Personnel

Actors

On a big or medium budgeted film, that requires a large number of key personnel. A casting director would probably be utilised to find the most effective actors for their parts of the story.

For some films, scripts are based on or around specific actors. They might go along with this idea from a very early age. And sometimes directors will ask a particular actor to fill out a particular key role.

It is essential that actors can represent the ideas and emotions that the director and producer want from their cast to portray their specific character that the directors want.

Actors must have a wide range of skills, either learned or naturally. It is vital that actors have skills like memorization and teamwork, as they will be working with a wide range of people, mostly people that they have never met, furthermore they must be required to remember their lines as well as have good improvisation skills for when things do go wrong, especially in live acting. What could be seen as top of the list of many casting directors sheets when scouting actors, is their creativity. This furthers the character as well as showing off their emotions. Not hiring actors with these skills will have a massive negative effect on the overall production. They are vital to the production, as really good actors will be able to build a bond between character and audience far easier. Well-known actors will also bring in far more commercial success.

Casting Process

The casting process begins with the producer and director writing up the role descriptions. These descriptions will then be passed onto talent agents, who in turn will find one of their clients to fit the description that the director and producer wants. Head shots of potential actors will then be sent, which will then be reviewed by the casting team, and will then ask for a potential audition. These auditions will be taped, and then reviewed at a later date . People who have made it through the first round of auditions will then return for a callback audition. These will then be taped again, and then reviewed once again by the casting director and crew. This is then repeated until every position is found out. 

Not allocating enough time for the casting process could lead to the wrong actors being casted for the wrong roles. Furthermore, not as many auditions will be able to be reviewed, meaning that there is a smaller pool of actors to choose from. Not beginning the process early enough could  mean a lesser number of auditions, as well as not as many actors being put forward. Not hiring a casting director with sufficient experience could mean that they may not know what type of actor they're truly looking for which could affect the overall film.

An extra is usually in the background of a scene and normally will have a non-speaking role. They are essential for giving a film a more realistic feel.

A company like the casting collective can help on a production where lots of extras are required due to the fact that they have such a wide net of people. And therefore can fit a good number in almost any type of film. They will also have a lot of experience. Using a company like this in pre production gets a lot of trouble out of the way, before production begins. 

Contributors

Specialists- Known for their high levels of skill in a particular area. Often hired to oversee technical operations, and train others to improve their skill sets.

Production Specialists- Usually recruited in order to head a type of production work requiring very high levels of skill.

Experts-  Utilised in order to make sure that certain people and groups are represented accurately.

Talent- The specialist performers, who are cast in principal roles as well as having a celebrity status. Have very high skill levels due to years of practice and many principal roles in the past.

Public- Sometimes, the public may be asked and acquired to play a key role in production, for example being a part of big ‘crowd scenes’.

Personnel

Personnel Logistics

The crewing of a production is crucial to the overall success of the film.

A well crewed production will run on time, secure all the required footage and stay within budget. On the other hand a poorly crewed production may run over time, not manage to secure all the required shots and may go over budget.

On a big budget production, role will be filled by specialists and seasoned professionals.

For example a make-up artist who works on big productions will usually only ever work in that particular role.

On a medium budget film crew will be slightly scaled down from the big budget production, but crew roles will still be filled by experienced professionals.

On a low budget production, the people in the production crew will have varying levels of experience, but will invariably have completed training and have some degree of set experience.

On a micro budget production, the people in the production crew may have to double up or triple up on roles. People will often be recruited for having multiple skills and general versatility. 

Producers hiring a team will:

Firstly they will try to re-employ previously hired crew, whose artistic and key technical skills have already been put to the test and who have established already that they have excellent time management and team building skills on previous productions.

Secondly, look and focus on recommendations through critical acclaim, as well as people who have won awards on other productions.

Thirdly, rely on recruitment agencies, production databases and crew CVs.

Job Roles Task

Producer- The financial, practical and creative head of the film. Involved from a very early part of the process, they are the main decision makers involved in the making of the production, they will usually be the ones who come up with the idea. They are also the problem solvers, and may also look at potential places for filming. They are in charge of looking after the health and safety of the crew. Ultimately in charge of the production. Without a good producer, deadlines may not be met.

 Director- The creative leads of the film. Usually works with the script writer, and will normally have the role of providing creativity to the production. They will also work with multiple other departments, for things like casting, lighting, wardrobe etc. Without a good director, a script may lack creativity and becoming boring for the viewer and possibly not generate as much income.

 1 st Assistant Director-  In charge of planning the filming schedule as well as working with various other departments in order to produce an effective shoot. During production, they are in charge of managing the set, and are therefore very important in ensuring crewmember safety on set, safety is incredibly important on a film shoot, as if the assistant director doesn’t ensure this accidents may happen.

Production Manager - In charge of carrying out decisions that have been made. Managing the production, and keeping it on target is also vital. Known as a ‘go to person’ for any on set problems. They are important to the production, as without them, more and more on set problems will occur without an answer to solve them.

Location Manager - In charge of finding a location to carry out filming at. They will scout a location that is; accessible, safe and secure. Furthermore they will also carry out risk assessments. During filming, they will look after and maintain this location. Without a location manager, the correct locations may not be found, affecting the overall look of the film.

 Assistant Location Manager- Will prepare movement orders and assist with scouting or additional locations by researching, photographing, and making appointments to meet with owners and residents. Without them, there will be a lot of disorganisation.

  Production Designer - Creates the way a film or tv drama looks. Often working alongside the visual department, they will create the place that the film is set in. They will also create a budget that they need. Without a good production designer, a place may not look as realistic.

 Property Master - Makes, stores and transports the props for each days shoot. Usually involved within the pre production phase in order to get everything ready for filming. In charge of recruiting people who will make the props. Also look into sourcing and buying these props. Without a prop master, the film may not contain the correct, most effective props for filming, affecting the overall visual. 

 Prop Maker-  

 Construction Manager - Looks after the building of studios and sets, making them look as realistic as possible. Without them, a poor set might be made, and have a negative affect on the overall look of the film. Also having an impact on the hiring of the workforce. Responsible for buying the necessary materials.

 Director of Photography-  Photographic heart of a production. In charge of creating the overall look of the film. Heavily prominent within the lighting and camera department. Will oversee the lighting of the set. Without them, a film may not achieve the look it was aiming for.

 Camera Operator- Capture the shots, making sure all the equipment is set up properly and ready to use. The shots that are required may not be captured by an inexperienced or not very good operator.

Art Director- Critical to the pre production phase due to the fact that they are the ones that look at constructing and decorating sets. Without them, sets may not look as good, affecting the overall look of the film.

Assistant Art Director-  Helps the art director with research, as well as producing sets. May take responsibility for smaller sets. Utilised in order to speed up the process as well as being second in line to the art director.

Costume Supervisor- 

Costume Designer- Involved in the designing, creation and hiring of costumes for a cast. Often working very close with people who are very high up, in order to contribute to the look and storytelling of the film. Also will look at budgeting. Vital for production, as costume can tell so much more about a character, and without a specific designer, there might may not be as much of an understanding

Costume Assistant- Research costume style and designs. Also manage the budget as well as  overseeing fittings.

 Make-Up & Hair Designer- Used in pre production, working closely with the director, in order to find out and research the specific styles that each character will have in each scene. One of the first people on set in order to get all actors ready, and will be on set throughout the day maintaining their look. Without them, the film may not achieve the look it was going for.

Sound designer- 

Supervising sound editor- Create the overall soundtrack for the production, as well as looking at what type of sound/noise best suits the films mood. Without it the mood may not be achieved.

 Script Supervisor- As films are hardly ever shot in chronological order, it is vital that a script supervisor is used to check that each scene can be edited and still makes sense by the end of filming. They will keep a progress report of the days filming, meaning that editors can find what's been shot and when. Without them the production would be incredibly disorganised.

Storyboard Artist -

Introduction to Unit 4 A1 Report

Short and Feature length films

A short film is considered to be a film that is under 40 minutes in running time. In contrast a feature film is a film that is considered to be the sole film to fill a program. It must be over 40 minutes running time and is usually between 75 and 120 minutes.

I am going to be making and focussing on the short film form. A short film, must feature a run time of under 40 minutes in order to be eligible for the shorts category at the annual Academy Awards. Short films vary drastically in length, and different film festivals classify a short as different times, e.g London is anything less than 40 whilst cannes is anything less than 15 minutes. Short films are somewhat like feature lengths through that they follow a storyline and the three act structure however this is condensed and in far less detail than that of a feature length film. A key difference between short form and feature film is crew size. A short film production will regularly feature a bare boned ‘skeleton crew’. This is due to the fact that they have a far lower budget, and can therefore not be able to fill all the roles that a far bigger budget would be able to. They will also have limited access to equipment and facilities due to this lower budget. This may mean that the film may not reach its full potential due to its low budget. In extreme cases, some positions will be filled by members who are already doing other jobs, furthermore actors may not be paid, due to the low budget, however will agree to act due to the platform it places them on to to rise to the top. Due to the short timing of a short form film, a relationship between character and audience must be formed almost immediately, in order to gain a better understanding. Therefore they must really have to get to the core of the character due to the fact that there isn't much time, this will make the film far more successful. Furthermore, shorts will not feature many characters due to the fact that there isn't enough time to build a relationship. In contrast, feature length films have no problem with this. They have far longer to build a relationship between audience and character, and therefore can feature more characters for the audience to relate with as there is more time to.

Pre Production definition

Pre production consists of everything that is needed to be put in place, before filming commences. It begins with the initial idea, and finishes when filming begins. It is the first part of making a film, followed by production, and post production. Pre production is vital for the film due to the fact that it puts such emphasis on getting everything needed for a successful shoot. Timescales must be put in place and deadlines must be met in order for this to be effective, and a high quality film. Not meeting deadlines will delay production, and could also affect the overall look of the film.

Private funding

The private sector is made up of businesses or corporations owned by people. Businesses compete with one another and will often put things on sale due to the fact that it needs to win competition for every dollar in order to stay open. This sector is mainly focussed on making a profit. Private finance sources include, Creative England who will bring great experience and look for commercial and financial success. Due to this, privately funded films usually have far higher budgets than that of a publicly funded film.

Public Funding

The public sector is places/ companies that are run by the government. It uses tax services for funding.The government decides what tax money should be spent on in the public sector. The public sector is therefore focussed on general purpose and providing service to citizens. Due to this service can often be poor and at a higher cost when public, compared to good service and lower cost in the private sector. Politics can have a huge impact on the public sector due to the fact that the government are the ones who decide what to do with the tax money. The national lottery as well as kickstarter are examples of public finance and will usually fund up and coming filmmakers who have a low budget. Public funding looks at getting directors and films noticed to go on to bigger and better things. This looks for critical acclaim and success and not financial.

Availability of personnel

Availability of personnel looks at every cast and crew member, that is needed within the process of making a film. There are multiple different groups that are involved in the making of film throughout pre production,production and post production. For example, you will have a location team who will scout out locations for the film to be made during the pre production phase. A lighting team are vital during the production stage due to the fact that they can change the look of a film. In the post production stage, an editing team will put all the film together. Directors will usually cast people with experience, in order to make their film look as best as possible. Not securing key personnel might mean that crew members may have to fill in multiple roles, or people with less experience may have to be utilised or worse case scenario, the role might have to be left vacant. This may not let the film reach its full potential.

Availability of equipment

Availability of equipment, looks at all the equipment that is needed in order to produce a successful shoot. This equipment is usually hired from various firms and companies unless it is already owned by the production company. If the right equipment is not secured then the film may not achieve the look that it targeted. 

Deadlines

Deadlines are the timeframes that must be met to complete an action successfully. In film, there could be deadlines for things such as a calendar, casting, assembling of crew, script breakdowns etc. In pre production, the calendar deadline must be met before filming even begins. This is due to the fact that it puts a distinct plan in place and will also lead to the creation of call sheets which will tell everyone where to be and when. The production and actual filming of a film cannot take place until pre-production has been successfully carried out and completed. Another key deadline, is the planning and assembling of meetings.

Communication between crew members is vital to the pre-production of a film as if there is more communication, things will not be carried out as effectively, and deadlines may not be met. This therefore will have a negative effect on the overall production on the film.  Not meeting deadlines will put everyone out of the loop and not in sync with one another. This could mean that people may not be on set when needed, and therefore a scene cannot be shot that day. Furthermore, if the shooting schedule is not made or produced in time, the whole film will be behind. If location deadlines are not met and secured, then pivotal scenes may have to be filmed somewhere else in a place that may not have as much meaning as the original. If Deadlines are met, then the film will be successful. 

Film production vs Radio Production

Radio production begins with mind maps, these help brainstorm the initial idea, which differs from scripts and storyboards being used for film. A radio production does not feature as many crewmembers as that of a film production, It will feature a main presenter, who will control the radio desk possibly alongside a producer.  It will also feature multiple guests and might even be performed live, which is a stark contrast to most films and tv programmes. It may also feature a sound editor. In contrast a film crew will feature far more people due to the production size. Much like the pre-production of films, a radio production features a risk assessment (call sheet)Potential hazards must be looked at, and like during film production, every member must be given a sheet with information relating to timings,  fire exits, local shops etc. A schedule must also be made to provide essential timings for both of these.