Producing a Motion Picture The skills and talents of many different people are involved in filmmaking. The stars and other actors who appear on the screen are only part of the story; most of what goes into a production takes place off-camera. Depending on the size, or scale, of the production, and the financing available, thousands of people may have a part in producing a motion picture. The following descriptions of the duties performed by the people involved in producing a motion picture apply mainly to the feature film. Among those who are most prominent behind the scenes are the producer, screenwriter, director, production manager, assistant director, director of photography, casting director, film and sound editors, composer, and production and costume designers. The Producer The producer is responsible for turning a film idea into a finished motion picture by arranging for the financing of the project, gathering the talent to make the film, and, finally, making arrangements for distributing the finished product. When financing has been obtained from independent investors who form a limited partnership, the producer is often made the general, or managing, partner. A studio or distributor that has financed the motion picture may require a representative, called an executive producer, to be involved during production. A person contributing substantially in any manner to the motion picture may receive the credit of associate producer or some other similar title.

      

The Screenwriter The function of screenwriters varies greatly with the type of film being produced. A screenwriter may be called upon to develop an idea or to adapt a novel, stage play, or musical to the special requirements of the screen. The first step in writing a script is usually creating an outline, a one- or two-page description of the action or plot. This is followed by a treatment, which is a detailed description of the film, usually containing passages of dialogue, with all the scenes sketched out and the subplots in position. Upon approval, the writer may begin writing the script, or screenplay, which details all the dialogue and action. In a few cases, scripts also indicate the camera movements and editing; however, today these are considered specialized fields that are under the control of the director. Unlike a stage play, a screenplay is usually purchased outright; consequently, the producers may do what they want with it. The Director The key person in the making of a film is the director, the individual who visualizes the script and guides the production crew and actors to carry out that vision. The director has artistic control over everything from the script itself to the final cut of the film. It is the director's sense of the dramatic along with the creative visualization of the script that transforms a story into a well-made motion picture. The producer usually selects the director. Along with the producer, the director then puts together the production team.

      

The Director of Photography (DP) The DP, also known as cinematographer or cameraperson, works closely with the director and interprets in terms of light, shade, and composition the director's feeling for the mood and atmosphere of each shot. Other cinematographers may be retained to shoot special effects—the camera tricks that add to the scale and spectacle of a film.

      

The Casting Director In the selection of actors for a film, casting directors take many factors into account, such as an actor's suitability to the role, box-office appeal, acting ability, and experience. Depending on the situation, experience may or may not outweigh the other factors. As a practical matter, some actors and directors work together on many productions during their careers.

      

The Unit Production Manager (UPM) The UPM is responsible to the producer for scheduling, selecting many of the crew, arranging for permits from various authorities and owners to shoot at locations outside the studio, overseeing the purchase of goods and services needed for the production, and handling the day-to-day business of running the production office. The Assistant Director (AD) Several ADs are frequently assigned to a motion picture, depending on the budget and complexity of the production. The first AD sees to it that the production schedules are met and submits the following day's call sheet for approval by the UPM and the director. The first AD works along with the director during shooting, assisting in the preparation for each shot. The second AD assists the first AD by having the cast and crew in the right places at the right times, looking after extras (also called ambience), and taking care of all the details involved in preparing for the next day's schedule. The Editors In as much as motion pictures are an assemblage of hundreds of brief shots, the arrangement of these shots into a smooth-flowing, rhythmic whole is a specialized art. This arrangement is the function of the editors, who in turn supervise teams of specialists in the cutting and editing of sound tracks and film negatives. The editor starts by synchronizing the film to the sound track and by screening the film footage (called dailies or rushes) for the director and key members of the crew. Many motion pictures are now edited on videotape and then transferred back onto film after the editing is completed. Preparation of the rushes continues each day throughout the production period. After the principal photography is completed, post-production starts, by which time the editor has compiled almost all the material needed to complete an assembly of the motion picture. After the director and producer have approved the final print, either the editor or a specialized sound editor corrects any sound recording problems. If necessary, the sound editor re-records the actors in a studio while viewing the action on a screen. This is known as automated dialogue replacement (ADR), formerly called looping. Editors and sound editors also gather sound recordings and sometimes create new sounds (sound effects) to enhance the dramatic content of the scenes. While the sound is being prepared, the editor also supervises optical effects and titles that are to be inserted into the motion picture. One of the final steps in the editing process is the preparation and mixing of the separate sound tracks onto one master magnetic film that will contain separate dialogue, music, and sound effects tracks in synchronization with the print. The music and effect (M&E) tracks are required for foreign distribution. The Composer The composer creates the musical score that accompanies other sounds and dialogue or just the photographic image. The composer works with the director and editor to enhance the dramatic content of the scene. Music can establish a mood as well as conjure up any number of emotions in seconds. For example, music can identify a person as being suspicious when there is nothing visible on the screen to suggest such a characteristic. Music can also be a bridge from one scene to another in order to prepare the audience for the mood of the next scene. Musical themes are composed for the story, and one or two characters may have their own themes, either related to or separate from the main theme.

      

The Designers Generally the art director of a production, the person who is responsible for the set designs and the overall look of the film, is called the production designer. In motion pictures where the actors' clothing is an important part of that look, such as in historical epics, the costume designer is a key member of the production team. Other designers are concerned directly with lighting, makeup, and other visual aspects of the production.

      

Film Distribution and Ancillary Markets Distributors lease motion pictures from the producer or production company, promote and advertise the film, distribute copies of the film to exhibitors—generally individual movie houses or chains of theaters—throughout the world, arrange for cable and broadcast television release and cassette distribution to stores worldwide, and keep records of the income and expenses for all aspects of film distribution. Frequently, these tasks are subcontracted to distributors that specialize in foreign markets or in a particular market. The producer pays for this service by giving the distributor a percentage of the revenue, ranging from 10 to 50 percent of the motion picture's net income. Additionally, the distributor will deduct from the producer's share of the net profits the cost for supplying prints of the film, and for advertising and promotion. Ancillary markets are those income-producing markets that were not the primary target of the motion picture. These markets include the production of such items as children's toys and games, T-shirts, and music recordings from the score of the film. Frequently, producers will attract well-known composers by permitting them to retain all ancillary rights to their film music.

      

Microsoft Illustration & Literature Courtesy of: "Motion Picture," Microsoft (R) Encarta. Copyright (c) 1994 Microsoft Corporation. Copyright (c) 1994 Funk & Wagnall's Corporation. UNIQUE VISITORS