can edit it together in a way that achieves the desired mood, tone and portray the correct time period.
Key Skills: Good sense of timing and visual awareness, knowledge of the video editing software, team working skills, being able to work long hours to tight deadlines and have a high attention to detail.
Music Supervisor
Description: The music supervisor finds or produces music appropriate to the mood of the film.
Responsibility: They will have to gather music (and get copyright permission to use the music) and/or produce music (either on instruments or electronically on a computer) that fits the mood and adds to the atmosphere of the film.
Use of Script: They use the script to find out where good places for music would be (whether it is to add tension or provide background sound).
Key Skills: Be able to play instruments, use computers to make music, good knowledge of current and classical music, be able to understand how music creates a specific atmosphere, work to deadlines and on a budget.
Actors
Description: These are the people that perform the parts in the film.
Responsibility: Learn scripts and perform them in the correct style to create an interesting character (that the audience becomes attached with or hates) that makes the film feel like real life.
Use of Script: They will need to learn the parts they are required to perform the script and also will be able to use it for time management (where they need to be and when).
Key Skills: Confident performing in front of crew and cameras, good memory to learn scripts, be able to portray different characters, listen to the director and work with other time members.
Description: The manager of the whole project.
Responsibility: Finalises the scripts, arranges financing and makes sure the budget is kept to, recruits the production team and makes sure everybody is working to schedule and on budget.
Use of Script: The producer will use the screenplay to organise when and where people need to be at specific times in the shoot. They will specify times they want separate parts of the screenplay filming and then make sure everybody turns up to the shoot. They will also use the screenplay to manage the budget. They will work out which parts of the film need the most money spent on it etc.
Key Skills: Good at managing people and communicating, be able to plan things to fit to time limits and budgets. They will have to be good at maths and have financial knowledge.
Director
Description: A director is responsible for the creative side of the film.
Responsibility: They will instruct actors on how to perform parts of the script and tell the camera crew what different shots they want.
Use of Script: They will use the script heavily to see what is meant to happen in the story. They will then interoperate it in their own way how to shoot the film and how the actors should perform it.
Key Skills: They will have to be creative, have good knowledge of how to achieve different atmospheres/effects and be good at organising people as well as keeping to time limits.
Screenwriter
Description: They write the script/storyline for the film.
Responsibility: They have to write a script which includes what every character says, descries the key action in the film as well as description of the locations.
Use of Script: They are the ones that write the script.
Key Skills: They must be creative and have a good imagination. They will have to have good literacy skills and understanding os story telling techniques such as dramatic structure.
Production Designer
Description: The people that transform the written idea for the film into a visual plan.
Responsibility: The production designer will take the script and produce a storyboard from it. This will include the kind of colours that will be used in the film and help the director and editor what the final product should look like.
Use of Script: They create a visual copy of the script by drawing it onto a storyboard.
Key Skills: They will have to be very artistic, creative and be familiar with CAD software.
Art Director
Description: The person responsible for creating sets and props that look realistic.
Responsibility: They will need to create sets that fit with the theme of the film, find probs that look realistic and ultimately make the film look like it was set in a real place.
Use of Script: They will use the script to find out when the story was set, what locations are required, what the weather is like and what props the characters use.
Key Skills: They will have to be creative, good at organising people, working to time limits and be able to keep to budgets.
Costume Designer
Description: The person responsible for designing the costumes worn by the characters during the film.
Responsibility: They will need to create costumes that fit with the theme and era of the film, find clothing that look realistic and ultimately make the characters look like who they are meant to be and living in the era the film was set.
Use of Script: They will use the script to see when the story was set, what the characters are like, how they are dressed and what they are doing in order to create appropriate costumes.
Key Skills: They will have to be creative, good at organising people, working to time limits and be able to keep to budgets.
Director of Photography
Description: The person who manages the technical side of shooting a film (all the gear and what settings need to be applied to achieve certain styles).
Responsibility: They will be instructed by the director what the shot should look like. The DP will then have to setup the gear in a way that will achieve that (whether that is using certain lenses or camera settings or adjusting lighting).
Use of Script: They will use the script to understand what is happening in the film and then decide how best to film it. Wether multiple cameras are required or specialist equipment.
Key Skills: Working to time limits and under pressure, good technical knowledge of the equipment they are using and communication skills.
Editor
Description: They editing all the shots together that have been filmed by the camera crew.
Responsibility: Organising footage once it has been shot, editing the footage, audio and music together under the instructions of the director.
Use of Script: They will use the script to understand the storyline of the film so they can edit it together in a way that achieves the desired mood, tone and portray the correct time period.
Key Skills: Good sense of timing and visual awareness, knowledge of the video editing software, team working skills, being able to work long hours to tight deadlines and have a high attention to detail.
Music Supervisor
Description: The music supervisor finds or produces music appropriate to the mood of the film.
Responsibility: They will have to gather music (and get copyright permission to use the music) and/or produce music (either on instruments or electronically on a computer) that fits the mood and adds to the atmosphere of the film.
Use of Script: They use the script to find out where good places for music would be (whether it is to add tension or provide background sound).
Key Skills: Be able to play instruments, use computers to make music, good knowledge of current and classical music, be able to understand how music creates a specific atmosphere, work to deadlines and on a budget.
Actors
Description: These are the people that perform the parts in the film.
Responsibility: Learn scripts and perform them in the correct style to create an interesting character (that the audience becomes attached with or hates) that makes the film feel like real life.
Use of Script: They will need to learn the parts they are required to perform the script and also will be able to use it for time management (where they need to be and when).
Key Skills: Confident performing in front of crew and cameras, good memory to learn scripts, be able to portray different characters, listen to the director and work with other time members.
Wednesday, 20 September 2017
Unit 22: The Screenplay (Casino Royale)
Almost all media products need a script. Films, TV programmes, games & radio broadcasts usually have scripts.
Film Scripts:
The script (screenplay) is a document that is given to the production team (written by a screen writer). It tells the production team what is going to happen in the story and includes all the dialogue.
Most screenplays get sent to production companies but actually never get used. They have to be green lighted by production executives.
Once this has happened the style and look of the film is decided by the director and all the camera angles by the director of photography.
The 'Casino Royale' Screenplay:
Film: Casino Royale
Year: 2006
Director: Martin Campbell
Part of the film: This is the opening scene of the film.
Features of a Screenplay:
- Slugline: This is the line that tells us where and when a scene takes place. It is always aligned to the left and in capitals in screenplays. In the above screenplays the first slugline is 'EXT. MODERN OFFICE BLOCK - PRAGUE -- NIGHT'.
- Action: This tells us what is happening in the film. It is always in normal text and appears wide on the screenplay document. In the above script the first action section is: 'Snow on the ground, It's the middle of the night. A car pulls up outside the ultra-modern building'.
- Characters: These are displayed in the middle of the page in capital letters. This is done so each actor can easily find their character and what it needs to say/do. The first example in the screenplay above is: 'BOND'.
-Dialogue: This is displayed below the characters names and what they each say. The example in the screenplay above is: 'M really doesn't mind us making a little money on the side, Dryden'.
The finished section of film that was based off this screenplay:
The first section of this video follows the screenplay above. However the cricket game section does not appear in this clip, instead a fighting scene where bond makes a kill. This because this was added to the screenplay at a later revision.
Thursday, 14 September 2017
Working Weekend - Shot on LG G6
When challenged to shoot a short film entirely on a smartphone I wanted to try and create something that still looked of a very high quality (so it didn't look like it was filmed on a smartphone).
I had multiple ideas for cinematic style films of wildlife or scenery but unfortunately the weather and zoom on the phone let me down with this. I also wanted to create something with a storyline as this would make the video a much more interesting watch.
Eventually I decided on a short film about a weekend day of my life. I chose this because it allowed me to introduce a mini storyline but also gave me the freedom to film some more cinematic shots on the journey that would test the capability of the phone.
I filmed the whole video on the LG G6 smartphone in Full HD then edited it with some music in Final Cut Pro:
Overall I was relatively pleased with the outcome, most of the shots look good in the film and I believe the music worked well with the atmosphere in the film. I would like to include some narrative and different camera/post production effects in future films to help create a more interesting and complex storyline.
I had multiple ideas for cinematic style films of wildlife or scenery but unfortunately the weather and zoom on the phone let me down with this. I also wanted to create something with a storyline as this would make the video a much more interesting watch.
Eventually I decided on a short film about a weekend day of my life. I chose this because it allowed me to introduce a mini storyline but also gave me the freedom to film some more cinematic shots on the journey that would test the capability of the phone.
I filmed the whole video on the LG G6 smartphone in Full HD then edited it with some music in Final Cut Pro:
Overall I was relatively pleased with the outcome, most of the shots look good in the film and I believe the music worked well with the atmosphere in the film. I would like to include some narrative and different camera/post production effects in future films to help create a more interesting and complex storyline.
Wednesday, 6 September 2017
James Bowes - About Me
My name is James Bowes.
I live in Yorkshire, UK and am passionate about Technology, online video, TV, film & radio.
I run two YouTube channels, one about travel (where I vlog about trips and experiences in my life) and the other about technology (where I make videos about the latest tech news as well as unboxings and reviews of the latest smartphones).
One of my recent travel films:
One of my recent Technology videos:
I live in Yorkshire, UK and am passionate about Technology, online video, TV, film & radio.
I run two YouTube channels, one about travel (where I vlog about trips and experiences in my life) and the other about technology (where I make videos about the latest tech news as well as unboxings and reviews of the latest smartphones).
One of my recent travel films:
One of my recent Technology videos:
My favourite kind of media are documentaries, tavel and news-related videos. I watch YouTube channels such as Beme News and FunForLouis. In an ideal world this is what I would like to do when I am older.
Beme News:
FunForLouis:
I am also currently watching Narcos on Netflix and recently saw Dunkirk in the cinema. I like films/tv like this because it is based on real-life situations. This is my favourite kind of media, fictional programmes based on real life situations.
On this blog I will posting all work and thoughts relating to Media Studies and filmmaking/TV in general.
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