The type of production that I have created is a short film. This affected my work load as I had to prepare the script and script breakdown. A script is where you prepare and write or adapt a story to be filmed. It tells the story through the lines that the actor is going to be saying in the film and it also gives directions to tell what the actor is going to be doing- stage directions, use of props and presentation to the audience. The remaining items are more generic and used for other productions, such as, you have a risk assessment in TV,film and video; budget for film, TV and video and a call sheet for film, TV and video.
I have included a copy of the original script I planned and wrote for my short film (see below).
Storyboard-Below is an image of my storyboard for the film. A storyboard is where you draw pictures of the actor and how the actor is going to be acting and also it will be explaining what the cameramen will be doing in the film e.g. angles and shots.
I have also uploaded a copy of my 'Script Breakdown'- A script breakdown is where you look at the script and you look at the lines that you want to highlight that are relevant to the script. You highlight the lines you want to keep and cross out the items that you don't want anymore, and also you calculate how long it will take to film the scene.
Here is my filming Budget-A budget is where you identify the costs for the completion of the film. - such as actors' wages, hire or purchase of technical equipment, hire room/filming location etc. The list below shows my budget and how much the equipment cost me. I had an initial budget of £1500 - ie the amount of money made available for the film - funding - and by breaking down the costs I have kept within my budget.
It is important to consider health and safety in the workplace and making a film is no different. A Risk Assessment is used to identify potential hazards when making the film. Within the risk assessment you put in place certain changes to help reduce the certainty of these hazards, reducing high risk to low risk.
The images below make up my 'Call Sheet'-A call sheet is where you have all the times and dates and locations for the actors and the crew members to turn up for the production day. It also identifies which specific people are needed to turn up at the rehearsals for particular scenes. It is also where the director makes a list of the shots for the cameramen to complete.
Finally I have included 'Contracts and Clearances'- A 'Contract' is a legal document where you agree to work for a particular production company/film company for the period of the 'production' for agreed terms and conditions. It may also be a hire contract for equipment or locations etc. Clearances are where you ask someone permission if you wanted to do filming at a particular location or wanted to borrow some equipment from the media department.
Step two - Time
Time management is very important when planning and producing a film. If the filming overruns this has implications on the budget, making the film more expensive. Below I have included a simple timetable which I intended to show how I have broken down each task within the film and the time I have allotted for completion.
This is the schedule showing when I'm going to get the work done and which week it will be completed.
I have explained below how I have thought about time management for each particular aspect.
Script-I planned to complete the script in 2 days. Using facilities at College to help me manage this more effectively.
Script Breakdown-I'll be using the time to highlight the lines that are needed for a particular scene. For example I used 'colour referencing' to identify key lines for the actor needs to read - blue; the cameraman has the colour red etc. The script breakdown wouldn't take long to complete as I just need to highlight the lines for the actor to say, stage directions and I will also need to highlight the lines for the cameraman on what angles he will need to be filming at and whether the cameraman will be zooming in or out. Time allotted was 20 mins- 30 mins to complete and check.
Call Sheet-I'll be writing the date and the time of the day that the actor and the cameraman need to turn up for the rehearsal of the film and will be be passing on the message to them if they can make it to shooting the film. The call sheet will take me two days to complete as I will need to tell the cast what time we're meeting up, the equipment that they need to bring and telling them when the filming should be completed.
Filming - I planned for the filming to take me one day. One day to do the shooting of the film as we are just at one location shooting the film and using one actor, one camera and one cameraman.
The timetable helps identify the deadline in which I need to complete the film.
Step three - Resources
Script and script breakdown - The script will identify what props will be used in the scene and how the actor will use it. The script could also show where the back stage crew need to place - 'stage left/right' etc so that it will be in the correct place for the actor to use. The script also identifies where the cameraman will have the camera equipment.
Risk Assessment-The risk assessment identifies how the prop/resource should be handled to ensure that it is being used appropriately and not is not dangerous for cast and crew to handle. The risk assessment identifies whether it is a high or low risk item and the measures need to ensure risk is minimised.
Call Sheet- In the call sheet it will say what equipment and resources I'll be using in the film and also how long I'll be borrowing them, saying which props I will need for the film. I also listed the technical items I will be using - camera, tripod and H4 zoom audio, and the props for the actor that he'll be using are either a book or a newspaper.
I have not included an inventory - ie a simple list of resources and props. This is something I would recommend using next time to quickly identify what is needed for the production. This is something I would use if I was working on a film with a team of others to ensure that my needs are communicated clearly.
As well as an inventory an itinerary of locations would also be an effective way of managing the film more efficiently. However for this particular film I was only filming in one location so felt I didn't need it.
Step four - Budget
By spending time to put together a film budget I can see how much I intendto spend overall.A spreadsheet to show the breakdown of costs with an overall total cost - including actors wages and hire cost of equipment for the production. This shows how much funding needs to be raised for the film to be completed.
Script-Budget for the script-the script costs -ink and paper to produce.
Script Breakdown-Minimal stationary costs - ie pens and time management.
Budget-I'll be adding up all the costs and the money that I've spent on the film that I am producing for my assignment. The money that I have identified will be spent on props, equipment hire, actors' wages.
Step five - Communications
The script is the most efficient way to communicate effectively with all people involved in the film production.
By including details on the script - such as stage directions, staging, direction etc, actors and crew will know where they are supposed to be and what is excpected. Call sheets are used to ensure people know when and where they are meant to be. Costume and lighting details, would also be included on the script, as well as the storyboard.The script it will have the lines for the actor to say in the film and also what the actor will be doing in the film. The director can use the script to direct the actor and cameraman on what they are meant to do in the film, as well as identify props and what the actor will be wearing and what their appearance is like - ie make-up.
Storyboard-In the storyboard it will communicate to the actor and the cast members. In the storyboard will show how the actor will be acting and also what the actor will be saying. It will also communicate with camera people. For example what shots they'll be doing, and what the angles are going to be. Same as before it will show in the story board the stage directions where the actor will be standing or sitting etc.
Call Sheet-To communicate people from the call sheet it will say who will need to be there and what equipment they will need there and also it will talk about breaks and times starting and finishing for the film and it will also say where they will be filming at which location, and it will also say what time the cast need to be there for the filming.
Step six - Contracts and Clearances
On a professional film a producer would need to be aware of other issues - such as actors contracts and the involvement of EQUITY - the actors' union, as well as technical crew unions - eg electrical. Also a producer would need to be aware of copyright - whether the script is subject to the Copyright Act of 1956 and whether royalties need to be paid to writers. This would also affect budgets.
As I am the scriptwriter I did not need to look at copywrite and below are my contracts drawn up with my actor and cameraman.
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