2. Pre-Production
Pre-production is a fairly loose term which refers to the tasks undertaken before production begins. Exactly what is included in this stage depends on the
medium and situation.For a small video company, pre-production may refer to everything that happens before shooting begins, for example, meeting with the
client, research, storyboarding, location planning, etc.
For feature films, pre-production is more specific and only begins when other milestones have been met such as financing, screenplay, casting and major
staffing. In this case pre-production includes.
Production
In digital video, photography, television and film, production refers to the tasks that must be completed or executed during the filming or shooting. This includes
tasks such as setting up scenes, the capture of raw footage, and usage of set designs, to name a few of the many pre-production tasks. Production is the
second step in film creation. It follows the pre-production phase and evolves into the post-production stage.
Post-Production
In digital video, photography, television and film, post-production refers to the tasks that must be completed or executed after the filming or shooting ends. This
includes tasks such as the editing of raw footage to cut scenes, insert transition effects, working with voice and sound actors, and dubbing, to name a few of
the many pre-production tasks. Post-production is the third and final step in film creation. It follows the pre-production and production phases
The Production Process
3. Distribution
Distribution is the highly competitive business of launching and sustaining films in the market place. Like other forms of entertainment, the film business is
product-driven: the films themselves are the reason why most people buy cinema tickets. Film distribution is the process of making a movie available for
viewing by an audience. This is normally the task of a professional film distributor, who would determine the marketing strategy for the film, the media by which
a film is to be exhibited or made available for viewing, and who may set the release date and other matters.
Exhibition
Exhibition is the retail branch of the film industry. It involves not the production or the distribution of motion pictures, but their public screening, usually for
paying customers in a site devoted to such screenings, the movie theater. What the exhibitor sells is the experience of a film (and, frequently, concessions like
soft drinks and popcorn). Because exhibitors to some extent control how films are programmed, promoted, and presented to the public, they have considerable
influence over the box-office success and, more importantly, the reception of films.
The Production Process
4. Why have job roles?
We have job roles in film and video production so that not everyone is doing the same thing and it makes
the production process much easier and that much quicker if everyone had a role assigned to them. If
everyone just what they wanted then the production process would get halted alot due to not knowing
what has been completed and what hasn’t and with that said it could also mean someone could write out
the script and then someone else could also do the script but then the storyboard doesn’t get finished
which means the pre-production would have to be stopped till everything is caught up, this is why job
roles are really essential to a small and big scale production.
5. Key roles in media production
Producer
The Producer will work on the production for the entire process from the initial concept right through to marketing and distribution. They are vital to the
success of the final piece, as they oversee every aspect of production. They hire key members of the production team; approve locations, schedules,
budgets, and scripts. They must be brilliant negotiators when dealing with suppliers, and motivators as they work directly with the production and post-
production team to ensure that everyone is on track and happy.
Director
The Director is responsible for the creative vision; they write or study scripts and decide how it is best to interpret them. Directors must have a strong
understanding of all areas of the production from the initial concept right through to the edit. In addition to casting, directing the camera crew, choosing
appropriate kit and locations, they must be aware of any budget or schedule restraints. Directors are highly creative and multitalented; and there are several
different types of specialist including Animation, Art, Casting, Studio, and Film Directors.
Production Runner/ Assistant
The Production Runner / Assistant is an entry level role, which can be office or location based. Duties vary extensively from ensuring contributors needs are
met, performing admin duties, fetching lunches, to cleaning up sets. Sometimes the Runner / Assistant is required to drive crew to and from locations, so
many companies will specify that they need to hire someone over the age of 25 for insurance reasons. Hours are often long and pay can be low, but it’s a
brilliant role for gaining contacts and then moving into other areas.
Edit Producer
As Edit Producer does not work on location, their role starts at a later date as they supervise the edit suites. If a show is being shot and cut at the same time
an Edit Producer is brought in to work from the edit suites while the PD is busy on location. The Edit Producer organises the rushes and script and develops
the narrative, so they are expert storytellers.
Location manager
The location manager is in charge of finding and securing locations in which scenes and filming will take place.
They are also have other responsibilities such as addressing the issue that may arise due the productions impact on the community.
6. Director
A film director is in charge of making sure that every component of a movie runs smoothly. Generally, these directors
work on a movie from its conception stage to its delivery stage. They have a say in how the scenes unfold, what props are
going to be used, how the characters should look and who should play specific parts. Directors also work with individuals
in charge of lighting, scenery, writing and so forth to make sure that all of the elements come together. The director is in
charge of the three main phases, which are pre-production, production and post-production. Generally, he or she does not
actually do the work for post-production but is in charge of overseeing it.
7. Production Manager/Producer
Producers play an integral role in the television, film and video industries. A producer will oversee each project from conception to
completion and may also be involved in the marketing and distribution processes.Producers work closely with the directors and
other production staff on a shoot. Increasingly, they need to have directing skills as they may be the director and be in charge of all
project operations. Producers arrange funding for each project and are responsible for keeping the production within the allocated
budget. Producers are responsible for facilitating a project and are involved in every stage of the television programme, film or
video, overseeing the project from beginning to end, both in the studio and on location.
Essentially team leaders, they are supported by production assistants, coordinators and managers, depending on the size of the
project.
8. Casting Director
In productions with lots of people, the casting director and his or her assistants may have to see thousands of people to fill hundreds of roles.
The CD usually gets some instruction from the director of the film, like “I need people who are between thirty and forty,” to have some
guidance on who best fits these roles. Essentially, the goal of the casting director is to find people who fit the director’s, and possibly the
producer’s, artistic vision. The CD watches auditions and makes final approval of talent before actors and actresses are offered roles in a
production.
Assistants for a CD often oversee the earliest stages of auditioning. If the assistants decide that a performer auditioning for a role may be
right for a part, then the person is given a callback; there may be several callbacks before a part is cast. Actors frequently go through
numerous casting calls, for a variety of roles, prior to receiving a part.
Screenwriting is an extremely competitive field.
9. Screen writer
Screenwriters create ideas and bring stories to life in scripts for feature films, TV comedy and drama, animation, children's programmes
and computer games. As a screenwriter, you might develop your own original ideas and sell them to producers. Alternatively, producers
may commission you to create a screenplay from an idea or true story, or to adapt an existing piece such as a novel, play or comic book.
Screenwriters create original scripts to be performed by actors for television and film. In addition to crafting the story and dialogue,
screenwriters also provide descriptions of setting, mood and character to give readers a visual impression of what the finished work might
look like on screen.
Screenwriting is an extremely competitive field.
10. Sound Operator
A utility sound technician, also referred to as sound assistant, sound maintenance or cable person is an assistant to both the production sound
mixer and the boom operator on a film or television set.Sound technicians are required to assemble, operate and maintain the technical equipment
used to record, amplify, enhance, mix or reproduce sound.They identify the sound requirements for a given task or situation and perform the
appropriate actions to produce this sound. Sound technicians of different types are required in a range of industries including film, broadcasting
(radio or television), live performance (theatre, music, dance), advertising and audio recordings
The specific activities carried out by a sound technician vary according to the sector in which they are employed.
Sound technician roles can be split into two categories:
● production - the recording of all sound on set or on location;
● post-production - the balancing, mixing, editing and enhancing of pre-recorded audio.
11. Camera Person
A camera operator is someone who records images that entertain or inform an audience. Camera operators capture a wide range of
material for TV shows, motion pictures, music videos, documentaries, and news and sporting events. Most work in the motion
picture industry or television broadcasting.
They must be able to multi-task, and to watch, listen and think on their feet while carrying out complex technical tasks. They
supervise Assistants in moving the camera and carry out simple camera fault diagnosis. They may work closely with performers,
giving them constructive advice in order to achieve the required composition.
Camera Operator is a senior role within camera departments, but precise responsibilities vary greatly depending on the type of
production. They operate one of several cameras capturing images at the same time (multi-camera shoots), which involves receiving
camera directions (usually over a headset) from the Director, who is based in a ‘gallery’ (production area) away from the location or
set. These directions will be about where to position the camera, and how to frame shots and move the camera during the recording.
Camera Operators must be able to translate these instructions into carefully framed and composed shots.
12. Editor
Editors work closely with the director of a film, mostly during post-production. During a film's production (the time when the actual filming
takes place) an editor may be given access to the material shot each day, known as dailies in the entertainment industry. This allows the
editor to note which shot takes and angles the editor may want to incorporate into the final cut of the movie.
Film editors must work well with teams, despite often working alone in dark rooms, looking over film footage. They need good eyesight and
creative sensibilities to do well in the profession. Their work hours can be irregular, inconsistent and driven by the needs of the projects on
which they work.
After all filming is complete, an editor typically works with the director in selecting which takes and shots from production are the most
consistent with the director's vision for the finished film. Film editors work long hours manipulating scenes with technical video editing
equipment and putting together preliminary versions of the film, known as cuts. These cuts are critiqued by the director, financiers and
sometimes the actors. The cuts are then revised until the final cut of the movie is ready for audiences.
