Breaking Down a Script?

D

DVX100Shooter

Veteran
Okay say you just landed a gig to DP a film. The producer gives you a script to check out. Then what? Is it a collaboration of the DP, Writer, and Producer to come up with a concept on how to shoot the film? I know certain things are obvious especially if your a camera operator. But I wonder about things like, what lights I should use and how many to get a certain look. Whether to use natural light or set up lights...whether to shoot from a crane (jib arm) or Stedicam? These are all questions that to me have to do with breaking down the script. Who ultimately makes those decisions? I just used this as an example. I am not DPing a film yet.
 
Re: Breaking Down a Script?

You're leaving out the Director.

The Director is responsible, ultimately, for all the creative decisions in the film. He communicates to you, the DP, what kind of look he wants, and you give it to him.

Now, that's baseline; it's all collaborative.
 
Re: Breaking Down a Script?

i work as a Dp for second untis / stuntunits.

basically the diector gives you an idea of what he wants. then you discuss it with your cameroperator and go out and shoot it.

it really depends, but usually as said the director has the ultimate responsibility (and paycheck) and the DP/Cam give it to him. sometimes one person does all 3 sometimes all 3 work very close together on every shot. it all depends on the project.
a producer like buckheimer seems to be very involved himself, which must add another dimension to this.... :P
 
Re: Breaking Down a Script?

Well I worked as a PA on a low budget film that went straight to video several years ago. I can remember the DP calling all of the shots on the set. I was amazed that at least on that set, the DP had more say than the Director did. I do believe that he the Director gave the DP an idea of what he wanted but the Director seemed to just worry about the actors and extras and the DP was all about lights, camera placement, etc. Again, this was for this particular movie, I know it is not like that on all films.
 
Re: Breaking Down a Script?

I believe some of this is indeed broken down in the shooting script which gives a more detailed description of how each scene is set up and shot, though I don't think shooting scripts go into the nuts and bolts details. That's for the DP to work out after he's got some direction from the director.
 
Re: Breaking Down a Script?

No, that's pretty much how it is. However, depending on the size of the production, you MAY see the DP do very little on the set. It IS different on low- budgets because they simply don't have the personnel. Though I believe that big budget productions WASTE A LOT on unnecessary personnel or over redundancy.

Most small budget filmmakers have VERY little clue as to how it is really all done. 40% of a movie is completed before anyone even picks up a camera. 10% is Production and 20% is Editing and 30% is marketing/distribution.

Production literally is the shortest and easiest part of filmmaking but it involves the most amount of people.

The reason you saw the Director do very little on the set is that most likely is a result of two things. Experienced actors working with and Experienced AD or simply a well prepared Director that planned everything out as it should be prior to actual production.

The DP is his right-hand man and usually "comes with" many Directors. The will have worked out and planned out all of the shots well in advance.

Here is a quick breakdown of responsibilities:
Producer - Responsible to investors / studio / Executive Producers (Depending on structure of the Project) and is the final word of what makes it to screen. If you see a film that you don't like, blame the Producer because he/she could have stopped it and made things change.

Director - Responsible to the Producer and all of the other aboves. The Director is the Creative vision of the script and will work with the DP to establish a general look and feel for the film and map out shot lists.

DP - Responsible to the Director but generally supervises camera operators making sure they get the shots as they have planned. On smaller budget films, they will sometimes be the camera operator as well. It is his job to make sure the Director is happy with the shots and they look as they were planned. Works VERY close with the Gaffer in establishing the lighting needs of each shot.

1AD - Responsible to the Director and Producer. The 1AD is pretty much the "ON SET" manager. It is the job of the 1st AD to make sure the shot's are blocked correctly for the cameras, people are where they should be and generally make sure everything is ready for the shot.
 
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