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The Film Industry

2.1 Explain the working culture of the film industry

 

Working in the film industry a one of a kind experience. In the film industry you can be a freelancer and work for different film companies to get the money. You could also just specialise in one role and work for a certain film company.

Working in the film industry as a freelancer can be unpredictable because it could could be hard to find a job because of the competition. This means that you might be searching for a long time and be waiting for opportunities to come up. Financially, working as a freelancer can be difficult because you might be poor for a certain period of time if you do not have a job or the film was not successful. But, you could also be very rich during another period because the film was very successful. When you are a freelancer you want to be skilled in more than one area of the film production.

If you specialise in one specific area in the film industry you could be a director, producer, editor, set designer, costume designer, sound effects specialist, sound specialist etc. In the film industry there is a lot of competition. Only the people who are really good at their role are chosen. So, if you specialise in one role you have to work hard to prove that you are the right candidate for the role. You have to get used to being rejected and still be able to be determined and have a lot of self-confidence.

When working on the set there are pressures that you have to deal with. First, the amount of time you have to work can be demanding because you have to wake up early and work for long hours everyday. Then, when you are working the amount of travelling you do is something you have to get used to. Sometimes the sets could be in one area and this makes it easier. Although, if certain scenes are in specific areas than you would have to travel abroad. This means you have to deal with jet lag and this could affect your performance. The type of budget the film is something to deal with. If you are on a low budget your creativity will be limited verses if you have a large budget and you have lots of options to develop your production. With a low budget you will have to work harder to make up for the things you do not have available. With a high budget you can use more technology that can make the process more efficient.

When you work in the film industry you have to have good teamwork skills. In the film industry everyone is part of a team, no one is working for themselves. Some good qualities to have while being part of a team are; good communication skills, time management skills, a positive attitude, patience and respect for others and being knowledgeable about your role.

In a team having good communication skills is important because everyone must know what is happening at all times. This prevents confusion during the process and keeps things organised so that there are few mistakes made resulting in a successful result. Having time management skills is very important because everyone must follow a schedule so that the pre-production and post-production processes take a reasonable amount of time so that the deadline is met. Meeting the deadline is important when working in the film industry because the film has to be available in the cinemas at a certain time. Some personal qualities that everyone should have while working in a team that make the process enjoyable is having a positive attitude, being patient and respectful to others and being knowledgeable about your role. In a team everyone is affected by other people’s actions. If you are smiling and enjoying the role you have chosen than other people around you will hopefully feel the same way. This creates a fun working environment. When working in a team everyone is different an had something unique to contribute. So, by being patient and respectful with each other everyone will get along in a safe environment. When you work in a team everyone has a role to play and so you must have the right knowledge in order to preform your role well so there are no problems that would affect the outcome.

I have learned a lot about the working culture of the film industry from the masterclasses and during the film making process. During the masterclasses I learned about the working culture in the film industry from the opinions of actual professionals. Some things that were mentioned about the working culture of the film industry were that you should always chase what you want to do and be open to outside advice and opportunities (Screenwriter/ Director, Theo Watkins), you have to be comfortable with people watching you (Actress, Mable), if people like your skills they will like you (Editor, Katie), seek people out and collaborate with others (Writer/Director, Varun Raman), have a specialisation that sets you apart from others (Content creator/ Filmmaker, Elias Williams), know what you want so it is easier for people to support you (Executive Producer, Nick Shearmen), have good communication skills and always ask for feedback and then listen to it (Talent Executive, Alice Cabanas) and its good to work with different age groups because you are exposed to different kinds of knowledge and that makes a stronger team (Cinematographer/ DOP Camera and Lighting, Louis Blystad-Collins).

While working on the film production what I learned about the working culture of the film industry is that you got to have patience because there will be a lot of waiting around before film takes, you got to be willing to ask questions if you do not understand something, give support to those who need it, have a good schedule in order to accomplish anything, know what your role is so that you do it right and can learn from your mistakes and it’s helpful to have a positive attitude when working because how you feel affects your performance.

2.2 Describe a range of key job roles and responsibilities in the film industry

There are many different jobs that are involved in the film production. These jobs include: Producer, Production Co-ordinator, Director, Director of Photograph, Production Manager, 1st Assistant Director, 2nd Assistant Director, 3rd Assistant Director, Sound Designer, Camera Operator, Grip, Camera Operator, Gaffer, Production Designer, Costume Supervisor/ Designer, Actors and Script Supervisor.

Five roles that fit together are Producer, Director, 1st Assistant Director (2nd AD, 3rd AD), Director of Photography, and Sound Designer.

First, the director is the person who is in charge of all the aspects of the making of the film. The director leads everyone involved in the film making process and controls all the steps that are taken to make the film. The Director controls the dramatic (acting), the visual (filming) and the verbal (script) roles. The producer is the person who controls the production process of the film.

Next, the roles of a Producer include: selecting the script, advising the writing of the script, the directing of the camera crew, the editors and taking care of the movie’s finances (the funding of the movie).

Then, the three Assistant Directors are the people who assist the director. Their main roles are: controlling the production schedule, being in charge of the logistics, making daily call sheets, overseeing the cast and crew, the business on set, and being in charge of the safety of the crew. The three assistant directors also have individual roles. The first assistant director is in charge of the things that happen on set. They are in charge of safety and security on set and making sure everything stays on schedule. The second assistant director is in charge of the daily call sheets and the production schedule. They are in charge of the things that happen back stage, behind the scenes (clothing, makeup, props) of the film making process. Lastly, the third assistant director is the person who coordinates with the first and second assistant directors. They are in charge of making sure that the actors get from back stage to the set. They also work with the production assistants.

Next, the Director of Photography is the person who helps the director to create the visual aspect of the film. They are in charge of directing the camera crew and overseeing the filming of the movie. The roles they do happen before and during the film production. They oversee the lighting, the filming the shot selection and the camera operating.

Lastly, the Sound Designer is the person who oversees the sound process in the movie. They are in charge controlling: sound effects, the sound playback equipment and the people in charge of the sound team.

As a team these five roles link together to form some of the most important jobs in the film production process. The Director is the most important job because they are the big boss, the one who leads the whole team. The Producer, the Director of Photography and the Sound Designer are the next three top roles because they answer to the Director. The three Assistant Directors only answer to the Director. Although, the 2nd and 3rd Assistant Directors answer to the 1st Assistant Director. Overall, all these roles depend on each other for support and guidance. If the Director is not cooperating and being a good leader than all the other roles will not work very well. The Producer, the Sound Designer, and the Director of Photography are all leaders of other roles. So, the overall production team is bigger.

Some important skills that everyone must have are: responsibility for their role, honesty, respect, organization, time management, cooperation and patience. These skills will help everyone get along and make the production process run smoother.

Here is a diagram that shows the relationship between the five roles (Producer, Director, 1st Assistant Director (2nd AD, 3rd AD), Director of Photography, and Sound Designer) I have talked about:

 

2.3 Potential progression routes into the film industry and wider sector

 

One progress route to get into the film industry is by learning (learn) (how to be a filmmaker).  In my group we researched the progress route: learn (learning). Here are some posters based on the research. You can learn about film-making by going to film school, taking an apprenticeship, and using resources like movies, YouTube tutorials, and books. You can also learn from simpler things like your mistakes or from asking knowledgeable people (mentor).

In a video that I made with a group of people, I talked about going to film school. I talked about a film school called Screenology. In this school you get an independent experience where you create your own films with state of the art equipment. Then, you can get feedback from mentors and learn from your mistakes to improve. Going to film school is a great way to learn about film making because you are learning from experts who know all about film making and will be there to support you and teach you the tips and information you need in order to make great films. Also, in film school you get to meet other people who have the same interest in film making. You can learn from the people you meet. The people you meet can become the people you collaborate with or gain support from when you make films.

What areas/specialisms in creative media would you like to work in?

I could like to work in film or television.

Would you like to further study film/ creative media?

Yes, I want to continue studying film.

What courses interest you? Give reasons

I would be interested in participating in the NFTS program (probably next year).

This is another great course like the BFI that would be a great experience.

Which local media companies would you be interested in working with? Give reasons

I would like to work for the BBC or ITV West Country in Bristol.

These are two well known companies that have produced a lot of interesting work and I’d like to be part of that.

What are the options for making your own content?

I have the opportunity to make my own films. I own the appropriate equipment.

What would you make and how?

I would make documentaries. Documentaries about interesting topics, people (living). How? With camera and microphones

Documentaries where I research and make a film about a person (who isn’t currently alive) or topic (historical event or topic). How? With camera and microphones or pictures and narration.

I would make  animated short films. Animated short films with fictitious characters. How? With clay figures, stop-motion animation with voice over. I would use a camera. 

I would make informational shows. Eg. Cooking show. How? With camera and microphones.  

What are the options for funding and distribution?

I currently do not know.

What networks will you join?

LinkedIn

What do you hope to gain from these networks?

I hope to find people that I can share my work with. Find people who also make films. Find employers.

Are there other opportunities you are interested in?

Besides, film making I am interested in becoming a historian for Early Modern History or Classical History. I am also interested in becoming an film/tv set designer or screenwriter.

What are your next steps?

Finish the BFI course.

Continue studying Film Studies,  Early Modern History and Fine Art at Sixth Form College.

Make films in my spare time.

Attend art classes outside of school (eg. clay sculpting class).

Get involved inn more film courses like BFI.

Then, go to university to study film-making or history (Early Modern or Classical) or art (sculpting,, set design) or screenwriting.

Find a job working in the film or tv industry or become a historian or become a set designer or screenwriting in the film or tv industry.

 

 

 

Learning from Masterclasses

Four people from the film/tv industry came to speak about themselves (their careers, how they became who they are today) and to give advice about entering into the industry (how to, what to expect and how to prepare).

Industry Speaker #1: Varun Raman is a writer and director for drama and short films.

Industry Speaker #2: Nick Shearmen is an award-winning Executive producer for factual TV and Documentaries.

 

Industry Speaker #3: Alice Cabanas is a Talent Executive for the BFI Film SW (South West).

 

Industry Speaker #4: Elias Williams is a content creator and filmmaker.

 

Comments

  1. Bex Rose

    Cora in your group research and personal progression plan you have identified potential progression routes. Well done 2.3 Outline the potential progression routes into the film industry and wider sector is now complete.
    You have also done some good research into various job roles in the industry, how they work together and what qualities are needed to perform these roles. 2.2 Describe a range of key job roles and responsibilities in the film industry is now also complete.

  2. Bex Rose

    Well done for completing this section Cora. You have provided plenty of good research that evidences you understand professional development opportunities within the film industry.
    If you are interested in doing more courses like this you should look at applying for one of the BFI residential’s next year. The animation residential would give you the opportunity to make more props. I can give you more info about this.
    Nice work!

    • Cora I

      After doing this course, I would love to do more like this. I need all the experience I can get. Animation is something that I would love to learn more about. It would be great to have info about that course, thanks.

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