It’s A Team Thing!

Teamwork…That’s What I’m Talking About!

” title=”Logistical Nightmare Anyone?” src=”http://blitzandbananas.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/Ib018-1024×682.jpg” alt=”” width=”496″ height=”330″ />

Logistical Nightmare Anyone?

This is a quick canter around the different talents needed to make a film like Blitz and Bananas.

So saddle up and jump aloft your piebald pony as we ride off together into the cinematic sunset with a hearty “Heigh Ho Silver Away!”

Directing The Talent

Director

The one with the vision. With the task of overall management it’s the director’s job to pull everything together infront of the cameras. From the performance of the actors to the choice of camera angles, from the time of day picked for filming to what to do when the weather turns nasty, it’s all down to the director to decide. Delegation is vital but the director is the one with the final say-so and the one with ultimate control.

The Director's Assistant at work

Director’s Assistant

Self explanatory this one. Responsible for keeping the director informed and communicating with the crew on the director’s behalf. This person must liase closely with the director at all times and be their eyes and ears.

Keep to the Script!

Production Assistant

One of several administrative roles with the task of oiling the wheels of the production. It is their job to make sure that the costumes are ready for example, or that the location for the next scene has been prepared by the set dressers. The production assistant must be well organized and energetic as well as diplomatic and a good communicator.

Keep it Moving Please

Producer

Often misunderstood it’s the producer’s role to ensure that the film gets made in the first place. From raising finance and marshalling resources to bringing together the numerous ingredients needed to take a movie from idea to screen.

It is they who recognize the merit of the film and will do everything they can to help it achieve it’s potential.

The producer is responsible for organizing location, crew, props, talent, costumes, catering and the many small but vital elements needed for a big production.

This job requires a business mind in contrast to the director who is more creative and artistic.

I think I'm In Charge Here!

Director of Photography

Another part of the creative team it is the job of the director of photography to realise the director’s vision, to capture on camera the scenes as the director sees them. This requires the use of different lenses, control of perspective and exposure, input into the choice of camera angle and generally all the technical skills needed to record the action to the director’s satisfaction.

That's Perfect!

Would the scene be filmed best from close-up with a wide angle lens or from the distance with a long lens? Should the camera viewpoint be higher, lower or level with the subject? Should the camera be tripod mounted or hand held? Should the camera pan with the action or track? All these questions and more must be addressed by the DOP and answered in consideration to the director’s requirements.

It is the DOP’s job to organize the lighting and direct the camera operators.

Are These Really My Trousers?

Continuity Person

Underrated perhaps but extremely important as all those ‘blooper’ type shows on the telly make plain. It is the continuity person’s thankless task to make sure that a consistent look is maintained between scenes, something that’s not as easy as it sounds when scenes are quite possibly filmed over several days, weeks or even months! To prevent the film from looking disjointed the actors must look the same and the props placed the same from shot to shot. Copious use of notes and a digital camera is required.

It's A Funny Old World

Script Supervisor

Someone who ensures that the filming keeps to the script, that nothing is missed out in the confusion of a hectic shooting schedule, and that all the scenes are shot as required. Are you definitely sure that scene has been filmed? The script supervisor must answer that question and know when it was filmed and possibly how long it took too.

Is That the Right Way Round?

Clapper Board Operator

Seems simple doesn’t it? All you have to do is hold that clapper thing infront of the camera and snap the jaws together with that delicious crack!

Isn't This Cosy?

Of course there’s actually a lot more to it than that. The purpose of the clapper board is to mark the beginning of each scene and to record which take it is. This information is vital for the editor who must trawl through multipal takes of numerous scenes recorded on several cameras at any one time.

On Top Of The World Ma

To synchronise the footage of the different cameras the editor must be able to line them up accurately on the computer. The sound of the clapper board’s ‘clap’ and the information written on it is recorded by each camera filming the scene and gives a marker for the editing process.

Run sonny Run!

The clapper board operator needs to keep abreast of the scene and take number and ensure the information on the board is correct and upto date.

A Forest Of Lights

This is just part of the extensive crew needed to bring a big production like Blitz and Bananas to fruitition but hopefully this short guide gives you an idea of just what’s involved.

I haven’t named all the wonderful people who helped in one capacity or another in the filming of Blitz and Bananas, but you know who you are and I hope you’re glowing with pride at the great job you did!

Simon Earwicker