Roles; Skills & Experience

Recruiting a skeleton crew

A skeleton crew is a film crew that has been taken down to only the minimal amount of crew members, mainly essential ones. This is often done to save money in film production or to be less noticeable when filming without certain permits.

Noam Kroll, a Los Angeles-based filmmaker created an article for Indiewire in 2013. In the article, Noam Kroll explains that within his five people required for his crew, there are two people, the Director and the Producer, he does not include in his list as they are already important and must be on set every day.

The five essential roles that Kroll believes must be filled in for film production in order for it to be successful includes:

 - Director of photography
 - Make up/hair
 - Production assistant
 - Location audio
 - Gaffer/grip

Having a director of photography allows you to spend less time with lighting and set ups and allows someone who has great experience with cameras and setting up. Having an experienced crew member will help you develop on your vision for your film's image as well as working efficiently through the process as well as having a more professional output rather than a director himself being his own DP for his production. 

Having a makeup artist will give the film a sense of professionalism through the use of a professional makeup artist, this is because specific creativity will make your production seem more realistic through having actors who can play as well as look exact to their role. Professional can help actors become their character through the way their make up is. A professional makeup artist who accurately does their job will help make actors look more suitable for the role they are playing.

What is required from a production assistant is a positive attitude. Most production assistants are often learning at the stage they are in in their careers, so therefore the ideal production assistant would be someone who is willing to learn, has a passion for film and will bring and encourage a positive attitude on set.

Ideally, a good sound recordist would have a passion in sound recording and would want to think of many ways they can improve their work. A sound recordist is vital as a film with poor visuals and good sounds is more professional than good visuals with bad quality sound. A sound recordist should fit in with the production and be able to come up with innovative ways to record sound have the skills and knowledge to be able to shoot in different filming situations. 

A gaffer/grip will help the director of photography to get the most appropriate shots through assisting them with their ideas, making their shots more accurate and effective. Someone in this role who is knowledgeable and skilled will help reduce time that is being consumed by the director of photography through setting up and gearing, the gaffer/grip will be there to support them. 

CV 1st Draft

Yasmin Ally

Runner

07921689546

yasminlouise88@hotmail.com

Based in London

 

I am dedicated to learn and gain as much experience as a runner as possible through showing willingness to work extra-long hours and complete any essential work that must be completed, despite being inexperienced at running. 

Previous Experience

The Beacon School

BTEC Nationals Level 3 Diploma in Creative Media Production – Through this course I have learnt about:

-        - Post Production

-        - Editing/ short film editing

Media Production Experience

GCSE Media:

-         Basic camera skills

-         Cutting and editing skills

-         Transitions

-         Titles

Applicable Skills and Qualities

-         Ability to work long hours

-         Dedication to co-operate well in teams

-         Prior use in editing software

-         Online tools including Microsoft word & PowerPoint

-         Capability of independence

Education History

The Beacon School – Banstead, Surrey

GCSE Media

BTEC Nationals Level 3 Diploma in Creative Media Production

Previous Work History

Sales Assistant – Next

From this job role I have advanced in the following skills:

-          Effective time management

-          Social interaction/ effective communication

-          Reliability and honesty

-          Confidence and helpfulness

-          Easily approachable

 

Crew CV's

A CV is a written document that outlines someone’s education, work history, experience, personal interests, hobbies, skills and abilities. Applicants can send their CV’s to potential employers in order to highlight their qualities, which will enhance their opportunity of being more suitable for the job.

The ideal CV’s consist of the most relevant information such as previous work experience and qualities. A CV can be given in any format however it is vital that they are clear enough to be able to read. 

10/15 people most likely fail to conduct any research within the role they apply for or even customise their CV. The candidate’s CV must be eye catching enough to be shortlisted.

It is important to customise your CV as it will make you stand out more – employers are more likely to recruit an applicant who enters relevant information to the job role, such as skills ad courses, than someone who has no relevant qualities or experience to the job role they are applying for. Applicants must differentiate themselves from other candidates.

Employers would also be interested in seeing applicants customise their CV by entering an opening line, such as “I am looking for a career in….” making it more relevant and applicable to the job role. Ideally, employers want an employee who shows passion and interest in the job they are applying for. 

CV rules according to MFJC:

• Every CV must be customised to the job role that you are applying for. Do not use a ‘General CV’
• Irrelevant information does not need to be included; not all businesses have the same work history requirements.
• Include the most important aspects at the top of your CV.
• The title of your job should consistently be repeated.
• Adapt your CV to what the recruiter is looking for as much as you can.
• Do not include too much information, keep it short and simple.
• Be modest.
• The file size should be kept small, in order to avoid spam filters.
•   CV file should be saved as “Your name – Job Title – Company Name”

If you are looking to be employed as a Production Runner, then it is advised that your CV should be differentiated from other applicants. Make sure you include your most relevant experience as well as highlighting that you have the right approach to the role.

Experience

If you have the bare minimum of experience then conduct some thorough research into the company and then explain yourself on your CV as to what else you can offer to the company. Including information about your previous jobs and linking them to the job role you are applying for such as 'working long hours' and 'working well in teams' will be more appropriate when convincing employers that you are a suitable applicant for the job.  

Specialise

When writing a CV, it is ideal that the applicant specifically states categorically what job title they would like, not 'looking to experience all aspects of the industry then make my decision on where to focus my career'. By stating your exact expectations of a job it is more likely that your CV will stand out to the rest of the applicants, as you are describing the recruiter's job.

Example CV's

Always make sure the information you include in your CV is relevant to the job title you are applying for, otherwise it will be considered as irrelevant information. Ideally you should research the company and the role before you prepare your CV, as you will gain a clearer view of the requirements of a suitable candidate. 


Successful CV features:

 - Clear style/writing.
 - Repetition of title of your job.
 - Information that is relevant to the job role is only included.
 - The less amount of information, the better.
 - The most important/relevant information is at the top of the CV.

Short Film Definition

A short film is a production that is not the same length as an average feature length film. Short films often last up to 45 minutes or less, using quicker techniques of storytelling and creating real emotions within a short period of time. Despite a short film being less than a feature length film, the longer the filming process is the more expensive the production will be - therefore the shorter the film the more cheaper it will be.

Materials

“Materials” in film refer to both physical and digital objects which are used in film production. This includes resources that have been self-produced, including various different library footage such as sound files, video footage, props and costumes. 

Self-generated materials – Materials made within a production company using own team members, such as costumes and props.

Archive Material – Archive material is old footage that is used in previous productions from a range of different genres. When making a documentary, filmmakers often use archive footage to emphasise their narrative.

Example:

An example of a film which uses archive footage is a 2010 documentary which is directed by Asid Kapadia, named Senna. The documentary portrays the life and death of a Brazilian motor-racing champion.

Library Material – Library material represents the material, such as sound and video effects, that are stored in libraries.

• On completion of a film, non-dialogue sounds would be stored by the production company for reuse in later projects.          
• Throughout the different productions that have been created, the library of sound effects will expand. For example, the BBC has a large range of their own sound effects from their previous productions which can be edited and reused for future purposes.
• Larger production companies may also have their own video materials, which can                 range from sunsets to busy streets.

BBC sound effects library:

The BBC sound effects library consists of sounds of a range of different transport such as cars, ships, trains and aeroplanes. Within each purchase, the discs allow an unlimited use of the sound effects from the BBC.

Bundles available:

Set of discs 1-10 - £99

Set of discs 41-50 - £39

Set of discs 51-60 - £39

Internet

The internet can be a useful source to retrieve a range of copyrighted video and sound         effects for productions.

Freesound

Freesound allows you to create your own sound library using a range of different sound effects the website has to offer that enables you to download sound effects to your computer.  Anyone with internet access can upload and share their own sound files, which means that the sound effects can come in different types of quality. This would then require some time to be taken to research into the quality of the sound files.

Property Rights and Copyright

• In order to gain permission from a person or a company to use their material, you must be able to cover the costs.
• Foley artists and effects editors spend a great amount of time filtering the sound effects, which is why they should receive a fee when their work is being used.
• Before using media related material, it is vital that you acquire written permission from the owner of that material, such as a contract, which evidences them granting you access to use their work. 
• Any individual who has created a sound effect has a right to some form of income when their work is being used by others.

-           

Clearances

Cleared – In order to be able to distribute your film in public, you must have official permission to use any content that appears in your film, such as brand names, logos, stock footage, images, music and script.

A film clearance is the development of the permission being requested/granted for different aspects of a film production. This can include various brands, posters, music, actors & extras, sets, products & brands, books and photographs. Film clearance is effective for gaining trademark or insurance matters. Overall, clearances can be categorized into three different sections, such as property, people and locations.

Clearances checklist:

Script Clearances: Scripts should not include identifiable characters that resemble an existing person unless they have written clearance permission granting them access to do so. If permission is not given from the person, then the characters must have fictional names and must not completely represent the real life individual both visually and characteristically. The same applies for real events, ideally permission must be granted in order to base events in the film on real life occurrences.

Content Clearances: Any pictures, artwork, clips & footage, music, photography, logos/product & brands and designs must be cleared before appearing in a film.

Music Clearances: Any published or original music included in the film must be cleared.

Actor’s/Contributor’s Clearances: All actors and extras that appear in the film must have a consented signed clearance agreement signed by the location manager.

Location Agreement: Any use of locations that are to be appeared in the film must have a clearance permission.