Wednesday, 14 May 2014
Wednesday, 7 May 2014
My Dream Job - Unit Stills Photography
What does this person have to do in their job?
The person in this job is responsible for taking photographs of the film set or studio shoots that are use to create the press and publicity for feature films (It can act like teaser photos to make you more interested in the film).
What phase of the film industry does the job role work in?
The Unit Still Photographer works in all stages of production. The stages that the Unit Stills Photographer works in are Pre-Production, Production, and Post-Production.
Explain why they are in a particular phase or more than one phase, if appropriate.
Production - During this phase, the Unit Stills Photographer is able to capture pictures of the set and the characters in action (whilst acting). This also means that the Unit Stills Photographer is able to let the viewers have a taste of how it looked like without the special effects being put in before everything is finished and ready for display in cinemas or on billboards (Having the green screen still set up in the background instead of a fancy outlandish setting).
Post-production - After the film has been filmed and in the process of being sorted out into trailers and the actual film itself, the Unit Stills Photographer can yet again take shots of the surroundings but this time without the characters/actors there so that he/she can get a clear picture of the set(s).
How do you become this role?
For this job role you don't need specific qualifications for Unit Stills Photography. College courses around the UK could provide you, or any other student taking the course, with a sound technical grounding as well as access to the work placement schemes.
What training is involved?
As stated above, you do NOT need any specific qualifications for the Unit Stills Photography. However, when considering taking a photo imaging course in a much higher education, the following courses have been thoroughly assessed by photo imaging industry and was awarded the Creative Skillset Tick for the high standards of education they provide and also to an extent of them preparing you for a photo imaging job.
What is the career path?
My career path would be that I go from free lancing and not get payed for doing the job, to getting hired by someone and making my way into the media industry by doing this job and getting payed.
Describe the different tasks of the role during pre-production, production, and post-production, if appropriate.
Pre-production - The Unit Stills Photographer can take quick but professional shots of the set before the actors and anyone else comes on set before the set is covered in wires and people clogging up the space. They can also take pictures of the actors before they go on set (e.g. whilst they're in makeup or after they have gotten the character costume on).
Production - The Unit Stills Photographer must take pictures of the set and the character whilst the film is in the making. Also, it is their job to not get in the way of other people when doing this as it can cause trouble and problems for the crew.
Post-production -The Unit Stills Photographer can take a clear shot of the set without catching anyone in the pictures (e.g. having someone walk across set when taking pictures of the set and green screen).
Who does this role work closely with?
The Unit Stills Photographer works closely with the people/crew below:
- Director
- Producer
- Lighting
- Camera Crew
- Set Designer
Describe the conditions of employment for the role.
- Shift Pattern: Works
- Night/day shoots:
- Pay: Salary is around £10092 - £37397 per year
- Type of contract e.g free lancer, low pay:
Explain the skills needed for the role:
- Personal skills: Common sense, able to listen and work well with others,
- Technical skills: Must be able to work a camera, must be able to follow orders,
- Other skills: Must have experience in a studio
Explain what experience is needed in order to progress into the role:
- Qualifications: You don't really need any specific course or qualifications however you need to be experienced in using equipment such as a camera (Obviously needed in this job), know how to change lenses properly and input different equipment into the camera (E.g. memory cards, different batteries etc).
- Work experience: Must have worked on at least two photo-shoots (e.g. must be used to the sort of working environment that requires you to move around a LOT).
- Other experiences: None.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of your dream job?
The advantages of my dream job:
-Traveling to different parts of the world
-Get paid for a job that I love doing
-Able to take professional photographers
-Might meet someone famous on the job (A VERY high chance)
The disadvantages of my dream job:
-Pay for flights/ travel
-Will have to pay for memory cards
-Sort out sleeping arrangements
-Get to location on own
Choose one other job e.g. the producer and compare your dream job to it. What is the same and what is different between the two?
- Conditions of employment: Must be able to follow instructions, have to be at the location on time, arrive dead on time when needed (will inform what time you are needed).
- The phases of film production:
-Pre Production: In this phase of the film production, the unit stills photographer works closely with they set designer, the director, the costume designer, producer, camera crew and cast manager.
-Production: In this phase of the film production, the unit stills photographer works with the actors, the camera crew, director and the producer.
Post Production: In this phase, the unit stills photographer yet again works with the director, the producer, camera crew and also the actors.
- Length of time working on a film: The length of time working on a film would be around six months or a year or even two years depending on how long it takes for the film to be made. For all three phases of the film production (Pre Production, Production and Post Production), it could take up to a year or two. Even though the unit stills photographer only takes pictures of the set, actors and ALL the crew involved with the film whilst it's in production, the unit stills photographer must stay through all the phases of production to obtain the photographs needed to draw the public/audience into watching and hopefully purchasing the film.
The person in this job is responsible for taking photographs of the film set or studio shoots that are use to create the press and publicity for feature films (It can act like teaser photos to make you more interested in the film).
What phase of the film industry does the job role work in?
The Unit Still Photographer works in all stages of production. The stages that the Unit Stills Photographer works in are Pre-Production, Production, and Post-Production.
Explain why they are in a particular phase or more than one phase, if appropriate.
Production - During this phase, the Unit Stills Photographer is able to capture pictures of the set and the characters in action (whilst acting). This also means that the Unit Stills Photographer is able to let the viewers have a taste of how it looked like without the special effects being put in before everything is finished and ready for display in cinemas or on billboards (Having the green screen still set up in the background instead of a fancy outlandish setting).
Post-production - After the film has been filmed and in the process of being sorted out into trailers and the actual film itself, the Unit Stills Photographer can yet again take shots of the surroundings but this time without the characters/actors there so that he/she can get a clear picture of the set(s).
How do you become this role?
For this job role you don't need specific qualifications for Unit Stills Photography. College courses around the UK could provide you, or any other student taking the course, with a sound technical grounding as well as access to the work placement schemes.
What training is involved?
As stated above, you do NOT need any specific qualifications for the Unit Stills Photography. However, when considering taking a photo imaging course in a much higher education, the following courses have been thoroughly assessed by photo imaging industry and was awarded the Creative Skillset Tick for the high standards of education they provide and also to an extent of them preparing you for a photo imaging job.
What is the career path?
My career path would be that I go from free lancing and not get payed for doing the job, to getting hired by someone and making my way into the media industry by doing this job and getting payed.
Describe the different tasks of the role during pre-production, production, and post-production, if appropriate.
Pre-production - The Unit Stills Photographer can take quick but professional shots of the set before the actors and anyone else comes on set before the set is covered in wires and people clogging up the space. They can also take pictures of the actors before they go on set (e.g. whilst they're in makeup or after they have gotten the character costume on).
Production - The Unit Stills Photographer must take pictures of the set and the character whilst the film is in the making. Also, it is their job to not get in the way of other people when doing this as it can cause trouble and problems for the crew.
Post-production -The Unit Stills Photographer can take a clear shot of the set without catching anyone in the pictures (e.g. having someone walk across set when taking pictures of the set and green screen).
Who does this role work closely with?
The Unit Stills Photographer works closely with the people/crew below:
- Director
- Producer
- Lighting
- Camera Crew
- Set Designer
Describe the conditions of employment for the role.
- Shift Pattern: Works
- Night/day shoots:
- Pay: Salary is around £10092 - £37397 per year
- Type of contract e.g free lancer, low pay:
Explain the skills needed for the role:
- Personal skills: Common sense, able to listen and work well with others,
- Technical skills: Must be able to work a camera, must be able to follow orders,
- Other skills: Must have experience in a studio
Explain what experience is needed in order to progress into the role:
- Qualifications: You don't really need any specific course or qualifications however you need to be experienced in using equipment such as a camera (Obviously needed in this job), know how to change lenses properly and input different equipment into the camera (E.g. memory cards, different batteries etc).
- Work experience: Must have worked on at least two photo-shoots (e.g. must be used to the sort of working environment that requires you to move around a LOT).
- Other experiences: None.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of your dream job?
The advantages of my dream job:
-Traveling to different parts of the world
-Get paid for a job that I love doing
-Able to take professional photographers
-Might meet someone famous on the job (A VERY high chance)
The disadvantages of my dream job:
-Pay for flights/ travel
-Will have to pay for memory cards
-Sort out sleeping arrangements
-Get to location on own
Choose one other job e.g. the producer and compare your dream job to it. What is the same and what is different between the two?
- Conditions of employment: Must be able to follow instructions, have to be at the location on time, arrive dead on time when needed (will inform what time you are needed).
- The phases of film production:
-Pre Production: In this phase of the film production, the unit stills photographer works closely with they set designer, the director, the costume designer, producer, camera crew and cast manager.
-Production: In this phase of the film production, the unit stills photographer works with the actors, the camera crew, director and the producer.
Post Production: In this phase, the unit stills photographer yet again works with the director, the producer, camera crew and also the actors.
- Length of time working on a film: The length of time working on a film would be around six months or a year or even two years depending on how long it takes for the film to be made. For all three phases of the film production (Pre Production, Production and Post Production), it could take up to a year or two. Even though the unit stills photographer only takes pictures of the set, actors and ALL the crew involved with the film whilst it's in production, the unit stills photographer must stay through all the phases of production to obtain the photographs needed to draw the public/audience into watching and hopefully purchasing the film.
Thursday, 10 April 2014
Assignment part 1 - Task 2
Who works in the film industry?
The people that work in the film industry are listed below:
Producer - This persons job is to prepare and then supervise the making of a film. Then presenting the finished product to a distributor or someone that will fund the film. Said person can either be an independent producer or an employed producer.
Distributor - A company or person responsible for the making of a film. This person or company might set a release date for the film and method in which a film will be put out to the audience for them to view (e.g. Trailers on TV, Posters, Online information).
Locations Manager - Finds and identifies the ideal location (set) for the film to be shot in. Once they have found the location, they will then notify the Producer and Director and also the Product Designer. The Locations Manager will also have to get all the crew, vehicle access, parking and noise reduction handled before everyone arrives on set.
Lighting - This person or rather people help to provide the amount of light needed in a scene as well as handling the power supply. If a shot needs a certain lighting affect, then the lighting crew will work with the director to pinpoint the exact, or get close to it, style of light or amount of lighting.
Set designer - The set designer is responsible or rather takes on the job to construct and get the set ready for the actors/actresses, director, producer etc. They must make sure that everything is to the directors and producers liking and must follow their (Producer and Director) visions on how the set looks in their mind.
Animal trainer - This person trains the animals if they are needed in film, such as telling a dog to behave in a certain way (e.g. Sit, stay, act normal, be protective, follow).
The UK film industry has a total workforce of 27,800 people. 62% of these people, which is a vast amount, are in exhibition. 4% of the workforce are in distribution. And the remaining 34% of the workforce are in production. Also, 5% of the workforce are in audio visual.
91% of the crew are often freelancers and only 9% are actual employees. The overall percentage of women working in film halts at around 43%. This is slightly greater than the overall percentage for the rest of the creative media industries (The percentage is 42%).
The percentage of people in the film industry that are from foreign backgrounds such as Black, Asian, or Minority Ethnic (BAME) stands at around 9%. With regards to cinema exhibition, this is the case for around 12% of the workforce. However, in distribution and production this is the case for only 4% or 5%. In these areas, 2% of workers define themselves as disabled. This is lower than the rest of audio visual and the entire economy's workforce. In both, they have about 5% of workers classing themselves as disabled.
The people that work in the film industry are listed below:
Producer - This persons job is to prepare and then supervise the making of a film. Then presenting the finished product to a distributor or someone that will fund the film. Said person can either be an independent producer or an employed producer.
Distributor - A company or person responsible for the making of a film. This person or company might set a release date for the film and method in which a film will be put out to the audience for them to view (e.g. Trailers on TV, Posters, Online information).
Locations Manager - Finds and identifies the ideal location (set) for the film to be shot in. Once they have found the location, they will then notify the Producer and Director and also the Product Designer. The Locations Manager will also have to get all the crew, vehicle access, parking and noise reduction handled before everyone arrives on set.
Lighting - This person or rather people help to provide the amount of light needed in a scene as well as handling the power supply. If a shot needs a certain lighting affect, then the lighting crew will work with the director to pinpoint the exact, or get close to it, style of light or amount of lighting.
Set designer - The set designer is responsible or rather takes on the job to construct and get the set ready for the actors/actresses, director, producer etc. They must make sure that everything is to the directors and producers liking and must follow their (Producer and Director) visions on how the set looks in their mind.
Animal trainer - This person trains the animals if they are needed in film, such as telling a dog to behave in a certain way (e.g. Sit, stay, act normal, be protective, follow).
The UK film industry has a total workforce of 27,800 people. 62% of these people, which is a vast amount, are in exhibition. 4% of the workforce are in distribution. And the remaining 34% of the workforce are in production. Also, 5% of the workforce are in audio visual.
91% of the crew are often freelancers and only 9% are actual employees. The overall percentage of women working in film halts at around 43%. This is slightly greater than the overall percentage for the rest of the creative media industries (The percentage is 42%).
The percentage of people in the film industry that are from foreign backgrounds such as Black, Asian, or Minority Ethnic (BAME) stands at around 9%. With regards to cinema exhibition, this is the case for around 12% of the workforce. However, in distribution and production this is the case for only 4% or 5%. In these areas, 2% of workers define themselves as disabled. This is lower than the rest of audio visual and the entire economy's workforce. In both, they have about 5% of workers classing themselves as disabled.
Thursday, 3 April 2014
Assignment Part 1 - Task 1
Using information from the website above write a paragrapher (4 or 5 sentences) on the film industry in your own words.
There are six different components in the film company. Development, Production, Facilities, Distribution, Exhibition and Export.
In Development, before anything is decided, you must imagine your storyline and hire a scriptwriter to put your vision onto paper. How the characters look, how they act, what they do, where they live and their surroundings. The Producer will also help with this vision as they get copy write for the rights of the script from the scriptwriter and providing funds for the film by finding investors. Usually the production company mostly set up certain productions and then shut them down once they are finished (Once the project has been completed).
In Production, the film will be in the process of being made. This means that the project will start to be recorded on cameras and the actors or/and actresses will begin to perform whilst being recorded. More crew will be hired in this stage of filmmaking such as Prop Constructor/Manager, Assistant Directors, Stills Photographer, Picture editor and Sound Editors. The people that have been hired will arrive on set or the location on their call time. Actors however normally have different call times as set construction, dressing and lighting can take many hours and possibly days. But things such as set construction is normally set up beforehand.
In Facilities, the film will be edited by the editor. This stage takes much more time than the actual shooting of the film and can take many months as it must be completely edited, colour corrected, addition of music and sound but also ready for being sent into cinemas or out in DVD's. Once all this has been completed, the finished project is ready to be shown in cinemas and sent out into the media audience. Allowing them to view it.
In the distribution stage, the director will hire a distributor to market the film towards a target audience. A release date will be set by this time and the method in how to release a film is to be made available for viewing (e.g. Either sent directly to the public, theatrically, or for home viewing) or exhibited. However, a the person distributing the film may only be able to deal with particular products such as selling it as DVD'S, Blu-ray or even in a different country or market.
The Exhibition stage is the stage where the exhibition department provides the final piece to the chain in finishing the production to the target audience in filmmaking. Since there are a limited amount of formal training schemes in the UK, a larger cinema chain will offer in-house training as an assistant. The exhibitions stage also helps provide a vital service in this industry as it projects the appropriate impression onto the audience. Depending on how suitable the film appears it will draw people in to watch it.
As for the Exporting stage, this is where the film is advertised on billboards, bus stops, the advertising before a film in the cinema, DVD's, on the TV and many more. This is a way to draw in their audience and is very similar to the distribution stage.
There are six different components in the film company. Development, Production, Facilities, Distribution, Exhibition and Export.
In Development, before anything is decided, you must imagine your storyline and hire a scriptwriter to put your vision onto paper. How the characters look, how they act, what they do, where they live and their surroundings. The Producer will also help with this vision as they get copy write for the rights of the script from the scriptwriter and providing funds for the film by finding investors. Usually the production company mostly set up certain productions and then shut them down once they are finished (Once the project has been completed).
In Production, the film will be in the process of being made. This means that the project will start to be recorded on cameras and the actors or/and actresses will begin to perform whilst being recorded. More crew will be hired in this stage of filmmaking such as Prop Constructor/Manager, Assistant Directors, Stills Photographer, Picture editor and Sound Editors. The people that have been hired will arrive on set or the location on their call time. Actors however normally have different call times as set construction, dressing and lighting can take many hours and possibly days. But things such as set construction is normally set up beforehand.
In Facilities, the film will be edited by the editor. This stage takes much more time than the actual shooting of the film and can take many months as it must be completely edited, colour corrected, addition of music and sound but also ready for being sent into cinemas or out in DVD's. Once all this has been completed, the finished project is ready to be shown in cinemas and sent out into the media audience. Allowing them to view it.
In the distribution stage, the director will hire a distributor to market the film towards a target audience. A release date will be set by this time and the method in how to release a film is to be made available for viewing (e.g. Either sent directly to the public, theatrically, or for home viewing) or exhibited. However, a the person distributing the film may only be able to deal with particular products such as selling it as DVD'S, Blu-ray or even in a different country or market.
The Exhibition stage is the stage where the exhibition department provides the final piece to the chain in finishing the production to the target audience in filmmaking. Since there are a limited amount of formal training schemes in the UK, a larger cinema chain will offer in-house training as an assistant. The exhibitions stage also helps provide a vital service in this industry as it projects the appropriate impression onto the audience. Depending on how suitable the film appears it will draw people in to watch it.
As for the Exporting stage, this is where the film is advertised on billboards, bus stops, the advertising before a film in the cinema, DVD's, on the TV and many more. This is a way to draw in their audience and is very similar to the distribution stage.
My Dream Job Images
The ten pictures below are few of many that I have gathered to show an example of what my dream job would look like as being apart of the Camera Operators.
Monday, 31 March 2014
Media Information Website
Websites:
Jelly Legs
An independent TV company that has been set up and run by both Craig Cash and Phil Mealey. They mostly focus on providing or rather producing pure quality comedy and drama for TV.
Baby Cow
Baby Cow is also an independent TV company and in 2000, Baby Cow teamed up with Tim Searle to form Baby Cow Animation. Then in 2001 Steve Coogan and Henry Normal formed Baby Cow films.
Comedy Unit
Comedy Unit is an independent company. This was only when Colin Gilbert and manager April Chamberlin left the BBC back in 1996.
Live Wire
Live Wire is an independent company that is directed and managed by Nikki Holmes. Live Wire works in news, current affairs and documentaries.
Jelly Legs
An independent TV company that has been set up and run by both Craig Cash and Phil Mealey. They mostly focus on providing or rather producing pure quality comedy and drama for TV.
Baby Cow
Baby Cow is also an independent TV company and in 2000, Baby Cow teamed up with Tim Searle to form Baby Cow Animation. Then in 2001 Steve Coogan and Henry Normal formed Baby Cow films.
Comedy Unit
Comedy Unit is an independent company. This was only when Colin Gilbert and manager April Chamberlin left the BBC back in 1996.
Live Wire
Live Wire is an independent company that is directed and managed by Nikki Holmes. Live Wire works in news, current affairs and documentaries.
Thursday, 27 March 2014
Job Role Timeline
The reason for this job role timeline is to show which jobs go where before, during and after the film. I think it is important to produce one of these job role timelines because then you're certain of which job goes where. In pre-production, Casting Director and Scriptwriter is in this stage. For the simple reason for that the scriptwriter needs to have written the script before anything and the casting director having to already have the cast/actors already booked in to shoot when they need them. In the middle of pre-production and production, there are more jobs such as Sound recordist, Make-up-artist-, Costume Designer, Location Manager and Actors. The sound recordist are in this section because they need to check that every bit of sound equipment is up and running before the shoot the film and also to check if there will be any feedback on the equipment because of the surroundings. The make-up-artist is also in this section because he/she needs to know what the director wants them to look like before the movie is shot. Costume Designers are in this section as well because this person needs to work closely with the director and the make-up-artist in order to get the right costume with the right look to please the director and producer. The Location Manager is a big part in this section because the director, actors and everyone else involved with the film needs a safe and almost soundless environment to film in. Actors are placed in the middle of these two stages because when they are needed, they come onto the set and act until the film is finished and the director and producer say it is finished.
_________________________________________________________________________________
Advantages of:
Casting Director
-You get to talk to the famous actors if the director and producer wants a famous actor in their film.
-Have the duty of listing them down to know that they are available.
-Need at the start of the production (Pre-production).
Scriptwriter
-Picked by the Producer and director to put their idea of the film into a story, to portray their ideas and putting it into your own vision.
-Writing the script before anything is decided.
-Is needed at the start of the production process (Pre-production).
-Switches back and forth between the directors ideas and your visions.
Sound Recordist
-Needed in the middle of the production stage and pre-production stage (Maybe longer all the way through to just before post-production).
-Sets up the sound equipment and manages any feedback from surroundings.
-Also manages any headsets to direct the actors on set on how they should act in the scene.
Make-Up-Artist
-Needed in the middle of the pre-production stage and the production stage to reapply make-up to the actors face.
-Allowing themselves to follow the directors vision using make-up.
-Becomes artistic in a sense when using different types of methods to apply make-up.
Costume Designer
-Needed in the middle of the pre-production and production stage to capture what sort of style the character has (Yet again following the directors image of the character).
-Finds the right costumes in the right sizes for the actors.
-Works closely with make-up-artist, Director, Producer and Set designer.
Location Manager
-Is needed in the middle of pre-production and production stage on the timeline.
-Must find a safe environment and suitable set for everyone to work in.
-Has to get everything ordered to the set and loaded in the right place.
Actors
-Needed in the pre-production and production stages.
-Have to be prepared.
-Have to know their lines.
Editor
-Needs to be in the post-production stage on the timeline.
-Sometimes have to bring their own editing equipment.
-Know which parts they have to edit in order (Beginning, Middle, End).
Director
-Must be in ALL pre-production, production, and post-production.
-Has the responsibility of directing actors, telling them which way they should act and how the scene should play out.
-Decides how the scene is shot in regards to filming.
Producer
-Watches over how the film is made.
-Also has to be in ALL stages of production.
-Can demand an extra scene if he/she wants it.
_________________________________________________________________________________
Disadvantages of:
Casting Director
-Has to go through the trouble of recruiting an Actor and filling in a call sheet.
-Could potentially get the wrong actor for the part.
-Job ends at pre-production.
Scriptwriter
-Has a certain date to write the script.
-Has to be creative and avoid writers block.
-Job ends at pre-production.
Sound Recordist
-Have to stand up with the equipment.
-Checking that ever piece of equipment is running smoothly.
-Move around with boom mic to get decent sound.
Make-Up-Artist
-Has to get the make-up perfectly right (e.g. the character has a bad attitude it wouldn't be a soft colours/make-up such as pink or yellow).
-Must discuss with the costume designer on how they're going to be dressed to match their attire.
-Definitely has to know how much make-up to put on and how much not to put on.
Costume Designer
-Has to get the characters clothing spot on for the directors/scriptwriters visions.
-Needs to find what make of clothing the director/scriptwriter wants the actor to wear.
-Time consuming to find certain clothes.
Location Manager
-Also time consuming to find the right locations.
-Has to make sure the locations are SAFE.
-Needs to unload all equipment to the area that they have chosen.
Actors
-Takes time to learn the script.
-Need to quickly put on their outfit for the character.
-Can't rely on looks alone.
Editor
-Must bring their own equipment at times.
-Has to take the time to finely edit the parts of the movie (After it has been filmed).
-Needs to discuss which section of the film goes where.
Director
-Can sometimes be misunderstood by the actors in which way to act.
-Must indicate which shot the camera crew should take (e.g. Close up, over the shoulder etc).
-Know if the scene is perfect or ready to be used in the movie.
Producer
-Has to find a distributor to fund the film.
-Needs to watch over the film. This can be time consuming.
-Must help director fulfil their wish.
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