Task 2 Unit 8
- 1. Unit 8 Task 2 Lauren Rosenfeld & Ben Karrass
- 2. Director In the film industry, the director is responsible for several aspects of the film, and these ultimately decide whether it is a success or failure. They are responsible for translating the film's written script into actual images and sounds on the screen. The director may write the script themself, or hire a screenwriter to write it for them. Once a script is completed, the director must develop a vision of what the film will look like and how they can achieve this. Directors are involved in all stages of production for a film. During pre-production, the director is responsible for location scouting, the budget, casting and attending several meetings. During production their primary focus on set is what's happening in front of the camera, as well as technical aspects of filming including sound, lighting and production design. During post-production the director works closely with the editor, VFX supervisor, sound designer and composer. The director will also be working with studio executives and producers to make sure everyone is satisfied with the final product. They may also take part in press tours and any related marketing of the film. LR
- 3. Director There are many successful directors within the film industry. For example, Steven Spielberg, who has directed films such as Schindler's List (1993), which won 7 Oscars, and Saving Private Ryan (1998), which won 5 Oscars. Another successful director in the TV industry is Miguel Sapochnik, who has directed episodes of Game of Thrones and Iron Fist. To become a director, no formal qualifications are needed. However, there are several courses available to study the craft of directing, and the role can only really be mastered through practical experience. For example, directing your own short film acts as a good starting place. A director will also need certain characteristics, which include organisational and planning skills, the ability to make decisions quickly and having leadership and motivational skills. http://creativeskillset.org/job_roles/758_director LR
- 4. Director Industry experience; up-to-date knowledge of filmmaking techniques and equipment, as well as learning how to work with actors to create a performance are skills learnt through experience on a film set. Many begin work experience as a runner on a film set or in a production office before working their way up through entry-level positions over several years. Through work experience, individuals are able to observe successful directors working, and create networks with professionals in the industry. The network built alongside a developing CV enables individuals to branch out to look for work elsewhere in the industry. Production runners work on a variety of projects, from reception duties to going on ‘runs’, and can gain experience very quickly. They can then move to an office PA and after a few years of experience - production secretary. From here, people can move their way up the career ladder to assistant production coordinator, production coordinator, production supervisor and so on. https://www.myfirstjobinfilm.co.uk/resources/careers-guide/detail?page_id=1 LR
- 5. Director The working hours for a director will often be long and irregular, and may include evenings and weekends. The nature of film production means that filming can take place at any time of the day. Conditions may also vary, from working in a film or TV studio, on location or overseas. Directors are paid on a film-by-film basis, and how much they earn depends on the type of films that they work on. Directors can earn anywhere between £10,000 (for a short film) and upwards of £1,000,000 (for an internationally successful feature film). More established directors take a percentage of what the film earns at the box office, rather than receiving a set fee. This can be a profitable way of getting paid, especially if the film is successful at the box office. Film directors must be aware of legal constraints, such as health and safety, where they are required to have a management system in place to control the risk to employees and others from their work. Potential hazards are outlined through the use of a risk assessment. Another law directors must abide by are labor laws, particularly child labour laws. For example, under 18s must not work more than a certain amount of hours. Labour law defines your rights and obligations as workers and employers. The EU labour laws, include working conditions, which must be socially acceptable for employees or contractors to work, and individuals can't work more than 48 hours a week on average. https://www.allaboutcareers.com/careers/job-profile/film-director LR
- 6. Producer A producer has overall control of everything that happens in the film’s production they are working on. A producer would get all of the crew together at times to approve the production team and see what is happening with the current production. The producers key responsibility is to create an environment where the cast and crew's talent can grow and develop further. They would always make sure everything and everyone is on task and ready for the deadline. The producer would also steer the film from beginning to completion. The producer is usually the first person to get involved in the project and would come up with the ideas for the production. They also secure the rights, choose the screenwriter and editing story team, develop the franchise and supervise the development process. When the production is done and it moves onto post production, it is the producer's job to make sure all the financial standards are ok, the distribution companies are ready to distribute the film and any marketing techniques used to spread the film worldwide. http://creativeskillset.org/job_roles/757_producer BK
- 7. Producer During pre production, as a producer you would get together the key members of the creation team this includes the director and other key cast members. They also raise money for the production until they have enough money for their initial finance. Once they have the money for their production they select other key production office personnel and heads of departments. Producers approve of the important things to make the production. These include, certain filming locations, studio hire, the final finished script, production schedule and budget. When more money and time is put into the pre production stage, this can reduce time and money wasting when it comes to the production getting underway. Once the film is underway the producer's job is to make sure that everyone is doing the right thing, the producers usually communicate with the crew members on and off set to make sure everything is ok. This is an example for a company looking for a new producer found on the site Glassdoor. https://www.glassdoor.co.uk/Job/producer-jobs-SRCH_KO0,8.htm BK
- 8. Producer To become a producer you would need experience in both the creative and business sides of film and programme making. In film, you would usually start as a runner when becoming a producer, and then you would start to work your way up to a production coordinator, line producer and then line producer manager. You would then process your way through being 3rd, 2nd and 1st assistant director. For TV you could start off as a runner or a production assistant and work your way up, or even progress through production office role. Both TV and film are similar. There are no specific qualifications for becoming a Producer but if you are going to take a film course in higher education you can get a degree that will prepare you for a career in film. An example of a film producer is George Lucas, who created the film franchise of Star Wars, he also managed to direct these films too. He has won over 50 awards in his career. Characteristics to be good at the role include having a good business sense, understanding of finance, a creative vision, be self- motivated, good at negotiating, good at motivating people, problem-solving, understanding the creative processes of filmmaking, secure finance for the production and be able to prepare and control the production budget. https://nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk/job-profiles/tv-or-film-producer BK
- 9. Producer Being a Producer means that you may need to work during unsociable hours and on weekends. Sometimes Producers need to attend meeting and this can last for hours. Career breaks may create difficulties because of the competitive nature of the industry, they also need to keep up to date with the changes with the network. Producers starting salaries start from around £18,000- £25,000 for assistant producers. When you start to have a bit more experience as a producer your salaries will rise and you can start to earn around £40,000- £55,000 per year. When you become a department head you can earn £60,000- £80,000 per year, you can also earn from benefits too. For freelancers their salary can vary depending on the experience you have as being a producer and whether you work on TV or with Films. Salaries can also differ depending on the company size and how popular the company is, and depending on how big the project they are producing is. The producer has to always follow the law of copyright and how they should avoid it for their products. This can include making sure that all the audio used is not someone else's and made by the people who work on the film. Another thing they need to make sure they don't do is use images and videos that they don't have permission to use because this can end up making their content and products copyrighted. Another law is that they need to make sure that whoever the producers may film they must have permission from that person, this also applies for filming buildings too, the buildings also need permission to be filmed. Lastly the producers must give the crew the right pay and should not go below the minimum wage. BK
- 10. Screenwriter Screenwriters create screenplays for films. Screenplays set out how the film works on screen. The screenwriter must produce highly creative writing to strict deadlines. They work closely with a script development team to create a finished product. Sometimes producers hire an additional Screenwriter to improve certain aspects of the screenplay. In this case, the Screenwriter shares a credit with the original Screenwriter. Screenwriters are almost always freelancers, and pitch their original ideas to Producers to be sold. Or they are commissioned by a Producer to create a screenplay from a concept, true story, existing screen work or a novel, poem, play, comic book or short story. Woody Allen is a famous screenwriter, who has produced several classic films, such as Annie Hall (1977) and Manhattan (1979). Vince Gilligan is another famous screenwriter, for TV. He is most famous for producing episodes of Breaking Bad. http://creativeskillset.org/job_roles/3078_screenwriter LR
- 11. Screenwriter There are no set qualifications to become a screenwriter, but it is useful to take courses to develop skills and understand dramatic structure. Courses to improve writing include creative writing and scriptwriting. It may also be useful to have experience in journalism and advertising copywriting. Individuals can also start by coming up with their own screenplays and ideas, and trying to sell them to agents and producers. If ideas are good, then they may be sold, thus building a professional reputation. Therefore, several producers may begin to ask for scripts. There are also screenwriting competitions, in order to get noticed by broadcasters and regional screen agencies, and work can be submitted to professionals directly, such as through the BBC Writers Room. Several skills are needed to become a screenwriter. These include having an excellent writing ability, being creative, having storytelling skills and an understanding of dramatic structure and be willingness to accept criticism and rejection of work. https://nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk/job-profiles/screenwriter LR
- 12. Screenwriter To become a screenwriter, it is useful to write original short and feature screenplays to try to attract the attention of Producers and Agents. A qualification from a respected institution shows ability and can make a development executive, producer or agent more inclined to consider a submission. It is also practical to have a network of readers, who are capable of giving constructive feedback on works-in-progress. Individuals can then start to send out scripts, such as to the BBC writersroom, who give feedback on work that shows promise. Amatuer screenwriters can begin networking, and show possible employers screenplays, by getting work experience and interning. Here, they can get close to the actors and director to see how they work with the script. Screenwriters will also need to prepare pitches, synopses and outlines, for producers. https://www.theguardian.com/careers/insiders-guide-to-becoming-screenwriter LR
- 13. Screenwriter Here is a job advertisement for a lead scriptwriter. This job is found on the BBC website. As stated from the description, the job requires individuals to create storylines, take them through the draft/editorial process and produce full scripts for TV dramas, standalone as well as long-running. Writing and expanding characters and events, balancing stories against sound story structure. http://careerssearch.bbc.co.uk/jobs/job/lead-scriptwriter/5106 LR
- 14. Screenwriter Most screenwriters are freelance, and therefore they set their own working hours. Screenwriters usually work from home or an office, and will attend meetings with agents, script editors and producers. Some work as part of a studio-based writing team and will then work standard office hours. A freelance screenwriter and their agent will negotiate a fee for each piece of work, however, generally, if the budget of the film is more than £2m, the screenwriter can expect to receive a minimum fee of approx. £42,120. If the budget of the film is between £750k and £2m, the screenwriter can expect to receive a minimum fee of approx. £25,650. If the budget of the film is under £750k, the screenwriter can expect to receive a minimum fee of approx. £18,900. There are also laws that screenwriters must abide by. For instance, writers must copyright their work otherwise their content and ideas maybe stolen by another writer. On scripts, the copyright must be clearly exposed on the front cover and the footer of every page. Another legal issue screenwriters must be aware of is libel and defamation. Here, the writer must write the truth if writing about a true event and/or person. Otherwise, the writer may face a lawsuit for defamation. https://nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk/job-profiles/screenwriter https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/scriptwrittingdupree.wordpress.com/2016/02/05/le gal-and-ethical-issues-that-concern-script-writing/amp/ LR
- 15. Editor When an editor in the film industry it’s their responsibility to make sure that all of the footage taken from their production is put onto the computer and edited into the final production. The editor works close with the director, to ensure that all the clips that the director likes are used in the final production. As an editor, people usually work at flexible hours to ensure that the work get done on time. The editor works closely with the director before shooting begins, deciding how to maximise the potential of the screenplay. Editors may work on scenes at the end of the film before the scenes at the beginning, this is to allow them to maintain a good sense of how the story unfolds. Editors select the best takes created by the cameramen and create them into a flowing production. Some unexpected lines from actors can develop into a new exciting scene. Editors usually work in a supervisory role during the subsequent music and track laying. http://creativeskillset.org/creative_industries/film/job_roles/2940_editor BK
- 16. Editor As an editor you don't need any qualifications, but if you are considering taking a film production course in higher education you may need a degree in editing. There are successful film editors in the industry, for example, Michael Kahn, who has edited films like Saving Private Ryan (1998) and Raiders Of The Lost Ark (1981). He has won 3 Oscars over his career and is still editing new films coming out at later dates. Another successful TV editor is, Julius Ramsay, he has edited episodes of shows like The walking dead (2015) and scream TV series (2015). Julius Ramsay has won 3 primetime Emmys during his career. This is a job example where this company is looking for a video producer/editor found on the site Glassdoor. http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1905909/ http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0434883/ BK
- 17. Editor Editing your own short film is good to show when applying for a job because it can show people your skill and what you have to offer them. If you know all the equipment you use as an editor it will show how much you know and what skills you have around the editing workplace. Usually as an editor to get work experience you would start off as a runner and then move onto a second assistant, first assistant and eventually become an editor. With at least 2 years of experience you would then become an assistant editor for a TV show with a low budget. When an editor your working hours would be flexible especially if you are a freelancer. Sometimes you may need to work during the weekends because deadlines may be close and you may need to be quicker meaning you may need to work over time some days. Usually an editor would work a nine-to-five job. Characteristics of an editor include experience of the post production process, being familiar with a variety of computer editing equipment, understanding dramatic storytelling to create rhythm, pace and tension, being creative under pressure and having excellent communication and interpersonal skills. BK
- 18. Editor In the early stages of becoming an editor they would often earn around £19.000 and £26.000 per year. But when you start to get a bit more experience in the industry you can earn up to £37.000 a year. Some senior editors who are working on high profile projects can earn up to £75.000 a year. The wages people earn while working as an editor is all dependant on how well they work and if they can film a regular working job. When working as an editor training will take place while you are on the job under supervision of a senior editor. Editors always need to make sure that all the clips and sounds they are using have been given to you and you are allowed to use these in your production because this can lead to copyright on the production and a potential lawsuit. Therefore, they must only use approved of sounds and music. Editors must also take into account the use of bad language, violence and nudity, especially for a film/tv show that is premiering before the watershed. Particularly any programme aimed at children, as this should not contain any bad language at all. https://www.allaboutcareers.com/careers/job-profile/film-video-editor BK
- 19. How the roles are linked The process begins when a screenwriter comes up with a screenplay, and pitches their idea to a production company. If the idea is liked by the producers of the company, they can begin to find a director to direct the production. Other pre production tasks also begin by the producers, such as the casting of crew and actors, the budget and location scouting. The director can also be involved in some preproduction tasks. The producer/director will also find an editor, and both may be involved in the editing process. For instance, the director may work closely with the editor to make the director's vision of the film a reality. The screenwriter will work with the editor before production begins to discuss their perspective of the screenplay.
- 20. How the roles are linked - Director & Producer The director, producer, screenwriter and editor all work together, throughout the various stages of production. The director works with the producer during the preproduction process, and they work closely together to decide how the production process and the film should be. The producer and the director should have a shared vision of the film, which can help the producer choose the right director. They may have different interests for the film, and therefore, they must discuss these areas and try to figure out the most effective way to deal with them. The producer and director also work closely together while deciding the cast and crew, location scouting and other pre production tasks. During production, the producer can be present in areas that the director is not. As the director may be busy with other duties such as filming, the producer can be deal with the studio, supervising crewmembers and any other work. Producers can be helpful to the director in providing an objective point of view on the film, and to point out any future problems of the film. http://www.filmmakers.com/stories/Producer7.htm
- 21. How the roles are linked - Director & ScreenwriterThe screenwriter and director may work together during the process of a production for different reasons. Firstly, the screenwriter would often work with the director to allow him to understand the script and storyline of the product, this allows the director to understand the setting, dialogue and screen directions. The director may ask the screenwriter to rewrite portions of the script during the pre production or production stages. The director is usually the one who guides the screenplay into a finished entertainment product. The director would usually meet with the screenwriter to get an insight on the characters who are in the story and the storyline of the production, this also includes looking at the motives in the different scenes. The screenwriters input in the production all revolves on if the director is open for receiving input. The director may seek guidance from the screenwriter during the filming process of the production. http://work.chron.com/director-vs-screenwriter-17194.html
- 22. How the roles are linked - Director & Editor The director and editor often develop a close relationship, which lasts throughout both their careers, and it known as the second phase of directing. The editor must be clear on the director's vision, because of the trust and reliance directors must place in them. Director-editor relationships vary. Some editors, if they are trusted by their director may be given a lot more freedom and create their own perspective of what the movie should looks like. The editor may create a rough cut/ first cut without the director telling them what they want, and the director may go with the cut if they like it, or change it if they don't. Other directors storyboard scenes with their editors before shooting. Therefore, the director can come in much after the edit, as they know what the editor is going to produce. https://tinbirdproductions.wordpress.com/2015/06/16/the-relationship-between-directors-and- editors/
- 23. How the roles are linked - Producer & Editor Producers work with the Editor, Supervising Sound Editor, and Rerecording Sound Mixer throughout post production. They continue to work on the production until all elements needed for the completion of the film are delivered. The producer has the final say on whether sounds, music, or scenes have to be changed or cut. Even if the shooting has been finished, the producers can still demand that additional scenes be filmed. If a negative test screening occurs, producers can demand to get an alternative film ending. For example, with Rambo First Blood. The test audience reacted negatively when Rambo died, so the producers re-shot a new ending. Producers also work with marketing and distribution companies in order to sell the film or arrange its distribution.
- 24. How the roles are linked - Screenwriter & Editor Screenwriters talk to other people in the filmmaking process, such as the editor in order to understand their approach to storytelling. Before, screenwriters were removed from the filming and editing processes. It is more popular in TV writing, rather than in film for screenwriters to be involved in other processes, such as editing. For example, the executive producer in many TV shows is a writer and former showrunner. However, when screenwriters are involved in the editing process, they will communicate their dramatic intention to the editor and convey the mood, feeling and perception of the scene that they have written. Screenwriters may meet with potential editors to discuss their vision of the film that they may edit. If the screenwriter and editor have the same ideas for the film, then the producers may be more inclined to chose that editor. https://gideonsway.wordpress.com/2010/10/13/the-relationship-between-editors-and-writers/
- 25. How the roles are linked - Screenwriter & ProducerThe producer and screenwriter are linked together because the producer would be the one who would hire the Screenwriter, this means that the producer can ask for rewrites if he doesn't like the story. If the producer doesn't feel like the story is good he can get different writers to come in and write the film for them, this often happens in Hollywood. The producers also get credited for the script that was done by the screenwriter. Joel Schumacher both wrote and produced his own film, this shows that screenwriters can multirole and have different jobs while making a film. The screenwriter would be the one who pitches their ideas to the producer, this is so they can all agree on an idea for their production when it comes round to making it. The producer would often took at what the screenwriter has done to see what could be changed and what could be improved in the script to create a successful film. https://www.quora.com/What-are-the-main-roles-of-the-producer-director-writer-and-actor- in-a-film