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8.21.08
Yo,
Voting for the Best of Blogs has officially begun over in the forums, and will last until August 28th, be sure to (me) vote for someone (me) that you think deserves (me) a prominent spot on the site!!!!!!!
My last few blogs have gotten tremendous feedback and support, and have risen my average thumb/rating count by a greatly noticeable amount. So, I want to begin here today by expressing a deeply heartfelt thanks to all my friends here and their responses, in all their forms, to my work that I publish here. You guys are awesome sauce in a can.
Now, on to the meat of my topic here today. Some expressed an interest to my use of film set terms and explanations, so I am going to get you guys more on the level here with a glossary of terms used on and off set, just so you are not confused when I bring them up in my future blogs. Its a biggie today, so stay with me and let's talk movies.
To start this off, I'll list some jobs in both cast and crew, with general information filling out their description. For more detailed stats, do a search for the positions that interest (hehe, that can be construed as an innuendo) on either Wikipedia's list. Between the five films I have worked on, I have done pretty much all the jobs you can, not including those that require extremely specific knowledge. The positions are not listed in terms of exact hierarchy, but positions on the ladder are indicated if noteworthy. And of course this list may not be all inclusive, but its what I can give you, and it should be enough to get you through my later bitchings.
Director - The one we all know and want to be. The director is the ultimate supervisor of all the departments involved with production, and oversees everything from scripts to final cut. Although the actual amount of work done by the director is up to each person accepting the job. I'm pretty sure Ridley Scott puts more hours in than Uwe Boll...
Producer - Mel Brooks pretty much got it right. Aside from the famous task of getting the funds together for the film, the producer has input, directly beneath the director, in as many aspects of the production they are willing to put effort into. Second only to the director, the producer isn't required to work on the actual shots, as most of the work of the producer will be making phone calls and working out logistcial information.
Executive Producer - The safest position in Hollywood, if you got the cash. Literally, the sole requirement to obtain the title is to delegate sufficient funds to get a portion of the production completed. High profile directors like Spielberg are sought out for this credit, as not many people know what goes into the title, and believe them to give much more of an impact on the film as they do. They can give input on the film if they so choose, but few do.
Associate Producer - The highest position on the ladder I like to be. The A.P.'s job is to approve everything started in the production. Storyboards, script, casting, editing, marketing, etc. Nothing proceeds without AT LEAST this guy's approval, and with major productions taking the time of everyone higher up, the A.P. is the guy most of the crew looks up to.
Casting Director - One of my jobs on this film. The casting director selects a small percentage of the crew to accompany him during auditions (recommended 6, I usually have 2-3). Input can be taken from all sides, but the final decision to cast each and every role of both cast and extras falls on this guy.
Assistant Director (A.D.) - My other job on this project. The A.D. exists to aid the director in everything he needs. Usually for me that means literally following him around with a clipboard containing the schedule, storyboard, script, and all other pertinent information for his immediate use. The A.D. can also be delegated to other jobs around the set, including prepping actors and clearing things with the producer. But what the director says, the A.D. does. He will also be the person to be the in-between to the actors and director, giving direction and helping them with performance. On bigger shoots, like this one, the A.D. may have assistants, know as Second A.D., Third A.D., and so on.
Set Manager - This is guy that keeps the order once shooting begins, calling for quiet on the set and making sure all is prepared for the shot. Coordinates with the A.D., Production Manager, and Script Supervisor. This is who the director goes to if he needs something changed for the shot, or something goes wrong.
Production Manager - This person will be running from the set to the actor/crew rest area, making sure that all are on standby for any shots, and props/makeup/costumes are prepared as well. The leader of the P.A.s, if you will.
Art Director - Everything that goes into the frame of the shot, all the little odds and ends like lamps, books, tables, etc. are there because of this person. They will look at the storyboards and incorporate the necessary props and set dressings that help get the mood and atmosphere of the film across. Works deeply with the Director of Photography.
Director of Photography (D.P.) - This is the guy that works with the Storyboard Artist and Art Director to set up the exact shots of all the scenes in the film. He has the full right to manipulate the cameras involved in the production to his liking, as long as it follows what the director and writer's intentions on how they want the film to look.
Storyboard Artist - The guy that draws the storyboards under the direction of the writer and director.
Script Supervisor - This dude walks around the set with script in hand, making sure that actors follow along with their lines in the scene, or that any improvisation works with the general feeling of the lines. Also in charge, more importantly, in maintaining continuity in all the shots.
Makeup Designer - The person that coordinates and applies all the makeup to those appearing on screen. This involves having the actors in and working with their facial build to get them to appear as they do in the director's proposal. This may include lightening/darkening skin color, adding acne/scars/age spots/bags under the eyes and other blemishes, etc.
Hair Designer - The person that coordinates and applies any necessary extensions, dyes, or other effects to the hair of those appearing on screen, in order to appear as the director intends.
Costume Designer - The person in charge of creating/purchasing/mending all clothing appearing on those on screen, as the director wishes them to appear. Actor measurements are sent into the designer with final casting, and the costume designer often has the actors in to fit them for the shoot.
Props Supervisor - In charge of the inventory, storage, and disbursement of all objects not included in the costumes of those appearing on screen. They usually have a station near the rest area off set, close enough to rush on missing/forgotten props to actors if called by the Production Manager.
Chocolate syrup blood doesn't work as often as you think, not even in black and white
Special Effects Coordinator - This guy will be on set, prepared with his equipment to perform the necessary in-camera effects for the shot. This includes bloodwork, gun shot wound effects, pyrotechnics, etc.
some dude at the BBC working his post-production magick
Editor - This is the guy that takes all of the final footage and weaves it together to make the scene, sometimes taking shots taken over several different days and putting them together according to the scripts and storyboard. He often works with audio mixer and special effects editor to make the final build of the movie.
Sound Designer - This is the guy that makes all the lovely sounds you hear, that they cannot get from stock footage. They have to use inventive ways to recreate the exact noises they need for the scene at the exact pitch and tone for the shot.
a studio where both the Sound Designer and Mixer will create the needed noises for the film
Sound Effects Mixer - This guy takes the sounds made by the Sound Designer and edits them together with the footage from the film, synching it up to the action on screen, i.e. placing the sound of a watermelon being cracked with a hammer against a protagonist in a horror movie getting her leg snapped off.
King Kong was made entirely by these people
Visual Effects Supervisor - This guy has the rein of all the animators and technicans to make the pretty things that they couldn't make on set. This means CGI, digitally altering the image (like removing a zit on an actor's face) and all that jazz. I'm not going into great detail on the depths of CG and hand animation until I really experience it firsthand, as all I know of it right now is what I learned from the Walt Disney Treasures Series DVDs.
Camera Operators - The lackies of the D.P., these are the guys that physically move the camera in order to complete the shots listed on the storyboards.
Camera Assistants - The lackies of the lackies of the D.P. These are the guys that hold up the other end of the crane or push the dolly in order to help get the shot. Anything the camera operator needs, like extra camera batteries or more film stock, the camera assistant is there to help with.
Boom Operator - This is the guy you see on a lot of behind the scenes photos, holding the giant stick with the soft thing on the end. This allows for sound within the scene to be picked up regardless of camera positions. They have to be careful, as boom appearances in the shot are the most often cause of retakes.
Audio Mixer - Both on and off set, this guy monitors the sound. He has to watch for outside sounds like airplanes and animals that might interrupt the shot, and make sure actor's lines are heard. Once in post-production, the Mixer takes the best spoken line and matches it up with the best physical acting in each take, and integrates the work of the sound designer/mixer into the final footage.
Composer - This person creates all the original, un-licensed music for the movie.
Stunt Choreographer Jeremy Fry
Choreographer - This guy is responsible for mapping out and directing all of the dancing/fighting/movement/stunts of the scene. They often work with stunt doubles that replace the actors for certain shots to perform feats the actors themselves are not licensed to do.
Gaffer - This is the dude that physically holds up the lights during the shot, and it is the most demanding job on set. If the light isn't mounted, it means that you'll be holding up a 30 pound, hot device for 12 hours. Really great bicep workout. Also the name of a really strong tape used on set.
Production Assistants - The lowest job on the ladder. These are the minions of most of the non-directorial jobs on set, being set to and fro to get water, props, sunscreen, talk to actors, set up meetings, get waivers signed etc. Its not the most glamourous job, but its where you start, and you can rise quickly, and its decent pay to start out with.
Actors - Do I need an explanation here? They take direction from the A.D. and Director and perform the lines as dictated by the shots and storyboards, creating realistic portrayals to create realism to engage an audience. There is usually a lead actor(s) and supporting actor(s) defined by the amount of screentime.
Extras - Non-speaking, background roles; paid less but with longer hours. Its a hard life, but its how actors start.
Movie Terminology - Production
Pre-Production - What goes on before the cameras start rolling: casting, writing, storyboarding, getting funds and a crew together, etc. This lasts anywhere between a few weeks to half a year, depending on how specific the director wants it to be, and how big the production.
Production - Actual filming of the movie. Usually lasts between 2-9 months depending on length and specifics of the film. Shorts, like ours, take much less than a few weeks.
Post-Production - Everything after principal photography has wrapped. This includes editing, audio mixing, sound design/mixing, scoring, visual effects editing, etc.
Principal Photography - The extent of the initial filming of the movie. This concludes when all of the shots from the storyboard have been filmed to the director's wishes, and production may move onto post. Actors may be called back for secondary photography if new shots need to be incorporated or old shots did not come out right.
Screenplay - This is the final shooting script for the movie. Based off the initial treatment which contains the basic outline of the scenes with a bit of stage direction.
Stage Direction - Descriptions of movements taken by the actors/cameras within a scene.
Camera Pan - A slow movement of the camera in any of the four directions, meant to follow along or indicate the movement of the actors or of the scene.
Camera Tilt - A jerk off the camera in one of the four directions, indicates a loss of center and a sense of imbalance/unease in the scene.
this is not what ours looks like, but its a good example
Tripod - A four-legged standing device that keeps the camera even and steady. Used for shots that want to keep the viewer feeling as though she/he is in the scene.
this isn't ours either, but we have on similar to this
Crane - A see-saw esque device used to allow the camera to go high up and get larger, wider shots of the scene, more intense to look at. A crane shot is usually used at the beginning and/or end of the scene, to give the viewer a view of both the action and surrounding set. The crane is weighted on one end in order to give it enough force to keep the camera up in the air.
again, not ours, but it gives you the idea
Dolly - A wheeled device, usually incorporated with a tripod to steady the camera, this usually allows for the camera to follow along with actors/scene in a smooth, non-jarring way, in order to keep the scene looking smooth and crisp. Gives an enhanced version of a camera pan effect.
Spider Brace - A shoulder mounted device that is six-legged, allow for the camera to be on the person of an operator without a lot of juggling of the actual shot. Used to follow along with actors in tighter focus. Sometimes higher/slower speeds are incorporated, the slight movement of the camera adding to the scenes effect.
Handheld - Exactly what it sounds like. Usually a lower quality camera that is held only by the hands of the operator, used to give a sense of immediate action and shaky movement to intense moments in the scene. Think, Blair Witch Project.
Clapboard - The funny looking black and white board you see in the behind the scenes videos, where the guy steps in front of the camera and snaps the board after listing the shot and take, which are also listed on the board itself. This is done so editors and directors can easily cut to the scenes and takes they like/need, without having to sift through all the footage. Either the A.D. or script supervisor has these honors.
Take - A single attempt to capture a shot of a film. If interrupted by something or the performance of the actors/crew is not sufficient, another take is done. Directors will often do multiple takes even if everything is fine, just in case.
Shot - The continuous motion of the camera before cutting. Scenes are made up of many shots.
Cut - Where the camera goes from one shot to another, usually within the same scene.
Jump Cut - A cut that interrupts the action of a scene. For instance, if a girl is walking to a car, and the camera suddenly cuts to her at the car, getting rid of all the movement in between. I may do more on cuts later, if I talk about them in a varied way
Stunts - Feats that require special training/procedures to use in the shot. Aka, leaping off a building, diving under a moving truck, etc. Requires a license to legally perform.
Pyrotechnics - Explosions, electricity shocks, anything that includes things that go boom. This requires a pyrotechnics license to legally do.
Auditions - Whereby perspective cast members come in and read lines similar to their roles, and their performance/look is taken into account on what the picture needs.
Callbacks - When actors that the casting director liked/isn't sure about, are brought back in for a second audition/read, to clarify a casting choice.
Set - The place made up to be shot in, with all the cameras, actors, and props needed to get the scene filmed.
Storyboard - Originally invented by Walt Disney and his team to help with their animated features, storyboards were brought in shortly after for all film projects. It is a sequence of images that represent the placement and angle of the camera's point of view, with movement and specific actions indicated by arrows. Each image represents one shot, and a film can have upwards of thousands of individual storyboard pictures. These are given to the D.P. in order to be replicated on set.
This is all I can think of right now. If I add more during this shoot, which I most likely will, I'll let you know on my current blog what was updated here.
Diary of an A.D. - Day Two
Production meeting today, yay. Lasted for about two hours. Pretty much making sure of prop lists and stuff for tomorrow's set makeup day, were we go up before the actual shoot on Friday and literally set everything up to have a good start. I copped out on that one, might be going down to Irvine to check out some college stuff. Introduced my assistant A.D. to everyone today, so that was nice. Was lent some money to get something decent to eat for once. Not much else in that regard, was watching videos on GT for most of the time. Saw the Heavy Rain footage, YAY!!!! It looks fucking awesome!
- My new roommate, Phoebe, is a neat freak. It always makes me feel bad, sitting down on my ass whilst she faffs around randomly scrubbing and dusting. I offer to help, but she politely refuses....not that my lazy ass is complaining...but still.
- Turns out the kid that was caught meddling with my AC unit outside was releasing the compressed air inside in order to huff it for a high. This caused the AC unit to work harder to compensate for the lost air, which made my utility bill noticeably higher. The little cockmelon....
- Got some money today, reparations for my other roommate's daughter raising an 88 dollar charge on my cell phone through texting alone. So, going use that for groceries and supplies. Adds a little bit of happiness to the equation.
- Got into Showtime's TV series, Rome recently. A very good, deep, and gaudy show, if a bit historically inaccurate. It gets my recommendation to any that want to see it.
- I'm starting to grow fond of Phoebe's little yappy dog, even if it goes against my creed. She's a little sweetheart when she isn't barking her head off when anyone with a penis walks in the room. Thankfully she seems to have gotten used to mine, which means I get to pet her without her tearing my hand off.
- I'm considering porting over my blog/writing new blogs over at Screwattack in addition to my work here. It seems like a nice community, although I'm unsure of the direct benefits, and if it'll be worth the move. Lemme know what you think in the comments!
- As always, check out my best friend for-longer-than-forever, Bennett the Sage's, pad here on TWTG, or be checking out his funny stuff on Youtube or alongside myself on Gamepartisan
- TVShack has all the awesome connections for some great TV/Movies/Documentaries/etc. streamed online, gimme a glimpse.
- Another entry into my collection of awesome Abridged Series on Youtube is Megami33's Sailor Moon Abridged. You may not like the series, and it has the worst opening of any abridged series ever made, but once you get into it, you'll find yourself excited as hell with each new episode.
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