“Pre-production is normally the longest part of the film-making process; it is also often the part that is least attractive to a new film-maker. However the process of pre-production is vital if you are going to make an effective film.” (Hunt, Robert. 2009). In the process of pre-production many people are involved in insuring a successful production and some of the individuals are responsible for many tasks at a time.
The beginning of the process is likely to consist of the producer who oversees a production from its conception to its completion (Barnwell. 2008). It is up to the producer to have skilled individuals around them to carry out key jobs required in the pre-production stage. These tasks can include time management, personnel, money, materials and clearances both copyright and intellectual, health and safety, codes of practice and regulations, locations and facilities. To elaborate in further detail episode one “Tony” of the TV show Skins will be used to explain how the process works.
The line producer takes a few of these responsibilities and only works on one production at a time. Anne Boyd was the line producer for episode one of Skins and as a result she would have been the person responsible for all personnel on set (IMDB). This would include the cast, crew and contributors. They will deal with the day-to-day issues that may occur on set and handle codes of practice and regulations (UKFilming).
When dealing with location “…a producer can work with a location manager or location scout…” (Worthington. 2009). Jonathan Allot was the location manager for the episode “Tony”. As a result “The production manager researches, locates, secures and coordinates the filming locations by identifying the precise locations needed.” (Barnwell. 2008). Also the location needs to have access to a range of facilities including parking, toilets and catering. All of which would also fall under the responsibilities of the location manager (Worthington. 2009).
One person with multiple tasks in a pre-production stage is the 1st assistant director or 1stAD. Paul Judges would have been responsible for numerous jobs and would have worked directly with the director and producer (Hunt, Robert. 2009). Working closely with both producer and director would have helped him to manage the day to day operations on set during the process of filming (Barnwell. 2008). They may also be the person responsible for compiling a backup plan if shooting is postponed due to obstacles such as bad weather (Barnwell. 2008). They would also work based on the time constraints ultimately set down by the producer (Hunt, Robert. 2009). Another of the 1stAD responsibilities is maintaining safety on a working set (IMDB). They would have also have a partial responsibility in helping to keep operational costs within the planned budget (IMDB).
When it comes to more legal issues, such as copyright and intellectual properties, on a production it is handled by two people. One being the researcher who is responsible for authenticity on a production. During the process of researching for authenticity they will make a list of all legal requirements needed (Creative skillset). Once they have gathered this information they then pass it over to the executive producer who mainly focuses on the legal and business aspects of a production (IMDB). This would include getting legal documentation to use anything copyrighted.
One of the more complex parts of pre-production is the budget. An experienced producer and production manager will be able to calculate a rough estimate of a budget by looking through a script (Worthington. 2009). Having a checklist also enables them to ensure all aspects of filming have been covered and becomes a blueprint for the production (Barnwell. 2008). The producer has the ultimate say when it comes to how the budget will be distributed amongst the different departments (Worthington. 2009).
However members of the crew such as the 1stAD will be in charge of keeping production costs on set within the budget (IMDB). A production accountant may also be hired to help oversee finances during the production cost which Skins did have hiring Tessa Kiernan (IMDB). A production manager will also have a large part over controlling the budget. “It is the production manager’s responsibility to make sure that filming stays on schedule and within budget” (Barnwell. 2008). A unit manager may also fulfil the role of a production manager, but for secondary-unit shooting (Barnwell. 2008).
All of the people above have important roles to ensure a successful production but they are not alone in the success. The have to look to others to help in many other aspects of a production. Perhaps the most important part is an idea to turn into a production. A development producer generates and develops ideas into scripts, proposals and programme formats (Worthington. 2008). The director is then responsible for the approach used to turn a script into a film working closely with the 1stAD (Barnwell.2008). The director of photography is in charge of cameras and lighting. They are also the person who is responsible for the aesthetic mood on set (Hunt, Robert. 2009). Executive producers will liaise with a programme’s producer and are involved in all aspects of the business and management of a production (Worthington. 2009). These are just a few out of many other important roles undertaken to ensure the development of an idea into a finished and successful project.
Skins was a TV series that was met with high praise holding an 8.2 stars rating on IMDB. The series would not have met with the success that it did without a skilled team armed with the many skills required to achieve success. Some of the job roles listed contain even more duties than what has been listed, proving it takes people with the ability to focus on multiple tasks at once. Without this skill mistakes would be made resulting a loss of time, money and in some cases even resources. If this were to happen too often a production would be seen as financially unsuccessful and could even result in the cancellation of a production.
References.
Barnwell, Jane. “The Fundamentals of Film-Making.” 2008. Switzerland. AVA Publishing SA.
http://creativeskillset.org/job_roles_and_stories/job_roles/308_researcher_tv Date accessed – 13/09/14
Edgar-Hunt, Robert. “Basics Film-Making 03: Directing Fiction.” 2009. Switzerland. Bloomsbury Publishing.
http://www.imdb.com/glossary/ - Date accessed – 13/09/14
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0939424/fullcredits/ - Date accessed – 13/09/14
http://www.ukfilming.co.uk/listing/line_producers/line-producers-1882 Date accessed – 13/09/14
Worthington, Charlotte. “Basics Film-Making 01: Producing.” 2009. Switzerland. AVA Publishing SA.