Trio Productions Job Roles
The job roles that are needed in a short film/film shoot
are: Director, 1st Assistant Director, 2nd Assistant
Director, Director of Photography, Script Supervisor and Costume Designer. My
team consists of 3 members; Me, Isobel McMahon and Alex Clinton within us we
have multiple job roles. I am the 2nd Assistant Director and Script
Supervisor, Isobel is the Director and Costume Designer, and Alex is the 1st
Assistant Director and Director of Photography.
I used Skillset to get the in depth look at what each of
these job roles are and what they do during the production of the film.
Isobel Job Roles – Director
The Director is responsible for creatively making the film's
written script into visuals and sounds on the screen. They are mainly
responsible for a film's artistic success or failure. Directors may write the
film's script or commission it to be written, or they may be hired after an
early draft of the script is complete. They must then create a vision for the
finished film and work out how to achieve it.
During pre-production, Directors make important decisions,
such as selecting the right cast, crew and locations for the film. They then
direct rehearsals and the performances of the actors once the film is in
production. They also manage the technical aspects of filming including the
camera, sound, lighting, design and special effects departments. During post
production, Directors work closely with Editors through the many technical
processes of editing, to reach the final cut or version of the film.
Isobel Job Roles – Costume Designer
The Costume Designer work helps to define the overall “look”
of the film and their role requires a great deal of expertise. This must be
achieved within strict budgets, and to tight schedules. They work closely with
the Production Designer to make sure the costumes fit in with their overall
vision and work with the chosen lighting and camera angles. They also
collaborate with the make-up team to make sure a cohesive look is created.
During pre-production, Costume Designers break down scripts
scene by scene to work out how many characters are involved and what costumes
are required. They then develop costume plots for each character. Plots ensure
that colours and styles do not copy each other in the same scene, and highlight
the characters' emotional journeys by varying the intensity and depth of
colours. Costume Designers must carry out research into the costume styles,
designs and construction methods suitable for the time period, using resources
such as libraries, museums and the Internet. They may also discuss costume and
character ideas with actors.
Alex Job Roles – 1st Assistant Director
First ADs main duties are assisting the Director,
co-ordinating all production activity, and supervising the cast and crew. They
are also in charge of a department of other Assistant Directors and Runners. Overall,
they provide the key link between the Director, cast and crew, and provide regular
progress reports about the production shoot.
During pre-production, the First ADs main task is to create
the filming schedule, working in careful consultation with the Director.
When drawing up the shooting schedule, First ADs must also be aware of the
budget, cast availability and script coverage. Preparing the storyboard,
overseeing the hiring of locations, props and equipment and checking weather
reports are all key pre-production duties for Firsts.
During production, they must ensure that everyone is on
standby and ready for the Director's cue for action. First ADs' main
responsibility is to keep filming on schedule by driving it forward, so they
make announcements and give directions to co-ordinate the cast and crew.
They also control discipline on the set, supervise the other Assistant
Directors and oversee the preparation of the daily call sheet. First ADs
are also responsible for health and safety on set or location, and must take
action to eliminate or minimise hazards.
Alex Job Roles – Director of Photography
The Director of Photography (DoPs) is the key Head of
Department on film productions and they’re one of the major creative roles.
They provide a film with its unique visual identity, or look. DoPs must
discover the photographic heart of a screenplay, using a variety of source
material including stills photography, painting, other films, etc.
They create the desired look using lighting, framing, camera
movement, etc. DoPs collaborate closely with the camera crew (Camera Operator,
1st and 2nd Assistant Camera, Camera Trainee and Grips). During filming, DoPs
also work closely with the Gaffer (who runs the lighting team), the Production
Designer, Costume Designer, and the make-up Department.
After reading the screenplay, DoPs meet with the Director to
discuss the visual style of the film. They conduct research and preparation
including carrying out technical recces of locations. They prepare a list of
all required camera equipment, including lights, film stock, camera, cranes and
all accessories etc., for the production office to order.
My Job Roles – 2nd Assistant Director
The Second AD's main function is to ensure that all of the First
AD's orders and directions are carried out. On each day of a production shoot,
Second ADs must prepare and draw up the next day's call sheet, these details
must be approved by the production team before the Second ADs can distribute
the call sheet to the cast and crew.
Ensuring that everyone knows their 'call time' (the exact
time they will have to be on set) is a key responsibility, any delay to filming
due to bad time-keeping negatively affects the day's schedule and budget, and
is considered unprofessional and inefficient. Once the day's filming has begun,
Second ADs must ensure that all Actors are ready for filming, which means
co-ordinating any transport requirements, as well as make-up and wardrobe
timetables. In some cases, Second ADs may also be in charge of finding extras,
sometimes in large numbers at short notice, and arranging their transport to,
and activities on, the set or location.
My Job Roles – Script Supervisor
The Script Supervisor’s role is to monitor whether it is
possible for each filmed scene to be edited into a verbally and visually correct
sequence. Films are usually shot entirely out of script sequence. The Script
Supervisor ensures that the finished product makes continuous verbal and visual
sense.
During pre-production they check the script for any errors and/or inconsistencies and prepare estimated running times. They create the story synopsis and character breakdowns. They check the shooting schedule to ensure that the required scenes will be shot and covered from all required angles, distances, etc. They attend recces and pre-production meetings to feed back any identified issues. During rehearsals they record detailed timings which inform the shooting schedule.
During production, they work closely with the Director to anticipate and solve any potential problems. This entails keeping detailed written and photographic records of dialogue, action, costumes, props and set design, all camera and lens details, all slate and scene number information, so that when different takes are edited together, the fictional world of the film is not disrupted by continuity errors. These records provide an invaluable resource for Directors and Editors enabling them to assess the coverage, including how many shot options there are for each scene and how each shot was filmed.
During pre-production they check the script for any errors and/or inconsistencies and prepare estimated running times. They create the story synopsis and character breakdowns. They check the shooting schedule to ensure that the required scenes will be shot and covered from all required angles, distances, etc. They attend recces and pre-production meetings to feed back any identified issues. During rehearsals they record detailed timings which inform the shooting schedule.
During production, they work closely with the Director to anticipate and solve any potential problems. This entails keeping detailed written and photographic records of dialogue, action, costumes, props and set design, all camera and lens details, all slate and scene number information, so that when different takes are edited together, the fictional world of the film is not disrupted by continuity errors. These records provide an invaluable resource for Directors and Editors enabling them to assess the coverage, including how many shot options there are for each scene and how each shot was filmed.
Requirement for 2nd AD & Script Supervisor
The requirements of being the 2nd AD
are:
- have excellent organisational and time-management skills
- be an excellent communicator
- relate to a wide range of people
- be patient and tactful
- work effectively under pressure
- be flexible and resourceful
- pay close attention to detail
- be very efficient
- be capable
- be extremely motivated
- know about the relevant Health and Safety legislation and procedures
The requirements of being the Script Supervisor
are:
- have exceptional skills of observation
- have a meticulous and methodical attention to detail
- have stamina to remain alert and focused during long filming days
- be able to take precise and detailed notes quickly and efficiently
- possess a good sense of visual composition, perspective and movement
- have excellent organisational skills and a practical approach to work
- be able to think on your feet and respond quickly to changing circumstances
- have good communication skills and show diplomacy and sensitivity when working with artists and crew
- be able to remain friendly and calm in challenging situations
- understand the requirements of the relevant health and safety legislation and procedures
- be able to collaborate and work as part of a team
- have a full, clean driving licence, ideally
Pre-Production Week 1
Today marks week 1 of the production of Missing In Action, I've been put with two other people in the group to create the short film because all of our scripts had similarities. Our first job was to read each others scripts and come up with a fresh script working with all 3 of the scripts after a lot of thought with it there was no way my film fit with the other two although they were all War related I didn't mind this as the new script was great. We named it "Missing In Love". We decided on what job role we would take throughout the production I became the 1st Assistant Director & Script Supervisor.
Pre-Production Week 2
So after the first week, the weekend had us all thinking, and we felt although we liked the script it wasn't at it's full potential we gave it to Kelly to have a play around with each day this week it came back with more and more to it, whilst this was going on we all decided Missing In Love just didn't feel right for it so went with my original scripts name "Missing In Action". We got the Synopsis made and character breakdown sheets ready to give to the acting students.
Pre-Production Week 3
2 weeks into the Short Film production we have the basics of the film in progress, a complete script all that's missing is a cast but that's soon to come to an end.
Pre-Production Week 4
We got the paperwork & scripts out to acting students this week, bringing up the tension of what to expect in auditions next week. This week also introduced Social Media to the film with us creating the private group to talk about things when we aren't in College. Later this week we made a like page for the film.
Pre-Production Week 5
This week we done the auditions for the film, it was such a tense day, everyone who auditioned was great picking them was quite difficult but after a lot of thoughts and discussions with the group we chose the actors that showed true emotion. We broke the news to them on Facebook adding them to the private group to discuss call backs and for future needs throughout the production.
Pre-Production Week 6
After a tense week of getting the cast together for the film, we done the call backs for the film getting the actors to do the more emotional scenes of the script, everything went well. Getting the locations done was for sure a tough task but we pulled through and they all look so good.
Pre-Production Week 7
After a successful week of getting cast together and getting locations found, we went on the location recce I went to Ropner & Preston Park with Alex, we decided after looking at them both the best choice to go to was Preston so that's another job off the list. Also this week I began to feel the pressure of being 1st AD & Script Supervisor so swapped AD roles with Alex becoming 2nd AD & Script Supervisor from here on.
Pre-Production Week 8
New job roles & set locations brings us to another week of MIA becoming a reality, minor adjustments were made to the script but all is going well after a switch up with a member of the cast over the weekend we get more paperwork complete and tucked away for use during the production.
Pre-Production Week 9
Only weeks away from Production starting, this week we got the schedule done and all last minute changes to the script complete, all is strong within Trio Productions and the dawn of Missing In Action.
Pre-Production Week 10
This week we got Call Sheets complete and ready to be handed out to Cast & Crew. We learnt about Risk Assessments and the dangers within the film set no matter where the set is, we also learnt the danger of filming without them, the example we used was the tragic death of Sarah Jones, Sarah died on set after being hit by a train that would be used in the film.
Pre-Production Week 11
The final week before filming begins we had multiple rehearsals of the film with all of the cast, the final pre-production meeting with all of the cast and crew and got issues with Call Sheets corrected. We end the week on a high note and are more than ready for filming to begin next week!!
Film Week 1
This week we started filming the production, first on the Monday we done the voiceovers, they went well until we tried to listen to them on the computer, although you could hear them on the recorder (TASCAM) you couldn't on the computer so we're going to have to re-schedule them. Tuesday was an off day, we done some Paperwork and that was all. Wednesday we went to Preston Park to film scenes 6 & 11 plus clips for the montage. In the filming we worked with a small child which comes with its complications. Firstly assuring the safety of the child, and keeping calm under the circumstances of a screaming child. If I learnt anything coming out of Wednesday it's to not work with Children in the industry so much hard work.
On Thursday we went to Eaglescliffe Village Hall to film scenes 2, 3, 4 & 5. We firstly filmed 4 of which I was an extra in, I learnt then that I'm on the right side of the camera. In front of the lens isn't for me.
Film Week 2
We started filming on Tuesday this week getting our catch up at the Village Hall and redoing scene 2 after issues with the make up. We were going to go back to Preston Park to re shoot scene 6 after the watched back footage wasn't too good but once again foiled by the weather so that's going to the pick up week. Wednesday was a fresh day, scheduled no catch ups at the Dormans Museum, it was a very successful day, getting everything we wanted, it all looked great so don't need to go back there.
Due to a trip on Thursday and nobody available on Friday this week comes to a short end ready for catch ups in the pick up week.
Film Pick-Up Week
Once again we begin the filming on Tuesday going to the Heugh Battery Museum getting our first weeks Friday back in a successful doing although some changes were made that will be done at the Preston Park pick up this coming Friday. Before we left for the battery we got the photo shoot done for our male actors. Wednesday we got a teaser trailer made for the production and began working on the final poster. Thursday we filmed the final scene to the film, it was a very emotional day. The make-up looked great and both actors were fantastic. We had some fun experimeting different angles but due to the dangers and keeping the camera safe we thought it would be best not to do. So that brings a wrap to the filming of Missing In Action only 2 things to go, Voice Over re do and bringing the masterpiece together.
