The Film Process

Film has a process just like all other artistic endeavors. There are 4 main phases: Development, Pre-Production, Production & Post-Production. Your teacher has covered the Development phase whereas you will continue with Pre-Production, Production and Post-Production. See the slideshow to the right to get more insight on the film production process. 

PRE-PRODUCTION

Film Shots and Angles

Establishing Shot Given at the start of the scene that shows the location
Extreme Close-Up
Includes the face and can go as far as the eyes and/or mouth
Close-Up
Detailed view of a person or object, usually without much context provided
Medium Close-Up
Includes the body from the shoulders up
3/4 Shot or Cowboy Shot
Includes the body from the hips up
Medium Long Shot
Includes the body from the knees up
Long Shot
Full body shot
Medium Shot
Includes the body from the waist up

Film Shots and Angles

Low Angle

Pan

Moving the camera horizontally to the right or left

Establishing Shot

Zoom

Changing the focal length of the lens to give the illusion of moving closer to or further away from the action

Storyboard

Storyboards are the various shots of your scene frame by frame. Refer to the example below for examples of how the shots and angles form the story. 

Using the template below, begin drawing your scene showing the various angles and shots you will use. 

Owl & the Pussycat Script
File Size:	26 kb
File Type:	doc

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Storyboard Template
File Size:	19 kb
File Type:	doc

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PRODUCTION

Crew Titles

Production Titles

Importance of Tech

1. USE A TRIPOD. All shots should be steady. The camera should never be handheld when filming.
2. USE PROPER LIGHTING. Film outdoors if at all possible ensuring the sun is behind the camera and not behind the subject being filmed. Dark areas should not be chosen for locations. Adding a key light or main light always helps light the subjects face. Consider a fill light which lights the parts the key light cannot fill.
3. FILM CLOSE TO THE CAMERA. The actors voice is the most important sound. Make sure they are close to the camera when filming. Remember: the closest person to the camera is what will be heard most by the audience.

Film Terms Quiz

Proper Film Set Protocol

Behavior on set is key to success. There is a right way and a wrong way to behave. The videos below give you a quick introduction to what proper behavior looks like.

Post-Production

We will use iMovie to edit our footage. See the tutorial below for a refresher on how to edit.