The People and Process of Film and Video Production: From Low Budget to High Budget

by Weatherby,Joseph

• ISBN13: 9780205375219
• ISBN10: 0205375219
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Nonspecific Binding
• Copyright: 2004-09-16
• Publisher: Routledge

Summary

The People and Process of Film and Video Productiondiscusses the entire production process for film and video projects, including a comprehensive list of jobs for both low and high budget productions. From student projects to major studio features, this text covers all the aspects of the production process from the determining the budget to post-production and personnel. Each chapter examines a specific department on a film or video production and outlines the duties and responsibilities of each member of the crew throughout the production process. The text shows how the people and processes are different depending on the budget level of the project. Students will learn the nuts and bolts of how a film or video is made, from pre-production through delivery.

Author Biography

Lorene Wales is an assistant professor at Regent University.

Table of Contents

Preface	xxv
PART I PREP AND PRODUCTION	1	(202)
The Budget	3	(22)
Budgeting Software	4	(1)
Budget Structure	5	(2)
Above-the-Line	5	(1)
Below-the-Line (Production)	5	(1)
Post-Production	5	(1)
Total Other	6	(1)
Starting to Write a Budget	7	(6)
Budgeting with Software Packages	7	(1)
Spreadsheet Budgeting	7	(6)
Padding the Budget	13	(1)
The Contingency	14	(1)
Fringe Benefits	14	(1)
Taxes	14	(1)
Payroll Fees	15	(1)
Employee Benefits	15	(1)
Union Versus Non-Union	15	(1)
Becoming Signatory	16	(1)
Local Versus Distant	16	(1)
Budget Disbursement and Tracking	17	(2)
Disbursing Funds	17	(2)
Disbursement Forms	19	(1)
Managing the Budget	19	(2)
Good Budgeting Versus Bad Budgeting	21	(1)
Budget Line Items	21	(1)
Summary	21	(4)
Script Breakdown and Scheduling	25	(23)
Scheduling a Film: A Step-by-Step Overview	26	(1)
The Script Breakdown	26	(1)
Electronically---Scheduling Software	26	(1)
By Hand	27	(1)
What Are the Elements?	27	(3)
Speaking Cast (Underline in Red)	28	(1)
Extras/Atmosphere (Underline in Green)	28	(1)
Silent Bits (Underline in Yellow)	28	(1)
Props (Underline in Lime) and Set Dressing (Underline in Purple)	28	(1)
Wardrobe (Circle the Item)	28	(1)
Makeup (Mark with an Asterisk)	28	(1)
Stunts (Underline in Orange)	29	(1)
Special Effects (Underline in Blue)	29	(1)
Sound Effects (Underline in Brown)	29	(1)
Special Equipment (Draw a Box around the Action)	29	(1)
Vehicles and Animals/Livestock (Underline in Pink)	29	(1)
Music (Underline in Aqua)	30	(1)
Other Categories	30	(2)
Animal Handler	30	(1)
Greenery	30	(1)
Security	31	(1)
Additional Labor	31	(1)
Optical Effects/CGI	31	(1)
Miscellaneous	31	(1)
Notes	31	(1)
A Note on Continuity	32	(1)
Breaking the Script into ``Eighths''	32	(3)
The Breakdown Sheet	35	(2)
The Strip or Production Board	37	(1)
Creating a Schedule	37	(2)
Scheduling Parameters	39	(3)
Geography	39	(1)
Set	39	(1)
Cast Members	39	(1)
Day/Night	39	(1)
EXT/INT	40	(1)
Sequence	40	(1)
Children	40	(1)
Time of Year/Climate	41	(1)
Special Effects and Stunts	41	(1)
Second Camera/Second Unit	41	(1)
Special Equipment	41	(1)
Putting the Schedule Together	42	(1)
Schedules to Print	42	(2)
Shooting Schedule	42	(1)
Production Schedule	42	(1)
One-Liner	42	(2)
Day-out-of-Days	44	(1)
Updating Your Schedule	44	(3)
Revision Colors	45	(2)
Summary	47	(1)
The Production Team and Staff	48	(23)
Executive Producer	48	(2)
Pre-Production	50	(1)
Production	50	(1)
Post-Production	50	(1)
Line Producer	50	(3)
Pre-Production	51
Production	50	(2)
Post-Production and Wrap	52	(1)
What Makes a Good Producer	52	(1)
Dealing with First-Time Directors	53	(1)
Associate Producer	53	(1)
Assistant to the Producer	54	(1)
Qualities of a Good Assistant	54	(1)
Unit Production Manager	55	(1)
Pre-Production	55	(1)
Production	55	(1)
Post-Production and Wrap	56	(1)
Qualities of a Good UPM	56	(1)
Production Office Coordinator	56	(1)
Pre-Production	56	(1)
Production	57	(1)
Wrap	57	(1)
Qualities of a Good POC	57	(1)
Local Production Coordinator	57	(1)
Assistant Production Office Coordinator	58	(1)
Pre-Production	58	(1)
Production	58	(1)
Wrap	59	(1)
Qualities of a Good APOC	59	(1)
Travel/Movement	59	(2)
Office Production Assistants	61	(1)
Receptionist	61	(1)
Qualities of Good PAs and Production Receptionists	61	(1)
Head Accountant	62	(1)
First Assistant Accountant, Second Assistant Accountant, and Accounting Apprentice	62	(1)
Qualities of a Good Accounting Staff	62	(1)
Technical Advisor	63	(1)
Script Supervisor	63	(6)
Pre-Production	64	(1)
Production	64	(5)
Wrap	69	(1)
Qualities of a Good Script Supervisor	69	(1)
Safety Officer/Manager	69	(1)
Qualities of a Good Safety Manager	69	(1)
Product Placement	70	(1)
Summary	70	(1)
The Production Office	71	(14)
Description of the Production Office	71	(2)
Blocks of Rooms	72	(1)
Ample Office Space	72	(1)
Proximity to Restaurants and Shops	72	(1)
Proximity to Airport	72	(1)
Room Service	72	(1)
Nicer Rooms for Stars	72	(1)
Refrigerators	73	(1)
Parking	73	(1)
Proximity to Locations	73	(1)
Laundry Service	73	(1)
Setting Up the Office	73	(3)
Assigning Offices	74	(1)
Making the Office Operational	74	(2)
Running the Production Office	76	(1)
The Meet-and-Greet	76	(2)
The Wrap Party	78	(1)
Wrapping Out the Production Office	78	(1)
Production Lists	78	(1)
Summary	78	(7)
The Director's Team	85	(20)
Director	85	(1)
Pre-Production	85	(1)
Production	86	(1)
Post-Production	86	(1)
First Assistant Director	86	(2)
Pre-Production	87	(1)
Production	87	(1)
Qualities of a Good 1st AD	88	(1)
The First Assistant Director-Director Relationship	88	(3)
What the 1st AD Wants from the Director	88	(3)
Production Meetings	91	(1)
The Concept Meeting	91	(1)
The Big Production Meeting	91	(1)
Second Assistant Director	91	(2)
Pre-Production	92	(1)
Production	92	(1)
A Note on Directing Extras	92	(1)
Qualities of a Good 2nd AD	93	(1)
Walkie-Talkie Etiquette	93	(1)
Second Second Assistant Director and/or DGA Trainee	94	(1)
Pre-Production	94	(1)
Production	94	(1)
Qualities of a Good 2nd 2nd or DGA Trainee	94	(1)
Set Production Assistants	94	(1)
Pre-Production	95	(1)
Production	95	(1)
Qualities of a Good Set PA	95	(1)
Director's Assistant	95	(1)
Choreographer	96	(1)
Dialogue Coach/Dialect Coach	96	(1)
Storyboard Artist	96	(1)
Set Operations	97	(1)
Importance of Calling Rolling and Cut	98	(1)
At the End of the Day	98	(1)
Press Day	98	(1)
Closed Set	99	(1)
Set Protocol	99	(1)
Production Files	100	(1)
AD Paperwork	101	(1)
The Call Sheet	101	(1)
The Production Report	102	(1)
Summary	102	(3)
Casting, Actors, Extras, and Stunt People	105	(17)
Casting Department	105	(1)
Casting Director	105	(3)
Pre-Production	106	(2)
Local Casting Director	108	(1)
Extras Casting	109	(2)
Casting Assistants	111	(1)
How to Run a Casting Session	111	(2)
Screen Tests	113	(1)
Rehearsals and Training	113	(2)
Fittings	115	(1)
Working with Minors	115	(2)
Tutors	115	(1)
Working with Parents	116	(1)
Working with Animals	117	(1)
The Taft-Hartley	117	(1)
Categories of Actors	118	(1)
Leads	118	(1)
Supporting Roles	118	(1)
Extras	118	(1)
Silent Bits and Special Ability	118	(1)
Stand-Ins	118	(1)
Day Players Versus Weekly Players	119	(1)
Stunts	119	(1)
Stunt Coordinator	119	(1)
Pre-Production	119	(1)
Production	120	(1)
Wrap	120	(1)
Stuntperson	120	(1)
How a Stunt Could Work: A Car Roll	120	(1)
Summary	121	(1)
The Art Department	122	(8)
Production Designer	122	(2)
Pre-Production	122	(1)
Production	123	(1)
Wrap	124	(1)
Art Director	124	(1)
Pre-Production	124	(1)
Production	124	(1)
Wrap	124	(1)
Set Decorator	124	(1)
Pre-Production	124	(1)
Production	125	(1)
Wrap	125	(1)
Lead Man and Swing Gang	125	(1)
Art Department Coordinator	125	(1)
Set Designer	125	(1)
Set Dresser	125	(1)
Props	126	(1)
Pre-Production	126	(1)
Production	126	(1)
Wrap	126	(1)
Illustrator	126	(1)
Draftsperson	127	(1)
Assistant Props	127	(1)
Art Department Production Assistants	127	(1)
Assistant to Production Designer and Art Director	127	(1)
Construction Coordinator	127	(1)
Construction Foreman	128	(1)
Construction Laborers	128	(1)
Standby Painter	128	(1)
Standby Greensperson	128	(1)
Operations	128	(1)
Summary	129	(1)
The Camera Department	130	(12)
Director of Photography	130	(2)
Pre-Production	130	(1)
Production	131	(1)
Wrap	131	(1)
Camera Operator	132	(1)
Production	132	(1)
First Assistant Cameraperson	132	(1)
Second Assistant Cameraperson	133	(1)
Clapper and Loader	133	(1)
Camera Production Assistant	133	(2)
Video Assist	135	(1)
Steadicam Operator	136	(1)
Special Operators	136	(1)
The Camera Package	137	(1)
Operations	137	(1)
Stock	138	(1)
Processing and Printing	138	(2)
Projection of Dailies	140	(1)
Behind-The-Scenes for DVD	140	(1)
Tests	140	(1)
Summary	141	(1)
Grip and Electric	142	(8)
Gaffer	142	(1)
Pre-Production	142	(1)
Production	143	(1)
Wrap	143	(1)
Best Boy Electric	143	(1)
Electricians/Electrics	143	(1)
Generator Operator	144	(1)
Rigging Crew	144	(1)
Key Grip	144	(1)
Pre-Production	145	(1)
Production	145	(1)
Wrap	145	(1)
Best Boy Grip	145	(1)
Company Grips	145	(1)
Dolly Grip	145	(1)
Crane Operator	146	(1)
Operations for Grip and Electric	146	(1)
The Grip Package	147	(1)
The Lighting Package	147	(1)
Laying Dolly Track	148	(1)
Truck Wrap	148	(1)
Summary	149	(1)
The Sound Department	150	(6)
Sound Mixer	150	(1)
Pre-Production	151	(1)
Production	151	(1)
Boom Operator	151	(2)
Cable Puller/Person	153	(1)
Sound Production Assistant	153	(1)
The Sound Package	153	(1)
Operations	154	(1)
Playback	154	(1)
Summary	155	(1)
Special Effects and Visual Effects	156	(9)
Special Effects	156	(3)
Creature Design	156	(1)
Creature Manufacturer	157	(1)
Modelers	157	(1)
Miniatures	157	(1)
Remote Vehicles	158	(1)
Miniature Pyrotechnics	158	(1)
Matte Painting	158	(1)
Traveling Matte	158	(1)
Full-Scale Physical Effects	158	(1)
Weather Effects	159	(1)
Special Effects Coordinator	159	(1)
Operations on Set	160	(1)
Visual Effects	160	(1)
Visual Effects Producer	161	(1)
Computer Graphics Supervisor	161	(1)
Compositing Supervisor	161	(1)
Compositing Lead	162	(1)
Compositors	162	(1)
Animation Supervisor/Director	162	(1)
Animators	162	(1)
Digital Cinematographers/Shaders	162	(1)
Digital Modelers	162	(1)
3D Animators	162	(1)
2D Animators	162	(1)
Rendering	163	(1)
Operations	163	(1)
Summary	163	(2)
The Wardrobe Department	165	(7)
Costume Designer	165	(1)
Pre-Production	166	(1)
Production	166	(1)
Wrap	166	(1)
Wardrobe Supervisor	166	(3)
Pre-Production	167	(1)
Production	167	(1)
Wrap	167	(2)
Men's Costumer/Women's Costumer	169	(1)
Seamstress	169	(1)
Wardrobe Production Assistant	169	(1)
Assistant to the Costume Designer	169	(1)
Operations	169	(1)
Washing and Returning	170	(1)
Dressing the Masses	171	(1)
Summary	171	(1)
Makeup and Hair	172	(7)
Key Makeup	172	(1)
Pre-Production	172	(1)
Production	173	(1)
Wrap	173	(1)
Assistant Makeup	173	(2)
Additional/Extra Makeup	175	(1)
Body Makeup	175	(1)
Special Effects Makeup	175	(1)
Key Hair	176	(1)
Pre-Production	176	(1)
Production	176	(1)
Wrap	176	(1)
Assistant Hair/Additional Hair/Extra Hair	177	(1)
Operations	177	(1)
Qualities of a Good Makeup and Hair Team	177	(1)
Summary	178	(1)
Locations	179	(13)
Location Manager	179	(2)
Pre-Production	180	(1)
Production	180	(1)
Wrap	180	(1)
Assistant Location Manager	181	(1)
Location Production Assistant	182	(1)
Location Scout---The Person	182	(1)
Location Scout---The Event	183	(1)
Location Considerations	183	(1)
The Technical Scout	184	(2)
Location Determinations on a Tech Scout	185	(1)
Maps	186	(1)
Security, Firemen, and Police	186	(1)
Heating and Air Conditioning	187	(1)
Shooting on Location Versus in Studio Facilities	187	(1)
Advantages of Shooting on Location	187	(1)
Disadvantages of Shooting on Location	187	(1)
Advantages of Shooting in a Studio	187	(1)
Disadvantages of Shooting in a Studio	188	(1)
Location Paperwork	188	(3)
Location Agreement	188	(1)
Certificate of Insurance	188	(1)
Permits	188	(3)
Summary	191	(1)
The Transportation Department	192	(7)
Transportation Coordinator	192	(3)
Pre-Production	192	(1)
Production	193	(1)
Wrap	194	(1)
Transportation Captain	195	(1)
Dispatcher	195	(1)
Drivers and Teamsters	195	(1)
Qualities of a Good Transportation Team	196	(1)
Operations	196	(1)
Picture Vehicles	197	(1)
Production Vehicles	197	(1)
Summary	198	(1)
Second Unit	199	(4)
Director	199	(1)
Unit Production Manager or Production Office Coordinator	200	(1)
First Assistant Director	200	(1)
Locations	200	(1)
Camera	200	(1)
Sound	201	(1)
Other Units	201	(1)
Operations	201	(1)
Equipment	201	(1)
Paperwork	201	(1)
Summary	202	(1)
PART II POST-PRODUCTION	203	(32)
Editing Picture and Sound	205	(19)
Post-Production Supervisor	205	(2)
Editor	207	(4)
First Assistant Editor	211	(1)
Second Assistant Editor	211	(1)
Apprentice Editor	212	(1)
Sound Designer	212	(1)
Sound Editor	212	(1)
Dialogue Editor	213	(2)
Sound Effects Editon	215	(1)
Music Editor	215	(1)
ADR Editor	216	(1)
Re-Recording Mixers	217	(1)
Looping/ADR	217	(1)
What to Do before the Session	218	(1)
What to Do during the Session	218	(1)
Different Kinds of Mixes	218	(1)
The Post-Production Process	219	(1)
Shooting Film for Release on Film or Video	219	(1)
Shooting Video for Release on Video	220	(1)
Main Titles and End Credits	220	(3)
Summary	223	(1)
Post-Production Film and Lab	224	(5)
Working with the Lab	224	(1)
Negative Cutting	225	(1)
The Sound Mix	226	(1)
Answer Prints	226	(1)
Release Prints	226	(1)
The Film Trailer	227	(1)
Delivery Versions	227	(1)
VHS	227	(1)
DVD	227	(1)
Summary	228	(1)
Music	229	(6)
Licensing Rights	229	(1)
Music in the Public Domain	230	(1)
Music Supervisor	230	(1)
Composer	231	(1)
Music Package Fee	231	(1)
Conductor	231	(1)
Arranger/Orchestrator	231	(1)
Copyists	232	(1)
Musicians	232	(1)
The Scoring Session	232	(1)
Sound Track Album/CD	232	(1)
Summary	233	(2)
PART III THE REST OF THE STORY	235	(32)
Contractuals	237	(13)
Insurance	237	(2)
Errors and Omissions	237	(1)
Production Package	238	(1)
Cast	238	(1)
Negative	238	(1)
Third Party	238	(1)
Faulty Stock	238	(1)
Auto	238	(1)
Money and Securities	239	(1)
Extra Expense	239	(1)
Worker's Compensation	239	(1)
Completion Bond	239	(2)
The Legal Department	241	(1)
Why You Should Get a Lawyer	241	(1)
Getting the Right Lawyer	241	(1)
Clearances	241	(1)
Releases	242	(1)
Contracts for Cast, Crew, and Services	243	(3)
Publicity	246	(3)
The Unit Publicist	246	(2)
The Still Photographer	248	(1)
Press Day	249	(1)
Summary	249	(1)
Miscellaneous	250	(17)
Craft Services	250	(1)
The Craft Service Person	250	(2)
Pre-Production	251	(1)
Production	251	(1)
Choices for Good Craft Services	251	(1)
Catering	252	(1)
Hiring Catering Companies	252	(1)
The Last Supper	252	(1)
Set First Aid	253	(3)
Emergency Procedures	253	(3)
Set Massage Therapist	256	(1)
Production Etiquette	256	(1)
Unions, Guilds, and Associations	256	(9)
American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP)	257	(1)
International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE)	257	(1)
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW)	258	(1)
National Association of Broadcast Employees and Technicians (NABET)	258	(1)
Casting Society of America (CSA)	258	(1)
Actor's Equity Association (AEA)	259	(1)
American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA)	259	(1)
International Documentary Association (IDA)	259	(1)
Director's Guild of America (DGA)	260	(1)
Writer's Guild of America (WGA)	260	(1)
Screen Actor's Guild (SAG)	261	(1)
Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS)	261	(1)
Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (ATAS)	262	(1)
Producer's Guild of America (PGA)	262	(1)
American Association of Producers (AAP)	262	(1)
American Federation of Musicians (AFM)	263	(1)
The Film Foundation	263	(1)
National Association of Broadcasters (NAB)	263	(1)
American Film Marketing Association (AFMA)	264	(1)
American Film Market (AFM)	265	(1)
Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA)	265	(1)
Motion Picture Association (MPA)	265	(1)
Summary	265	(2)
Appendix: Guide to the CD-ROM	267	(6)
Glossary	273	(14)
Index	287