Working in a Short Film Project

MCS 301 FILM PRODUCTION AND EDITING SHORT FILM PROJECT ROLE DESCRIPTIONS

Fall 2009

Working in a short film project

In this course you are supposed to work in a short film project. Each and every student has to take a role in one of these projects. The roles are defined in detail and they will be explained to students. Students will have an opportunity to specify which roles they would like to take.

Role Allocations

Students will be asked which role they wish to take at the beginning of the course. The instructor will decide the final role allocations. Student wishes will be the first concern yet it is not guaranteed that every student will take his/her desired role. Objections to role allocations are NOT appreciated.


Roles

Director & Assistant Director

The responsibilities of this team can be listed as follows:

• Organizing the group work
• Ensuring good communication among group members
• Conflict resolution in group work
• Monitoring script-writing process
• Monitoring storyboard preparation process
• Taking part in casting decision
• Organizing the shooting schedule
o The shooting schedule should be in written format and distributed to team members and the instructor before the shooting starts.
• Monitoring the editing process


Script Writer

The script writer takes the chosen idea from the shooting stills project and develops it. S/he adds dialogue and scene descriptions. S/he works closely with the directing team in finalizing the script. S/he hands in two drafts of the scripts: 1st draft and final draft. Deadlines for the drafts will be announced later.



Director of Photography

Director of photography creates a detailed storyboard of the script. The storyboard includes all the shot descriptions and possible camera movements. S/he works closely with script writer in modifying the script during the storyboard writing process and creates the first draft of the storyboard. S/he finalizes his/her work with the directing team and hands in the storyboard on the specified deadline.

1st Producer & 2nd Producer

The duties of the producing team are:

• Preparing and managing the production budget: All participants in the project are supposed to contribute to the production budget. Project contribution fee for the movie project is 10 TL. Production team is in charge of collecting the project contribution fees and handing in receipts to the payers. S/he is supposed to put the copies of all receipts in the budget dossier. After collecting the budget s/he makes a list of the cost items for the project with the director. S/he collects slips for the expenses and puts them in the budget dossier. If any money is left over s/he is responsible for distributing the remaining amount equally to the payers and collect discharges for the left over payments. Copies of discharges should also be included in the budget dossier.

• Transportation: If any need for transportation occurs (actors, equipment, crew etc.) production team is in charge of arranging it properly. Transportation expenses should be documented with slips and put in the budget dossier.

• Food & Beverage: The food and beverage needs of the crew and actors are VERY important for the shooting. The producing team plans carefully these needs. Collects information about specific needs of the crew or the actors beforehand. The food and beverage consumption times should be determined before shooting day with the director and these times should be noted down in the shooting schedule.

• Casting: Producing team is in charge of arranging the casting calls. The directing team and producing team determine the possible actors for the film project together. Producing team is responsible for contacting with these possible actors. S/he fixes the date for the rehearsal shooting and announces the date and time to the crew. S/he is in charge of supplying the accommodation needs of the actors.

• Booking and checking equipment: Producing team is responsible for checking the necessary equipment out for the rehearsal, location and studio shootings. S/he is supposed to ensure the necessary equipment is working properly and the crew is ready to do their work without any major technical problems.

• Copying documents: Copying necessary documents and distributing them to the relevant crewmembers is the responsibility of producing team. Shooting schedule and script should be distributed to all crewmembers.



• Shooting runner: Producing team is supposed to have in close contact with the director during shooting. Any kind of practical problem occurred during the shooting should be handled by the producing team first. If it’s not fixed then director or instructor can intervene in the issue.


1st Camera Operator & 2nd Camera Operator

In location shootings two camera operators work together. They are supposed to help each other in mounting and balancing the tripod and safely placing the camera on it. They are expected to follow all the instructions given in class on operating the camera safely.
They are simply expected to follow the instructions noted down in the camera checklist. Their roles are predetermined with the shooting schedule prepared by the director. During shooting they take the instructions from the director or director of photography.

1st Editor & 2nd Editor

The editing team completes the short film project. They both finalize the visual and sound editing of the project. They prepare the titles. After finishing the project they burn the film to a DVD. They also prepare the DVD cover of the project and hand in the final project at the specified deadline. During this process they work together with the directing team. If any conflict occurs in the editing process director gives the final decision.

Lighting Operator/s

Lighting operators are supposed to operate the lights during shooting. They are supposed to decide the right lighting for each scene. They work closely with the director of photography in determining the lighting scheme of each scene. They hand in the lighting scheme document to the instructor at the specified deadline. They are responsible in choosing the right lighting equipment. They work together with producing team in checking out the lighting equipment. Lighting operators are responsible for the safety of both the equipment and the crew.

Sound Operators

Sound operator/s are responsible for recording sound during shootings. S/he is in charge of choosing the right audio equipment and properly operating it during the shooting. S/he listens the whole shooting and intervenes if any problem occurs. They also record the white noise and prepare follies if it is needed. They help the editing team during the sound editing process.

Sharing the workload

Roles allocated to team are team projects. Teams should specify how they will be sharing the work load and write down their work allocations. Workload sharing documents should be hand in on specified deadlines.