Materials
Materials are seen as any physical or digital artefacts used within a production. This covers a wide range of resources.
Types of materials include things such as the internet, forms of audio, costumes, graphics etc.
Nick Robatto made all the in house props for Doctor Who alongside other bbc productions. For example, he made the sonic screwdrivers. They need to be maintained on set and there are 4 different screwdrivers on set.
Another famous ‘in house prop’ was one of Luke Skywalker's lightsabers which was made out of old camera and calculator parts.
Producing props in house could be seen as advantageous. Due to the fact that it can save so much money on production. Furthermore, being made in house also allows a personal touch to be made to the props. Producers and directors can also work far closer with the prop master if they are built in house.
A prop is considered to be anything movable or portable on a stage or on set. It originated in the theatre.
A prop master, runs the property department, which revolves around making, storing and transporting props as well as preparing them for the next day. They are in charge of recruiting specialists to make the specific props. When filming finishes, it is their task to put props up for sale, as well as disposing of others.
Not hiring a master with enough experience could mean that the wrong props are produced for the film. They might also not have as many contact links, meaning that they may find the specific props needed to make an effective film.
Being a prop master requires excellent knowledge. They must be able to work well with others as well as having excellent repair and maintenance skills as well as having great independent skills.
They will usually be involved in the use of power tools as well as hiring buying and repairing props.
Props are vital to any type of production. They add an extra dimension to a film, as well as giving the audience more knowledge on a character or group.
Not allocating enough time to the creation of props might mean that they are not up to the standard that the film wants. This has an overall negative effect and can make the film look less realistic. If not enough time is allocated to securing the props, then the correct props may not be found and lesser versions may have to be bought.
Costume design involves the appearance of a character or performer by what they wear. Costumes give more to a character and can reflect a certain style or time period.
Angels Costumes, is the largest privately owned collection of costumes for productions.
They have assisted productions such as Bohemian Rhapsody, Peaky Blinders and Dads army amongst others.
A costume designer will help design create and hire costumes. They need to be extremely creative for this role as well as being organised.
Not hiring an experienced designer could mean that the costumes that are made may not represent the character well. Not allocating enough time to making and hiring these costumes, could result in the costumes not being right for the character or could be the wrong size, affecting the overall look of the film.
A film archive, is a widespread collection of films usually in one particular place, or grouped together.
An example of a film archive would be the BFI National Archive. They look after and preserve productions, to be enjoyed by future generations.
The imperial war museum is another example of an archive. They have over 23,000 hours of war material, starting from World War 1.
Using stock footage may save time and money, and therefore, not utilising archived footage may mean that the film could go over budget. However a sufficient amount of time must be allocated to looking and researching archived footage due to the fact that the footage must somewhat mirror the film. If this isn't true and there is no match, there could be a lack of continuity, affecting the overall look of the film.
Stock photography, is the archival, and usage of photographs from a previous time.
The BBC Photo Library is the place to find all previous BBC copyright images which are available to be licensed by digital and media companies.
Not allocating enough time to secure photographic images might mean that they cannot be secured during production, and backup images might have to be used, or a specific segment may have to be cut out.
The BBC sound archive, might be utilised during the research stage of a film, to give the crew more information of a particular time period. For example the music at the time, or speeches from the past.
Purchasing sound library material with save a production a lot of time and money due to the fact that the sounds are already made.
Having access to a sound library will save a lot of time in film production. This is very significant due to the fact that the production stage has very tight deadlines. Research must be conducted during the pre-production phase to put everything in place for production, as well as finding the right sounds for the production. If this work is not undertaken, then the crew must make their own sounds which may make the film less realistic.
The internet is becoming more and more pivotal for productions due to the amount of copyright free recordings as well as archived footage and stock photography, which could save a production company hundreds, if not thousands of pounds. Not undertaking enough research on the internet during pre production, could cost it lots of time and money.
ACME GRAPHICS have served productions such as the mighty boosh as well as the Sun. Their graphics are mainly used for publicity. To produce graphics you must be very creative.
In film, graphics involves everything that is made off screen. It can also be a form of advertising.
A digital asset is anything that exists within a binary form that has a right to use.
Management of digital assets can greatly help a production. Poor asset management will have a massive negative effect on a production. This may mean that it is highly disorganised resulting in deadlines not being met as well as production possibly being delayed.
Animatics are important during pre production due to the fact that they can be made, and translated onto a computer quickly and effectively. 2D animatics can be drawn on a special tablet, which can then be transferred straight to the computer. This can save a lot of time, and not investing in this technology could cause the production to fall behind deadlines.
If a music clearance is not secured during pre production, terms may not be available. This could delay the production if not secured, as well as music, which may not be up to the same standard may have to be used.
If interviews are not conducted during pre production, some knowledge, and experience might be lacking. Especially in films and documentaries that will require experts to help with or tell a part of a story.
There are many different sources for materials. However the safest option would be going with companies that the director and producer have previously worked with, then if not that going with well known and highly rated and experienced companies.
This is vital to be done in pre production due to the fact that it saves a lot of hassle and will also have everything in order prior to production.
The sources used will all depend on the budget that the film has, for example, a high budgeted film will want to use top of the range material companies which have the best quality. On the other hand lower budgeted films may have to use lesser known companies with a possible lower quality which may affect the look of the film.
A Film Clearance is gaining access and permission to every part of the film. Eg locations, sets, stock photography, sound etc. This all revolves around copyright.
An attorney must be provided with an annotated script or storyboard.
Property, people and locations are all types of clearances that are required.
These clearances should be obtained during pre production.
The cost is subject to copyright and the amount of things that are needed.
A response is usually within 10 days to get these clearances.
Public domain work is not required as a clearance.
Not securing clearances in time will mean that the production will fall behind affecting the quality of it.
