There is a lot of talk about the craft and commerce of cinema these days. It seems that everyone is afraid of the computer and everything that goes along with it. This is understandable, but it is important to keep in mind that every successful film requires a team of talented people who work together to make each shot work.
As a filmmaker, I believe that the most difficult part of making a film is getting past the notion that there are only two kinds of people involved in this business. The first kind of person I would say is the director. Most students feel that the director holds all of the power because they have all of the money needed to complete their film. On the contrary, it is the director who must understand what the student is trying to accomplish with the film and guide the student in the right direction.
The second type of person I would say is the editor. Students think that the editor just goes along with the story and does what the director tells them to do. In reality, the editor is someone who needs to collaborate with the director in order to make the best cut possible. Film editors need help not only in selecting the scenes, but they also need help in explaining the storyboards and organizing the shots.
The most important thing to understand about the process of cinema and the industry is the PROPOSITIONING process. In the case of film, the most important piece of property a student must possess is their student film’s manuscript. It is the responsibility of the student to research and create a strong marketing plan. This will aid in the process of selling their screenplay to a possible producer.
The next aspect of cinema is editing. Editing is one of the most important skills a student can posses. It allows a filmmaker to shape a film into the desired product that they envisioned. Film editing is actually the process in which lines are deleted or inserted so that a film remains true to its artistic and commercial meaning. An editor is an important part of the team that makes a film because they have the experience necessary to help lead the crew into success.
The production assistant, sometimes called the camera man is the person who assists the director and the other crew members in the process of shooting a film. The assistant is not solely responsible for carrying out the necessary tasks, but also assisting the director in the process of shooting the film. It is important for the master of the craft to be aware of the responsibilities of the camera man in the creation of the film. Most assistants work under the supervision of the master of the craft. However, this is not always the case.
A director’s assistant is very important as it provides an individual with the experience necessary to assist them in the creative process. It is the assistant who understands how to operate the lighting equipment and the sound equipment involved in a film shoot. This person is often the first point of contact for the director when it comes to questions or problems that may arise during the process. The director’s assistant is not just there to assist the director, but is there to develop and understand the artistic vision of the director.