2. Continuity
Definition: Continuity is the practice of ensuring
that all details in both film and television are
consistent in every shot and from scene to scene.
Written Example: Objects that go missing between
shots or an actors costume/hair/makeup changing
between different shots. Equipment from the film
crew appearing in shots is also an example.
Visual Example:
This is a screenshot taken from
Gilmore Girls.
In these two screenshots you can see
that in one shot a characters is
wearing a cast on their arm but in the
second screenshot you can see that it
has disappeared entirely.
Why Continuity is important:
Continuity is an important practice as it ensures that every scenes matches with what has
been shot previously. E.g., if there was a scene where an actor was using a particular prop
or needed to look a certain way (i.e., with their hair and/or makeup) the film crew would need
to make sure that it’s the same in every other scene afterwards.
Who is in charge of maintaining continuity errors?
The main person in charge of handling continuity errors is the script supervisor. Their job is
keep a record of each scenes shot and how/why they might have changed from the first
script draft. Their job is to also create a report for each continuity error and makes sure that
each shot is maintained the same.
Problems that you would need to consider:
Depending on what is being shot, you would need to make sure that every prop, every actor
(hair/makeup/costume) and every bit of lighting used in one scene must be present in the
next in order to maintain continuity. Ensure that there have been photos taken from all
angles of every scene to ensure that it can be perfectly replicated.
3. Lighting Tests
Definition: Lighting tests is the practice of testing the
lighting on a stand in actor in order to ensure the lighting
is appropriate, matches with the scene being shot and
also fits with the actors appearance. In order to make
sure that directors don’t waste time they hire a stand in
actor during the lighting tests that is of a similar build
(weight, height etc…) to see if any lighting work needs to
be monitored or altered before the main actors has to
come in an shoot.
Written Example: A director might want to test out of the
lighting for either a certain scene or certain shot e.g., the
director wants to shoot a particular scene where it
requires a certain type of lighting so they will need to test
it beforehand by finding a stand in actor that is of a
similar build to the main actor that will be present in the
scene.
Visual Example:
This is a screenshot taken from a film
set where they are doing a lighting test
on a stand in actor.
Why Lighting tests are important:
Lighting tests are important to perform as it will allow the director to see
beforehand if there are any issues with the lighting and/or if there is anything that
can be altered/changed.
Who is in charge of maintaining and following Lighting tests?
The director is in charge of following the process of lighting tests as it will then be
incorporated into future scenes/shots. This means that the director must be
present to ensure that they think that either the shots are fine to use in those
future scenes or if anything needs to be changed.
Problems that you would need to consider:
A problem that would need to be considered is if there is any altercations that
need to made before shooting starts e.g., if you’re unable to get a hold of a
specific piece of equipment that you would need to ensure that there is a similar
replacement that will fit in with what had been shot previously.
4. Storyboarding/Narrative
Definition: A storyboard is the use of a small sequence of
drawings that includes some form of dialogue and directions
that are simple to follow. This all helps to represent the
shots that are going to be used for either television and/or
film production. A small definition of ‘narrative’ is the
account of a written or spoken turn of events, also know as;
a story.
Written Example: The script supervisor might want to plan
out the overall look/feel of the story through the use of a
storyboard to help showcase their ideas.
Visual Example:
This is an example of a simple
storyboard structure that helps
showcase the overall style of the
film/product.
In this storyboard example you can
see that there is an overall story and
the text explains what happens, how
it should happen and why.
Why Storyboards/Narratives are important:
Storyboards and narratives are an important part of the
production process because it gives a general rough idea
as to how the production should play out. The storyboard
doesn’t have to be the final piece, it is only a rough idea as
to how someone wants it to look.
Who is in charge of the creation of storyboarding and
the narratives?:
The person in charge of the creation of the storyboards and
the narrative would be the script supervisor. Another person
that is also responsible is the storyboard artist that is hired
at the start of project. These two are an important part of
this process because a storyboard is an important part to
create a rough idea of how the product is going to plan out.
Problems that you would need to consider:
A problem that could occur is the overall time that would be
spent into making the storyboards. This is because they will
have to spent a lot of money (e.g., on locations, costume
and actors).
5. Shot Testing
Definition: Shot testing is a test shoot,
experimenting with the shots that have been
planned beforehand as well as any technical
aspects. Testing beforehand could help to see if
any shots don’t match and/or the director
decides that they don’t work with what is being
shot.
Written Example: A director will want to test out
different shots beforehand e.g., they would want
to test the cameras to make sure that they
function correctly. They would also want to make
sure that the camera is set to all of the correct
settings.
Visual Example:
This is a screenshot taken from a film
set where they are doing shot testing.
Why Shot testing is important:
Shot testing is important because it will allow the director to get an idea as to how a
certain shot or scenes will play out. This will then allow them to change anything that
they think either doesn’t work with what they have done previously or if they decide that
they want to try something else.
Who is in charge of the process of shot testing?:
The director will be in charge of the shot testing process which will then potentially be
used in the final product. This means that the director must be present to ensure that
the camera is working, on the correct settings that correspond to what is being filmed as
well as any other form of prep before they begin to film the actual product.
Problems that you would need to consider:
An issue that would normally occur is that this process would also be relatively time
consuming as it will take a reasonable time for the crew to test out the equipment (e.g.,
the cameras to make sure that they are on the correct setting for what they will be
testing). The actors themselves may also have to be present in order to complete the
process.
6. Shot Composition
Definition: Shot composition is the way that a
scene is arranged in regards to the camera work. It
mainly focuses about the visual elements and how
they are arranged in order to convey a message.
Written Example: A simple example of a shot
composition would be to think about what you as a
director are trying to visualize for your audience i.e.,
the feeling you want the audience to feel or the
overall message of the product.
Visual Example:
This is a screenshot from a film that is
an example of a film composition.
Why Shot compositions are important:
Shot composition is important it will help to draw in your audiences attention
depending on the different elements that you use. Keeping your audience
engaged is the most important part of the filmmaking process are scene
compositions are what makes the film the most entertaining and engaging.
Who is in charge of conducting Shot composition?
The person who would be in charge of the Shot composition would be the director
themselves. This means that the director must be present to ensure that the
composition remains the same through out the whole of the product.
Problems that you would need to consider:
An issue with shot composition would be that, similar to ones that I have
mentioned previously, that it would be time consuming and would require a lot of
crew and even actors to be on set.
7. Job Roles
What job role would best for me?: Taking into account about
what I like to do as a hobby and what I want to do professionally in
the future, I think that the best job role that would suit me best
would be the ‘script supervisor’.
Script Supervisor: (Ranking in order to which I think would be
most important for this particular job role).
1. Continuity
2. Storyboards/Narrative
3. Lighting Tests
4. Shot Testing/Shot Composition
Script Supervisor: (Ranking in order to which I think would be most
important for this particular job role).
1. Continuity
I think that Continuity is the most important job for the script supervisor
because it is their job to make sure that there are no continuity errors
that could occur during the film.
1. Storyboards/Narrative
Storyboarding/Narrative is also an important job for the script supervisor
because they will need know the overview of the entire script or
storyboard to ensure that nothing changes from the original.
1. Lighting Tests
Lighting tests are also important for the script supervisor to oversee
because it is their job to make sure that nothing changes from the script
and/or if something does need to change they can then edit it.
1. Shot Testing/Shot Composition
I don’t think that these two are as important. The only time that the
script supervisor would need to get involved was if there were any
changes that could relate to the script in anyway.
