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Assignment 1: (Task 4) My Dream Job

In this essay I will discuss my dream job which is the role of a film director. In this Essay I will also answer the questions...

• What does this person have to do in their job ?
• What phase of the film industry does the job role work in ?
• How do you become this role ?
• What training is involved ?
• What is the career path ?
• What are the personal skills needed for the job ?
• What are the technical skills needed for the job ?
• Are they other skills which are needed for this role ?
• What are the qualifications needed ?
• What work experience is needed ?
• Are they other experiences which are needed ?

A film directors job would be to visualise the film and conduct the actors performances. You are in charge of the films creative side. A directors job would be to work in all three stages of production.

• Pre-Production- In pre-production the director job would be to supervise the films casting choices. They would also need to approve the script and storyboards.
• Production - In production the director would lead during the filming stage, during this stage you would visualise shots and motivate the actors.
• Post-Production - In post-production the director would sit with editor, and would make alterations and approve or disapprove of the edits made to the film.

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They are several steps to becoming a film director, Such as..

Watch/ Study Films - An inspiring film director would continually watch and study films. People who do these are generally considered Film or Movie "Buffs". A film buff would sometimes see the same film over and over. An inspiring director would also pick out things that they are inspired by and things that they would improve on in the film, this could be shots, editing, camera movement, acting, script, or anything which sticks out as being a positive or negative.

Make Short Films - A director would need to gain experience, and this would usually start by making short amateur films with his or her friends. This helps you gain technical skills which you would need to help you become a director. such as, learning how to edit, write, act and do everything else in-between.

Education - Although not all directors go to film school, it is still a good way for understanding film in a more focused environment. During education a film director would have access to apprenticeships, workshops, and would get to know people in the industry, which could create good networking which could help your future career.

Employment - A film director would likely start their career as working in a production crew. This maybe filling paperwork or getting tea and hobnobs for the cast and crew, Or nightshifts looking after the camera and stage equipment. Either way it's experience for the your job role.

Networking - To became a film director you would need connections. This is called 'networking'. The more people he or she will know the more job opportunities will arise for them.

Multiple Jobs - As a director you will need a reel and for a good reel, you will need to expan your horizons, this maybe making music videos or promotional advertisements for a company.


Enter Film Festivals - During this stage a director should be making more professional films. They may only be ten minutes long, or a feature length film. But either way it is worth considering, and you may gain a good recognition within the independent film industry. An successful example of this would be Quentin Tarrantino's "Reservoir Dogs".

Assemble Your Reel - At this point, the director would assemble their portfolios. Their reel would contain everything they have done their careers and education up to this point. Such as your educational experience, a resume, contact information, footage that shows skills such as editing, writing, animation and cinematography, Film festivals that they have entered and other miscellaneous experience.

Hire an Agent - At this point usually a director would be looking to hire an agent. The agent would negotiate the directors contracts and recommend what jobs best fit you. A major part in the agents job would be to calculate the directors "gross points". This means how much the movie makes and how much percentage the director has. This may not be important if its a small independent film. But if your film is expected to make the billion dollar mark, the "gross points" are paramount.

Join a Union - Some directors join an union. This means they are paid on a fixed term, Which means your guaranteed money for amount of time.

For example: The Directors Guild Of America provides a salary of $160,000 for ten weeks.

Make Films: The most important part of being a director is directing films. Once a director is on top, there free to capture their imaginations on-screen, for the world to see.





Qualifications

 While their isn't any formal qualifications that are needed to become a film director. Experience is still vital, This could mean making short films or work experience Or going to university and earn a bachelor's degree.

The most important qualifications is your skills set, which should all be shown in your reel. The more experience the better chance you have of becoming a film director.

Work Experience



Many directors work their way up into the film industry. Some its important to gain some work experience. This may be working as a runner or working as an assistant in a production office. This experience may lead onto larger job roles such as being a camera operator or even a location manger.

Many people who work in the British film industry use MandyJobs.com to find  jobs or work experience.


In conclusion there are many aspects to become a film director. The key is gaining this role is all in the experience. Most directors start from the bottom or get lucky by networking in the industry.

Asssinment 1: (Task 3) My Dream Job Images

The film industry can be a few large companies or a quantity of small companies. The larger companies  in the UK such as 'Working Title' are based in London, while the small companies like 'Warp Films' can be more spread out into rural and sub-urban areas. The job role I desire is a film director. For this task I have selected 10 images that would represent a director.

 

Assignment 1: (Task 2) Who Works In Film ?

Who Works In Film ?

The film industry can be a few large companies or a quantity of small companies. The larger companies  in the UK such as 'Working Title' are based in London, while the small companies like 'Warp Films' can be more spread out into rural and sub-urban areas. 

- Nicolas Winding Refn ( The Director)

Nicolas Winding Refn is a Danish film director who makes independent "art-house" films, such as 'Drive' and 'Only God Forgives'.  As the director, Refn would work in all three stages of film production.

• Pre-Production - The director would work approve or disapprove of the films casting, storyboards, Script approval.
• Production - The director would be in charge of the filming stage, He would visualise shots, and motivate the actors.
• Post-Production - Refn would sit with the editor, and would have to approve any cuts made to the film.

Because his role is short term Nicolas Winding Refn (The Director) is likely to be paid on a free-lance basis.

                                 

Terence Winter (The Screenwriter)

Terence Winter is an American film and television screenwriter who has written for projects such as HBO's 'Boardwalk Empire' and 'Game Of Thrones'. Recently Winter has worked on Martin Scorsese's 2013 film 'The Wolf Of Wall Street'. As a screenwriter Winter would only work in the film's development stage.

Because he only works in pre-production Terence Winter would be on freelance pay.

David Heyman (The Producer)

 

David Heyman is a British film producer. His works included the Harry Potter Film Franchise and recently the Academy Award winning 'Gravity'. As a film producer Heyman would work in all three stages of film production.

• Pre-Production -The producer would calculate a budget and hire the films crew. Such as the director and screenwriter.
• Production - The producer would supervise the whole set during the filming stage.
• Post-Production -Heyman would sit with the director and editor to supervise the films edit.

Often a producer would be working in-house with a film company. So they would receive Full Time Payment. If a producer owns there own company they would work on a freelance basis.



 Sally Menke (The Editor)

 

 Sally Menke was an American film editor. Her career spanned over 20 years, Menke has worked on films such as 'Mulholland Falls' and 'Heaven & Earth', but is widely known for her long running collaboration with director Quentin Tarrantino which began with his debut 'Reservoir Dogs' and lasted until 'Inglorious Basterds'. She died a year after the film was released.

Being an editor Menke would only work in the post production stage. She would have been likely to be paid on a "freelance" basis.

                 

Hans Zimmer (Music Composer)

 

Hans Zimmer is a German film composer. His has scored for films such as 'The Lion King, Thin Red Line, Gladiator, The Dark Knight, and recently '12 Years A Slave'.

• Pre-Production - The film composer would work with the director and producer during this stage, they would discuss ideas and create a demo score.
• Production - Zimmer would begin to record the films soundtrack with the films hired orchestrator.

Post-Production - The composer would deliver the score to the producer. From there Zimmers work would be supervised by the music agents.

 

 

Leonardo Dicaprio (The Actor) 

 

 

Leonardo Dicaprio is an American Film Actor. His films include 'This Boy's Life, What's Eating Gilbert Grape, Titanic, The Aviator, Django Unchained and recently Martian Scorsese's 'The Wolf Of Wall Street'.

 

Pre Production - The actor would audition for the role and then would do rehearsals in which he would work with the director.

 

Production - Dicaprio would work closely with the director during filming in the production stage.

 

As an actor, Dicaprio is likely to be paid on contract during or after the production.





Assignment 1: (Task 1) Discribing The Film Idustry

The film industry is part of the creative media industry. The film industry has six different components:

• Development - The development stage is when a film is during the pre-production stage.
• Production - The Production stage is when the film is physically being made. Filming/Editing.
• Facilities - The facilities is the stage when the film is being distributed.
• Exhibition - The exhibition stage is when the film is being shown to an audience.
• Export - The export stage is when the film is being sold for retail purchases.

This information was research by using www.creativeskillset.org.

Identifying Jobs

Babycow - Babycow is a british independent film studio founded by Steve Coogan. The job role is a camera operator. Which is paid and has a duration of one day. The film is an animation.

Jellylegs - Jellylegs is a British independent film and television company. The job role is a camera operator. The job is temporary and it's duration lasts 10 days. The job is located in Bradlord.

Job Role Timeline

Scriptwriter - A scriptwriter is a person who would write the film. A scriptwriter would have to work before pre-production began, know as the development stage, because the script needs to be written before production on the film can begin.

advantage - Your in charge of your own job. 

disadvantage - You are given a deadline, which only gives you a limited amount of time, and as soon   as development has finished you are no longer working.

Director - A director is a person which is in charge of the creative aspect of the film. He/She would need to be in pre-production because they need to know who's in the film and work with the main actors during the rehearsal stage. The director would also have to work with the producer during this stage.

advantage - Your in charge of the creative side of things, and it's overall your film.

disadvantage - Because your in charge you will work long hours covering different sectors of work.

Producer - A producer is a person who is in charge of the finacial part of the film, the producer also supervises the film during it's entire production. It's important for a producer to be involved with the pre-production stage of the film because it's the planning of the film were they would have to hire people, create deadlines, and approximate the entire cost of the films budget.

Advantage - You work throughout the whole production, your job is secure.

Disadvantage - Your job takes a lot of reasonability, and if something goes wrong it's your resposabilty.

Sound Recordist - A sound recordist is a person who would make sure the sound is right for the film during production, but it is also important for them to work during pre-production of the film because they need to work with the location manger during recce's to see if the sound of the set location for the film. The sound recordist job ends after production has concluded. This also apply's to the make up artist because they need to discuss with the director and costume designer. 

advantage - You get to work with the director and location manger, and this could create a good network for your future career. 

disadvantage - A disadvantage of this job is that after production your job role ends, so in post-production your work is no longer needed.

Editor - A editor is a person who would edit the film after filming for it's theatrical release. The editor would closely work with the director because, the final edit will be what the audience will see during the film's theatrical run. The director would vote to keep or lose a scene. The producer would also work closely with the editor because they would need to supervise the edit and see how the overall project.
Advantages - You get to work closely with the director, You gain a reputation and more likely to be employed again.
Disadvantages - A disadvantage of an editor would be that the work can be frustrating. And you have taken on a lot of responsibility. 

Make-Up Artist - A make-up artist is person that would create and apply the make up for the actors. The make up artist would work in the pre-production and production stage. They would work with the actors and the director. They would work with the director because the director would need to approve, because they are in charge of the visual side of the film.
Advantage - In your job, you get to use your creative side.
Disadvantage - What the director says, goes. 

Costume Designer - A costume designer is a person who would create the designs for clothing that the actors would wear during for the film. The person in this job role would work with the director and producer during the pre-production stage. The director would the overlook of the design and the producer would have final say.
Advantage - You play a big role in the visually creative aspects of the film.
Disadvantage - Your time will be limited, and you need the directors and producers approval.