Filmmaking Processes

Filmmaking can be a rewarding process or a hectic process. It works well when everyone knows their job and concentrates on their job during every part of the process. These are tried and true techniques that should be followed religiously for each take. Shortcuts will lead to mistakes and disorder.

Before each shot:

Lighting:

Grips (lighting), Director, and Director of Photography (DP) will work together to create the look of the shot.

Sound:

The Sound person will check the sound recording quality, levels. The sound person should always wear headphones to monitor sound, never trust that the equipment is working perfectly.

Director of Photography and Director:

Before the shot, the DP and Director will adjust the camera settings and practice the camera movement and focus throughout the shot.

Actors and Director:

Once everyone is ready, the Director and actors should discuss movements and line delivery. Camera should practice camera movements and focus during practice takes. Sound should also be following the actors, sound levels and quality during practice takes. Lighting and camera should pay attention to light conditions as actors move and consult with DP and Director on possible changes. Always ask after a take or practice take, not during.

(The following filmmaking process was adapted from 4filmmaking.com)

• 1. The Director confers with the actors about how to do the next take.

  2. The Director calls for "Quiet on the set!".

  3. The Director calls "Roll sound". (Historically sound and image were recorded on separate devices and sound tape is cheaper than film so you start the sound recording first.) If you are recording sound with the camera, leave this step out.

  4. The sound recordist responds "Sound rolling".

  5. The Director calls "Roll camera".

  6. The camera operator responds "Camera rolling".

  7. The Director or a Assistant Director "slates" the take.

  8. The director shouts "Action!".

  9. When the director feels the take is finished or even that the take is going badly and wants to stop it he shouts "Cut!".

  10. The sound recorder and camera operator stop their devices and the actors stop acting.

  11. Everyone checks their equipment in preparation for another take while the director confers with the actors.

If you are shorthanded and the director, camera person, and sound person are all one person, you don't have to yell "Roll Sound" and answer yourself with "Sound Rolling!" etc. but you should call for "Quiet on the set!", "Camera!" when the camera starts and "Action" when the action is to begin. End with "Cut!" so the actors and anyone in earshot knows you are done.

Exercise:

In groups of 5-6, roll play the filmmaking process for a few takes. Rotate through the jobs until everyone has played each part.