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Monday 12 May 2014

How to Make a Movie or Film : An Overview

How to Make a Movie or Film : An Overview 
Professor Ram Lakhan Meena, Central University of Rajasthan, Ajmer,INDIA

Film Production Process : An overview
v  Three major stages of production
v  Preproduction    Planning, research, writing, organizing
v  Production   Shooting, recording, acting, performing
v  Postproduction    Editing, fixing, sweetening, copying, evaluating


Production Process - Preproduction 1(Part-A)
v  Cannot just run out and shoot…
v  Work closely with client throughout
v  Program idea - from basic to specific
v  Inspiration - for style & content… be aware, alert, curious…
v  Goals, purpose of production, audience, outlet (distribution)
v  Research - background, details
v  Client history, background, relationship
v  Budget


Production Process - Production 1(Part-B)
v  Translate idea into program (encode message)
v  Location or studio shoot (edited or “mixed” live)
v  Additional footage - cover video, b-roll, 2nd unit
v  Reshoots
v  Archival pictures/film/video - source, location
v  Stock footage - source
v  Music/score - original, library
v  Graphics - design & creation
v  Narration, voice-over - talent, facilities

Production Process - Preproduction 2 (Part-A)
v  Planning - creative ideas, production style, persuasive style, scriptwriting and re-writing, storyboard
v  Production decisions:
v  Final budget
v  Types and sources of music, crew & equipment, locations, talent
v  Schedule of activities
v  Time frame, final “deliverables”
Production Process - Preproduction 2 (Part-B)
v  Key Production Personnel (note - field vs. studio)
v  Director, assistant director
v  Producer & assistants/associates
v  Videographer, Director of Photography (DP) & assistants, camera operators
v  Key Production Personnel (note - field vs. studio)
v  Lighting director
v  Audio director/engineer
v  Studio: Technical director (TD), floor person (grip), Character Generator (CG), videotape operator, video engineer
Production Process - Preproduction 3
v  Key preproduction personnel
v  Director - overall responsibility for translating script to production
v  Producer - coordinator, manager of production activities
v  Key preproduction personnel
v  Scriptwriter
v  Music coordinator
v  Post-production supervisor
v  Client contact (the right person)


Production Process - Preproduction 4
v  Key preproduction personnel
v  Art director - set design
v  Lighting director
v  Floor manager (studio only)
v  Technical director (studio only)
v  Small company, small project yields more overlap of duties
Production Process - Postproduction (editing) 1
v  Multi-camera style (game show, talk show, sporting event)
v  Option 1: live broadcast, no need to “post produce”
v  Option 2: clean up errors, remove bad language, condense/consolidate, add necessary video/titles/credits, music, etc…
v  Multi-camera style (game show, talk show, sporting event)
v  Option 3: “repurpose” - edit program for a different use
Production Process - Postproduction 2
v  Single camera (“film style”):
v  Following script select best takes/shots/still photos, etc…combine with audio to create final program
v  (Note: it’s not that simple, keep reading.)
Production Process - Postproduction 3
v  Documentary, news, news magazine example:
v  Log footage (20, 30, 50:1 shooting ratio)
        View footage, write down or digitally store shots you plan to use
        Very important step - re-familiarize yourself with what you have, select best shots, quotes
v  Capture footage to computer for digital editing
v  Identify additional needs - acquire elements
v  Rough edit in sections
v  Final edit - transitions, titles, credits, audio sweetening, color correction
v  Editing - very creative and stimulating, very time consuming and tedious at times.  Computer skills a must!
Production Process - Post production 4
v  Review by client
v  Make changes
v  Formative Evaluation of production with test audience - formal/informal
        During process, make changes to program
v  Final edit
v  Distribute
v  Summative Evaluation - evaluate effectiveness of production or campaign in the real world
Production Process Summary
v  All three steps important
v  Failure to plan is a plan to fail (cliché but true)
v  Always keep client’s goals, audience effects in mind throughout the process
v  Part of your job as producer/director is to determine needs, goals, capabilities of client and production team and to educate your clients in the process.


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