What Else Do I Need?
- Thread starter Woodson
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Mike_Donis
Veteran
Re: What Else Do I Need?
Do you have a good script? ;D
Honestly though, it'll depend on what kind of a film you're doing...
When they made Lord of the Rings they needed a different kind of crew than when they made Lost in Translation.
Do you have a good script? ;D
Honestly though, it'll depend on what kind of a film you're doing...
When they made Lord of the Rings they needed a different kind of crew than when they made Lost in Translation.
Mike_Donis
Veteran
Re: What Else Do I Need?
Awesome!
To figure out what kind of crew you need, you've pretty much got to go through what your film needs. Think of all the set pieces, how you're going to shoot it, and what needs to happen behind the camera. If you write it out on paper, it'll make it clear what you do and don't need for your crew.
Awesome!
To figure out what kind of crew you need, you've pretty much got to go through what your film needs. Think of all the set pieces, how you're going to shoot it, and what needs to happen behind the camera. If you write it out on paper, it'll make it clear what you do and don't need for your crew.
GenJerDan
Veteran
Re: What Else Do I Need?
[quote author=Woodson link=board=Directing;num=1090386165;start=0#0 date=07/20/04 at 22:02:45]Okay... I got my actors, my cinematographer/camera operator. What else do I need for my short low budget movie. Oh ya a sound boom mic holder and a make up artist. Anything else? I don't think I need to deal with things like Production Manager and Assistant Directors. [/quote]
Someone to do Continuity, perhaps.
[quote author=Woodson link=board=Directing;num=1090386165;start=0#0 date=07/20/04 at 22:02:45]Okay... I got my actors, my cinematographer/camera operator. What else do I need for my short low budget movie. Oh ya a sound boom mic holder and a make up artist. Anything else? I don't think I need to deal with things like Production Manager and Assistant Directors. [/quote]
Someone to do Continuity, perhaps.
Josh_Boelter
Well-known member
Re: What Else Do I Need?
If you have a digital camera, just bring that on set and take photos for continuity.
If you have a digital camera, just bring that on set and take photos for continuity.
Woodson
Well-known member
Re: What Else Do I Need?
[quote author=Josh_Boelter link=board=Directing;num=1090386165;start=0#6 date=07/21/04 at 04:53:46]If you have a digital camera, just bring that on set and take photos for continuity. [/quote]
Can you explain more about continuity and how did you work about it on your projects?
[quote author=Josh_Boelter link=board=Directing;num=1090386165;start=0#6 date=07/21/04 at 04:53:46]If you have a digital camera, just bring that on set and take photos for continuity. [/quote]
Can you explain more about continuity and how did you work about it on your projects?
J_Barnes
Veteran
Re: What Else Do I Need?
[quote author=Woodson link=board=Directing;num=1090386165;start=0#8 date=07/21/04 at 12:08:34]
Can you explain more about continuity and how did you work about it on your projects?[/quote]
Woah, I would suggest that if you don't know much about continuity, you're probably not ready to shoot yet.
Continuity is the generic term for the process of insuring the continuance of established visual and special relationships within the context of your scene. To put it plainly, continuity makes sure that your actor doesn’t have a cigarette in his mouth in his close up, followed by a shot of the same cigarette in the ashtray in the master shot
“Continuity” is typically the name for a single person on the set who methodically takes notes about each take and shot, photographing everything they can so that the scene can be repeated with the props and clothing in the same places.
The obvious continuity problems come with props and clothing, anything that the actors can interact with and change over the duration of your shot. Any changes (for example, an actor moving a glass) must be repeated at the same point in each take in each shot so that when you edit, you don’t have anything jumping around in the frame.
The more subtle continuity issues are with the actor’s eyelines matching from shot to shot, reading lines at specific points to match a physical movement, and matching the lighting from master to closeup.
The two things that kill most beginner films are bad audio and bad continuity. Even the most experienced film actors will create continuity flaws, and if you don’t have someone there specifically to watch for them...the burden will be entirely upon your shoulders to correct all flaws on location.
I suggested that you ask your editor to come on set as the continuity person because editors are keenly aware of continuity problems and how they affect post production. If you’re not working with an editor, see if you can get someone with at least a little bit of experience to be on set doing continuity during your production.
It also might be a good idea to carry along a cheap VCR and TV on location to record the video out of your camera feed. That way, you can roll back the tape on the VCR and check for continuity issues without messing with your master DV tape.
I’m sure a lot of other people will chime in on this issue...it doesn’t matter how well prepared you think you are, if you’re not accounting for continuity, your project will be THE DEATH OF YOU once you’re in the editing session.
Respect it now, fear it now, cover it in the shoot and you’ll never have to experience the pain of your best shots laying on the proverbial cutting room floor because they wouldn’t cut in with the rest of your takes.
[quote author=Woodson link=board=Directing;num=1090386165;start=0#8 date=07/21/04 at 12:08:34]
Can you explain more about continuity and how did you work about it on your projects?[/quote]
Woah, I would suggest that if you don't know much about continuity, you're probably not ready to shoot yet.
Continuity is the generic term for the process of insuring the continuance of established visual and special relationships within the context of your scene. To put it plainly, continuity makes sure that your actor doesn’t have a cigarette in his mouth in his close up, followed by a shot of the same cigarette in the ashtray in the master shot
“Continuity” is typically the name for a single person on the set who methodically takes notes about each take and shot, photographing everything they can so that the scene can be repeated with the props and clothing in the same places.
The obvious continuity problems come with props and clothing, anything that the actors can interact with and change over the duration of your shot. Any changes (for example, an actor moving a glass) must be repeated at the same point in each take in each shot so that when you edit, you don’t have anything jumping around in the frame.
The more subtle continuity issues are with the actor’s eyelines matching from shot to shot, reading lines at specific points to match a physical movement, and matching the lighting from master to closeup.
The two things that kill most beginner films are bad audio and bad continuity. Even the most experienced film actors will create continuity flaws, and if you don’t have someone there specifically to watch for them...the burden will be entirely upon your shoulders to correct all flaws on location.
I suggested that you ask your editor to come on set as the continuity person because editors are keenly aware of continuity problems and how they affect post production. If you’re not working with an editor, see if you can get someone with at least a little bit of experience to be on set doing continuity during your production.
It also might be a good idea to carry along a cheap VCR and TV on location to record the video out of your camera feed. That way, you can roll back the tape on the VCR and check for continuity issues without messing with your master DV tape.
I’m sure a lot of other people will chime in on this issue...it doesn’t matter how well prepared you think you are, if you’re not accounting for continuity, your project will be THE DEATH OF YOU once you’re in the editing session.
Respect it now, fear it now, cover it in the shoot and you’ll never have to experience the pain of your best shots laying on the proverbial cutting room floor because they wouldn’t cut in with the rest of your takes.
Josh_Boelter
Well-known member
Re: What Else Do I Need?
Continuity's important, no doubt. But if you're telling a good story, people won't notice minor continuity errors. I would just take on set photos to refer to when you need to match clothing, hairstyle, props, etc. It doesn't need to be terribly complicated.
Continuity's important, no doubt. But if you're telling a good story, people won't notice minor continuity errors. I would just take on set photos to refer to when you need to match clothing, hairstyle, props, etc. It doesn't need to be terribly complicated.
J_Barnes
Veteran
Re: What Else Do I Need?
[quote author=Josh_Boelter link=board=Directing;num=1090386165;start=0#10 date=07/22/04 at 08:13:42]Continuity's important, no doubt. But if you're telling a good story, people won't notice minor continuity errors. I would just take on set photos to refer to when you need to match clothing, hairstyle, props, etc. It doesn't need to be terribly complicated.[/quote]
Regardless of the story you’re telling, the audience will notice the flaws in its presentation. Even something as small as a glass being in the wrong place from cut to cut is enough to cause a hiccup in the mind of the viewer, and anything that brings attention to the filmmaking process distracts the audience from the story and performances. Sure you can get away with minor continuity problems, but if you’re not paying attention to continuity you won’t have minor problems...you’ll have extensive persistent errors that will compound in the mind of your audience.
An amazing story that enchants the audience will only be enhanced in its effect if your presentation is seamless and transparent, and a firm respect of continuity is essential to that presentation. It isn’t some evil bit of dirty business that inhibits the creative art, it’s a necessary part of production that deserves your full attention.
Thinking of continuity as an unnecessary formality is akin to thinking of a spelling as a hindrance to your writing. Sure, it’s a pain in the ass, but it just makes you shine in the long run.
Besides, why aim low? Why not try to have a professional high-production value shoot? If errors slip in, then they slip in, but in NOT preventing them...you’re essentially allowing them to happen.
[quote author=Josh_Boelter link=board=Directing;num=1090386165;start=0#10 date=07/22/04 at 08:13:42]Continuity's important, no doubt. But if you're telling a good story, people won't notice minor continuity errors. I would just take on set photos to refer to when you need to match clothing, hairstyle, props, etc. It doesn't need to be terribly complicated.[/quote]
Regardless of the story you’re telling, the audience will notice the flaws in its presentation. Even something as small as a glass being in the wrong place from cut to cut is enough to cause a hiccup in the mind of the viewer, and anything that brings attention to the filmmaking process distracts the audience from the story and performances. Sure you can get away with minor continuity problems, but if you’re not paying attention to continuity you won’t have minor problems...you’ll have extensive persistent errors that will compound in the mind of your audience.
An amazing story that enchants the audience will only be enhanced in its effect if your presentation is seamless and transparent, and a firm respect of continuity is essential to that presentation. It isn’t some evil bit of dirty business that inhibits the creative art, it’s a necessary part of production that deserves your full attention.
Thinking of continuity as an unnecessary formality is akin to thinking of a spelling as a hindrance to your writing. Sure, it’s a pain in the ass, but it just makes you shine in the long run.
Besides, why aim low? Why not try to have a professional high-production value shoot? If errors slip in, then they slip in, but in NOT preventing them...you’re essentially allowing them to happen.
Josh_Boelter
Well-known member
Re: What Else Do I Need?
Well, I would definitely take photos or videos on set for continuity. It's definitely important. I just think some people blow it out of proportion. There are minor continuity errors in most films, and if the story's good and the performance is good, most people won't notice. In Love Actually, for example, I didn't notice that Hugh Grant changed had constantly changing ties in one scene until Richard Curtis mentioned it on the DVD commentary. If you have a poorly-acted take with perfectly matched continuity, but have a brilliant take of the same scene where that glass is moved a few inches, I'd use the good take with the continuity error. Teh performance is more important.
I definitely wouldn't rely on memory for continuity. That's why I suggest on-set photos. It's a quick and simple method of matching continuity.
Well, I would definitely take photos or videos on set for continuity. It's definitely important. I just think some people blow it out of proportion. There are minor continuity errors in most films, and if the story's good and the performance is good, most people won't notice. In Love Actually, for example, I didn't notice that Hugh Grant changed had constantly changing ties in one scene until Richard Curtis mentioned it on the DVD commentary. If you have a poorly-acted take with perfectly matched continuity, but have a brilliant take of the same scene where that glass is moved a few inches, I'd use the good take with the continuity error. Teh performance is more important.
I definitely wouldn't rely on memory for continuity. That's why I suggest on-set photos. It's a quick and simple method of matching continuity.
J_Barnes
Veteran
Re: What Else Do I Need?
[quote author=Josh_Boelter link=board=Directing;num=1090386165;start=0#12 date=07/22/04 at 09:29:46]If you have a poorly-acted take with perfectly matched continuity, but have a brilliant take of the same scene where that glass is moved a few inches, I'd use the good take with the continuity error. Teh performance is more important.[/quote]
I agree with you there, but when you're faced with an awesome take that doesn't match your other shots, you feel like it's Sophie's Choice.
I tend towards the better performance, but it's still painful to have to sacrifice one or the other.
[quote author=Josh_Boelter link=board=Directing;num=1090386165;start=0#12 date=07/22/04 at 09:29:46]If you have a poorly-acted take with perfectly matched continuity, but have a brilliant take of the same scene where that glass is moved a few inches, I'd use the good take with the continuity error. Teh performance is more important.[/quote]
I agree with you there, but when you're faced with an awesome take that doesn't match your other shots, you feel like it's Sophie's Choice.
I tend towards the better performance, but it's still painful to have to sacrifice one or the other.
taubkin
Veteran
Re: What Else Do I Need?
I can honestly say bad audio is *much* worse than bad continutiy. Truth be told, continuity is a ***** and you have to watch it, but I agree with josh when he say some people blow it out of proportion. That said, a "sophie's choice" in the editing room is very traumatizing.
I can honestly say bad audio is *much* worse than bad continutiy. Truth be told, continuity is a ***** and you have to watch it, but I agree with josh when he say some people blow it out of proportion. That said, a "sophie's choice" in the editing room is very traumatizing.
Mike_Donis
Veteran
Re: What Else Do I Need?
Thing is, it's not a continuity problem if nobody notices it: and if they notice it, then you DO have a mistake. So it's definitely important to never have a continuity problem...it's kind of like the saying "if a tree falls down in a forest, but nobody was there to hear it, did it make a sound?".
If nobody notices the problem then it ain't there. And if they do, then it *is* a problem and will take whoever notices it out of the movie right away. So to say there's no worry about continuity is an issue - it's one of the most important technical things in my opinion to keep the audience believing your scene.
Thing is, it's not a continuity problem if nobody notices it: and if they notice it, then you DO have a mistake. So it's definitely important to never have a continuity problem...it's kind of like the saying "if a tree falls down in a forest, but nobody was there to hear it, did it make a sound?".
If nobody notices the problem then it ain't there. And if they do, then it *is* a problem and will take whoever notices it out of the movie right away. So to say there's no worry about continuity is an issue - it's one of the most important technical things in my opinion to keep the audience believing your scene.
Woodson
Well-known member
Re: What Else Do I Need?
[quote author=Woodson link=board=Directing;num=1090386165;start=0#8 date=07/21/04 at 12:08:34]
Can you explain more about continuity and how did you work about it on your projects?[/quote]
I know what continuity is.. I should of been more clear.. too tired wasn't thinking... what I meant is do you guys have one person dedicated to the dialogue, prop, clothing continuity, or would you have the script supervisor normally doing that stuff.
[quote author=Woodson link=board=Directing;num=1090386165;start=0#8 date=07/21/04 at 12:08:34]
Can you explain more about continuity and how did you work about it on your projects?[/quote]
I know what continuity is.. I should of been more clear.. too tired wasn't thinking... what I meant is do you guys have one person dedicated to the dialogue, prop, clothing continuity, or would you have the script supervisor normally doing that stuff.
J_Barnes
Veteran
Re: What Else Do I Need?
[quote author=Woodson link=board=Directing;num=1090386165;start=15#16 date=07/22/04 at 20:38:11]
I know what continuity is.. I should of been more clear.. too tired wasn't thinking... what I meant is do you guys have one person dedicated to the dialogue, prop, clothing continuity, or would you have the script supervisor normally doing that stuff.[/quote]
Most of the indie shoots I've been on have used the script supervisor to do general continuity. If they have a props person, that person does props continuity on set. If the cast is small and there isn't much need to prep standby actors, the wardrobe/makeup artist will do continuity for that on set.
It really depends on how much is going on and how capable your people are.
A lot of times, having more people on set is far more detrimental to productivity then it is to have fewer people who are working double and triple duty.
If there aren’t a ton of props, a ton of wardrobe, a ton of actors, or complicated locations…it’s probably better to just have a script supervisor doing everything.
[quote author=Woodson link=board=Directing;num=1090386165;start=15#16 date=07/22/04 at 20:38:11]
I know what continuity is.. I should of been more clear.. too tired wasn't thinking... what I meant is do you guys have one person dedicated to the dialogue, prop, clothing continuity, or would you have the script supervisor normally doing that stuff.[/quote]
Most of the indie shoots I've been on have used the script supervisor to do general continuity. If they have a props person, that person does props continuity on set. If the cast is small and there isn't much need to prep standby actors, the wardrobe/makeup artist will do continuity for that on set.
It really depends on how much is going on and how capable your people are.
A lot of times, having more people on set is far more detrimental to productivity then it is to have fewer people who are working double and triple duty.
If there aren’t a ton of props, a ton of wardrobe, a ton of actors, or complicated locations…it’s probably better to just have a script supervisor doing everything.
Re: What Else Do I Need?
also to whoever said that continuity isn't that important as long you have a great performance.
well you prolly don't have Hugh Grant in your movie, nor any other great actor in hollywood...so your performance isn't going to be great..therefore for you...continuity is very important.
also to whoever said that continuity isn't that important as long you have a great performance.
well you prolly don't have Hugh Grant in your movie, nor any other great actor in hollywood...so your performance isn't going to be great..therefore for you...continuity is very important.