post 10- Job Roles Research

Job Roles research:
As with any project there are certain roles which people need to take, each with different roles within the project and each contribute accordingly. I will be looking at the different departments that help create a film and the different jobs within the departments.

DIRECTION: This department is perhaps considered most important in any media production as without it, the project wouldn't happen. Perhaps the most known person of this department is the director himself. This person is responsible for the creative direction and overall vision of the film. (Beneath the Coen Brothers, famous directors for films such as No Country For Old Men)The director however is not alone in this as there is support for the director.

-The First Assistant Director : This is the directors 'right hand man' who takes on tasks that the director doesn't have time to deal with, allowing the director to focus on the creative aspects of the film.

-The Second Assistant Director: This is the first assistants 'right hand man'. Their main responsibilities are to draw up call sheets and making sure the cast are where they should be at the correct time.

-The Third Assistant Director: This is the person who helps the first and second assistant directors in whatever way possible on set or location. They normally deal with the extras and coordinate them, making sure they are doing what they are meant to do.

-The Floor Runner: This is the opening level for anyone on the production team, many directors start off as runners and work their way up the chain of command. They do whatever errands they are given such as conveying messages, looking after the crew and cast or transporting equipment.

CAMERA: Having good cinematography always helps the creative aspects if any film. Having unique cinematography helps define and make a film its own, setting it apart from anything else. The director of cinematography has the job of manipulating light and shade, using different shot compositions and different camera movements to help the audience know more about the character than perhaps dialogue can.

-The Director of Photography: This is the head of the department and holds one of the most creative roles in the film. These are requested to be part of the film by the director, however however the studio and the financiers must approve of them before they can join the team. The director of photography works incredibly closely with the production designer and director so they can finalise the visual style for the film.

-The Script Supervisor: This person works with the camera department making sure that everything that is filmed makes coherent sense with the script.

-The Camera Operator: These have a vital role within the production of the film. These are the people who have to follow the directions of the director of photography incredibly accurately, making sure they get the correct shot composition.

-The First Assistant Camera- These are the people who make sure that character stays in 'focus' by 'pulling focus'.

-The Second Assistant Camera: These are the people who are responsible for the smooth running of the camera department. They were formerly known as the Clapper Loader.

There are many other members of the camera department who either help film in special scenarios such as underwater or from incredibly high angles or who help construct or manage the equipment needed such as the grip and crane operator.

The Lighting Department: This is a very important department as it helps establish the mood of a particular scene, a certain atmosphere or just making sure the actors are seen appropriately in the scene. The director of photography is in charge of this department. There are several specific jobs which are vital to the running of the department.

-The Gaffer: The Gaffer is in charge of all electrical work on the production. They are in charge of a team of electricians who set up and install all the electrical equipment such as lights and power supplies.

-The Best Boy: This is considered to be the best electrician in the gaffers team. The best boy coordinates a team of lighting technicians and deals with the logistics and paperwork.

-The lighting technician: They help provide the relevant lighting and power supply for the project, whether it be in a studio or on location.

-The Moving Light Operator: This is the person who operates the automated lights which are chosen by the director of photography.

Production sound: Even though a film is associated with being a visual masterpiece, it cannot be truly great it there is no sound to accompany it. There is dialogue and other noises that are essential to a story and how it is told.

-Production Sound Mixer: This is the person who is responsible for recording the sound during filming and also has to make sure that the sound is of a decent quality.

-Boom Operator: This is the person who is in charge of placing the microphones so that they can get the best sound. However they must be careful not to get in the way of the camera operation or the actors freedom to act.

-Sound Assistant: These are the people who provide general back up and support for the sound mixers and boom operators. They have to make sure they have the correct stock and make sure the department runs as smoothly as possible.

Art Department: A film can be set or located anywhere. The art department has the job of making this world be seen as realistic as possible both to the audience and to the actors, whether they are in a ice palace or in the wild west. A great deal of work is put into making sure the location or set looks appropriate.

-Production designer: These are responsible for the entire art department and play a vital role in helping the director achieve their ideal visual style. They also have to carefully calculate schedules and find ways of making the film within an agreed budget and within a specific time. They have to make sure they can attract the audience with the setting of the film and put lots of time in the pre production giving them the best opportunity to.

-Art Director: They act as project managers for the art department. They help make and design the production designers creative vision for the location and eventually help create the films visual uniqueness. They are also responsible for the art departments budget and the working schedule.

-Set Decorator: Although this isn't the biggest job it is still vitally important for the art department. They are responisble for providing anything that furnishes a set.

-Storyboard Artist: They are responsible of transforming a written screenplay into a series of illustrations that depict the screenplay. This is extremley helpful as it helps the directors know what they want to achieve and also helps the art department know what they will need to make or provide for the location or set.

Applying these jobs to my own project:

Having noticed that these jobs require many different people to fufill these roles and with my A2 class having 5 people in the class, I came to the conclusion that within my group the jobs and responsiblites would have to be divided between the members of the group. As there are only 3 people in my group I believe that the roles should fall accordingly:

Person 1:Director. I believe that whoevers film is chosen should remain directoras it is their original vision and no-one would have a true understanding like they do. They will also more likely be involved with chosing the location, as they originally visualised where the story will take place. They may also be deemed as head of the other departments such as camera, lighting, sound and the art department.

Person 2 and 3: They would split the roles of camera and lighting between each other, with one person filming and the other making sure the lighting was adequate. If there is no lighting required then they would be in charge of making sure the props were where they should be and making sure that they have the props with them.