Research into Job roles

So for my job roles, I've decided to research in depth what responsiblities I have now I'm fulfilling my job roles within the group. Also, it will give me more of an idea of what sort of things I need to begin planning etc. I will be doing a table at the end of this post with a load of deadlines in it for my job roles.

My first job is that of storyboard artist. A storyboard artist is the person that designs the shots and what they should look like. The storybard artist makes it as easy as possible for the camera crew to film because they know exactly what they want in every shot. We plan to have a photograph storyboard because it will make it a lot easier for us to film, but also because it will help our actors to get to grips with the locations etc. They'll be able to see what they're required to do in each shot. We will probably walk the shot through as well just so that our actors are extra prepared for when it comes to filming, so we can get as much filming done in one day as possible, hopefully all of it. Our initial storyboard is up, it's stick figures and basic words at the moment, but that's just a plan for when we come to do the photos. I'm actually in charge of words for the storyboard and carla is doing photos. I have a basic plan of what is going on in each shot, aided by the pictures of stick figures! I plan to be as in depth as I can, using the correct terminology and helping us as much as possible when we come to filming.*

Camera Operator: A camera operator is the person that takes care of the camera and sets up each shot perfectly. They also film the actual shot, following the storyboard and shot lists and making sure that every shot is filmed directly as it says on the storyboard. If the director decides to change the shot, then it is the camera operators job to adapt to using that shot and create the correct angle etc. Sometimes this job can be difficult because I will always be taking care of the camera, which can often be heavy and hard to maneuver. I plan to overcome this by always carrying the equipment in the carry case as it is more compact and easier for me to carry. My doesn't require any pre-planning, it is all involved in the filming on the day.

Director: For this role, I am actually co-directing with Carla. We plan to share the directing equally because it makes it easier for us when making decisions for filming. We like to discuss our filming together and so if one person had all the say in directing the music video it wouldn't be fair to the other person that has done an equal amount of work to make the film perfect. Directors instruct the actors where to place themselves in the shot, and work closely with the camera operators to make sure that they have got the correct shot for their film. Directors also instruct the camera operators and most other roles included in the film process. Seeing as we are sharing out all roles between the 2 of us, we will be directing each other! This role requires me to make sure that I am up to date with all planning on filming day, and that I know exactly what we want in each shot, so it makes filming easier and quicker. Also if we want to change a shot, we will have to discuss together before actually making the shot, so that we both know exactly what is going into our film.

Editor: This role requires e to edit the footage. When all filming is complete me and Carla will sit down together and begin to edit our footage on final cut express. An editors role consists of cutting the shots to the appropriate length (which is crucial for us as we have planned all of our shots to be in time with the music), makes sure that have the correct colouring on them, e.g. using colour correction to make the shots brighter, duller etc. Also editors include the use of special effects into the film. So our use of still shots will be included into the film by the editor using final cut to integrate the shots in time with the music. Me and Carla will be working together to edit, and will often take turns to edit every lesson, as we did for our thriller film last year. This way we can share out the workload by one person not doing all of it. This also helps because it usually gets the editing done quicker and makes it easier for both of us.

Continuity: For the role of continuity supervisor, I need to always make sure that what happened in one shot carries on into the next. For example, If one of our actors is wearing a coat in one shot and then not in the next, it doesn't give the implication that they are passing through time, it gives the idea that they are switching location. As our film is one continuous walking process, we need to always make sure that one shot follows on from another. Also the actions that our actors do, we need to carry them on into the next shot. For example, if our male actor, Max, is holding up his hand in one shot, we need to make sure that he is holding up his hand in the next shot when the angle switches, so that the entire motion is continuous and looks realistic. To plan for this, I need to make myself familiar with the actors costumes, props and locations, to make sure that I am fully prepared for when it comes to filming day.

Set locator: This role finds the locations that the film is being shot in. We have actually already planned to shoot our film in bury st Edmunds because it is more convenient for us and our actors. Because our video is one continuous walk, we don't actually have a set location to film the main body of the shots. However, for the scenes of the girl and boy at home, we plan to use two different houses, Carla's dads house and Carla's mums house. Both of these houses are in Bury, and about an equal distance apart. In between the two houses is a massive heath, where we plan to film our last shot of the couple getting together. The heath and the homes will be the only steady locations in the entire film. When we go to take the photos for our storyboard, we will also take photos of our locations so that we can post about them.

Props and special effects: For props, I need to locate the props used in our film. I have already posted about the props that we need and who needs them, and I am still in planning as to locating them.**
Special effects supervisor is the person that takes care of the special effects in the video. They work closely with the camera operator and the editor to integrate the special effects correctly into the film. However, we are not using many special effects, the only one we're using is the use of still shots to cause our actor to turn around. I still need to work out how to create the still shots in final cut, but I'm sure as we are filming, I will get to grips with it.

Here is my table detailing what I need to do for each job role and by what date:

 

Job Role	Things to do	Deadline dates
Storyboard artist	-Finish the words for the storyboard -Familiarise myself with our first storyboard so that I’m prepared for the photo storyboard.	23rd October
Camera Operator	-Film our music video, make sure each shot is perfect!	-Provisional date or filming: 15th November
Editor	-Familiarise myself with final cut, make sure I know everything to know about editing on final cut express. -Watch other students editing technique videos, to help me practise editing techniques.	-21st October
Director	-Make sure I know each shot to perfection, so filming runs smoothly. -Discuss any changes that me and carla wish to make on the storyboard with actors and each other.	-all done by 15th November
Continuity supervisor	-Make sure I am familiar with all locations so I know what to watch out for. -Monitor each actors costumes and props, so I know exactly who has what, so it's easier for me to keep tabs on each shot.	-26th October
Set locator	-All sets are located!	-
Props and special effects	-Watch specialist videos about special effects on youtube to make myself familiar with the special effects that we wish to use in our editing. -locate or make all props (refer to list in previous post)	-12th November all props located -25th October still shots and editing videos watched

The dates in red are the things that I need to sort out after I go to America next week and the ones in blue are the ones to be sorted asap. At the moment I need to sort props out urgently because I need to source the props or to make the ones that need making. This will make it easier for me when it comes to filming as I will have all props on location already.

More to follow :)