Planning: Production roles- Miss Begum

 

Production Roles

 

Introduction

Production roles are made up of 9 key roles that are essential to involve in films ensuring they are made successfully. Production roles consist of a director, producer, editor, sound technician, camera operator, lighting operator and makeup, hair and costume artist. Each of these roles help to ensure a film is successfully created to the highest possible standard. When we were given the opportunity to decide on the responsibility of each role we distributed production roles between the group members after identifying their definitions and the roles they play in helping to produce a film. We decided on what roles each individual should have based on certain attributes the individual had that enabled them to succeed within their role. 

 

The different roles and their definitions

 

•  Director: A film director is responsible for having the authority of directing the film. A film director gives directions to the crew and cast ensuring that everybody is following the script and storyboard producing the film successfully. A director must have good leadership skills communicating well with their team members and they must also meet tight deadlines therefore work efficiently making use of their time. The director is supported by the producer and storyboard artist, the producer supervises the film and parts of the production while the storyboard artist shares the information about each shot with the director ensuring that they are following the storyboard. Overall, the director makes the overall decisions associated with the film.

 

•  Producer : A film producer works closely with the film director supervising the making of a film before preparing and presenting it to a film distributor. One of their key responsibilities is ensuring that they create an environment where the film crew and cast can flourish and produce their talents effectively. The producer is also often the first person to get involved in a project and come up with the idea for a production, they secure the rights, choose the screenwriter and story editing team. In pre production the producer is responsible for bringing the creative team together including the director, cinematographer, production designer and key cast members. Overall, the producer supervise the development process.

 

• Lighting operator :The lighting operator is responsible for creating the light and atmosphere in the film  creating the correct connotations associated with each shot. For example, if the shot has connotations of negativity low lighting will be used by the lighting operator to establish these connotations. A lighting operator keeps in mind issues of visibility, safety and cost ensuring they do not exceed the budget and avoid making mistakes. The lighting operator reads the script carefully and make notes on changes in place and time between scenes, which allows him to identify changes often done just with lighting to avoid too many blackouts in one scene. They will also have meetings with the director, designers, stage manager and the production manager to discuss ideas for the film, and establish budget and scheduling details.
 

 

• Location manager: A location manager is responsible for finding the appropriate location where the film scenes will be set. They must ensure they obtain permission from the police, governmental permits and location owners before they are able to use the location as a set for a scene. A location manager usually works closely with the director and the production designer during preproduction to find and secure their expressed creative vision. The manager is also responsible for public relations at the locations used and the crew's safety during filming.

 

• Camera operator: The camera operator is responsible for physically operating the camera maintaining the camera angles, movement and size of each shot. In narrative filmmaking, the camera operator will work  with the director, director of photography, actors and the film crew to make technical and creative decisions. In the film setting a camera operator is part of a film crew consisting of the director of photography and camera assistants.

 

 

 

• Editor: A film editor has the responsibility of working with raw footage, selecting shots and combining them into sequences creating moving images. A film editor must creatively work with images, story, dialogue, music, pacing, as well as the actors performances to effectively re-imagine and even rewrite the film to craft a cohesive whole. Editors usually play a dynamic role in the making of a film.

• Costume, hair and makeup artist: A costume, hair and makeup artist is responsible for creating the cast members appearances. A costume, hair and makeup artist work closely with directors and performers. They assess make-up and hair requirements, set up the department  and prepare the make-up and hair budgets and schedules. They break down the script scene by scene to identify the required make-up, costume and hairstyles. Before beginning the creation of the characters appearances they make notes of the characters ensure they make each characters fit their representation and image before they begin developing their appearances.

• Storyboard Artist:  A storyboard artist is responsible for producing images and notes based on each shot. They visualise the details associated with each shot and put their ideas on paper. Quick pencil sketches are the conventional technique of creating a storyboard. Storyboard artists may use photos to create visuals where photos taken specifically for the project are put together digitally to produce a photographic representation called a photo visual.

• Sound operator: Sound operators  are responsible for operating and maintaining the technical equipment used to record, amplify, enhance, mix or reproduce sound. They identify the sound requirements for a given task or situation and perform the appropriate actions to produce this sound. Sound technicians may use software to help produce effective sound and sound effects.

 

 

 

Who has what role and why?

•  Director: Fatma- I have decided to take on the responsibility of being the director as I have good leadership skills and I am capable of managing a group of team members, and ensuring that I am listened to by explaining myself clearly and giving moral support to each team member. I am also a focused person therefore I know I will not be easily distracted and will ensure I complete my project to a high standard. 

 

• Producer: Lara- We decided that Lara should be the producer as she has excellent communication skills therefore she is able to communicate with people efficiently and is also a patient person therefore is capable of dealing with any problems that the group members have. She is also a creative individual and will therefore help come up with new ideas for the production as well as visualise how certain things should be presented.

 

• Lighting Operator: Suweda- We decided that Suweda should take on the responsibility of being the lighting operator as she is generally good at problem solving therefore will be able to control the lighting and deal with any issues that arise with the lighting. She Is also creative and is therefore able to position the light source in the appropriate positions due to her knowledge and creativity, for example if a shadow is to be created Suweda will be able to work out how to create it due to her problem solving and creative skills.

 

• Location Manager: Mohydin- We have decided that Mohydin should be the location manager as he has good organisational skills therefore will be able to choose the locations efficiently. He is also good at negotiating therefore will be able to negotiate efficiently with location owners if we need to use a public place to film our shots.

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  Camera operator: Fatma- We decided that I should be the camera operator I have good practical skills, therefore I will be able to operate a camera efficiently and move it accordingly. I am also able to interpret instructions to visualise shots.

 

 

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  Editor: Lara-  We decided that Lara should take on the editing role as she has past experience after editing a film she created previously therefore she will be able to edit our film confidently using her past knowledge making it high quality. Also, due to her patience she will be able to remain calm and confident in high stress situations.

 

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  Costume, hair and makeup artist: Suweda-  We decided that Suweda should take on the responsibility of being the costume, hair and makeup artist due to her creative skills which will help her to create the perfect image for each character and ensure their image fits their role, for example the antagonists hair, costume and makeup should clearly connote evilness and fright for the other characters and the audience.

 

•  Storyboard Artist: Mohydin- We chose Mohydin to take responsibility of creating the storyboard as he is artistic therefore is able to draw each shot in detail and present the visuals in a convincing way. He is also aware of the overall theme and events therefore will create the storyboard accordingly.

 

• Sound Operator: Fatma- We chose for me to be take responsibility of operating the sound as I am passionate and enjoy learning new skills therefore when being introduced to new software I will be able to learn quickly and add the appropriate sound to each shot. I also possess skills of agility and endurance therefore I am capable of inserting sound to our film.

 

 

 

Conclusion: How has this been beneficial ?

Overall, this planning has been beneficial as it has allowed each group member to identify their required qualities and according to these qualities we were able to decide who took on the responsibility of each role. We had to ensure we chose our roles carefully as we are aware that these roles will be significant and that we each must fulfil our roles to ensure the film is created successfully. It is also beneficial as it enables us to prepare and come up with new ideas adding to the current ideas.