USC CTCS 190 - WEEK NINE Production Process (4 pages)

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WEEK NINE The Production Process I Development the first stage of film production A Time 1 The amount of time can vary significantly 2 Development Hell a term describing a script that never gets out of development B High Concept 1 Most films in Hollywood today must be High Concept 2 It must be immediately accessible and easily understood 3 It must readily translate into visual terms 4 It must intersect with other discourses transmedia essentially C Personnel and their functions 1 Producer makes the script into a movie a Can be independent assigned by the studio or work for the studio 2 Executive Producer gets financing for the film or lends his name and reputation to the film to help it raise money 3 The screenwriter and director are also usually hired in this stage II Pre Production A Time roughly six months 1 When a film is greenlit for production they go through this period of staffing up finding locations casting and scheduling B Personnel and their functions 1 Line Producer Unit Production Manager breaks down the film s budget and schedules daily activities a Above the Line costs creative talent who negotiate salaries such as stars directors and prominent technicians such as cinematographers and production designers b Below the Line costs fixed salaries purchases costumes catering etc and rentals soundstages cameras lighting etc c Negative Cost the combination of above and below the line costs 2 Casting Director works with the director to run auditions and callbacks 3 Production Designer designs sets scouts locations with the DP a Production Designers team Art Director constructed sets Set Decorator Set Dressers Scenic Artists Property Master Greensman assistants b They are hired during pre production to create and set up locations Construction and set up continues throughout production 4 Costume Designer designing and acquiring all costumes a Team Costumers dress the actors seamstresses etc 5 The head of each production team hires their crew during this phase III Principle Photography A Time typically two months 1 Shooting Time the total number of days required to collect all the footage 2 Shooting Ratio the amount of film exposed divided by the amount used in the finished film B Personnel and their functions 1 Director s team Assistant Director 2nd AD 2nd 2nd AD Production Assistants a They run the set prepare teams keep track of schedule 2 Script Supervisor Continuity makes sure the script is covered and shots match 3 Director of Photography Cinematographer in charge of camera grip and lighting teams Works with the director to set up shots chooses lens movements lighting a Camera Team camera operator actually looks through viewfinder assistant camera 2nd assistant focus puller loader takes care of film b Lighting Team Gaffer head of lighting chief electrician rigging gaffer set up lights lay cable assistants c Grip Team grips carry and arrange equipment i Key grip manages grips dolly grip controls the dolly best boy key rigging grip