Film Producation - Film Making
Out of all the media forms, Film making is probably the most creative one. Today film making as a universal media has gone beyond all the cultural differences of the nations and has also acted as a catalyst to strengthen global harmony and cooperation.
Globally too, world has awaken to the potential of Indian film makers, the popularity of Indian film makers can be gauged by the fact that today one out of every six films filmed in London is in Hindi.World over various types of films are made to cater to a unique target audience. These include documentaries, promotional films, newsreels, feature films, TV commercials and music videos, each catering to a different audience.
Filmmaking is a teamwork exercise which requires close coordination of various skilled professionals. This art involves skills in acting, directing, producing, script writing, cinematography, sound recording, visual mixing and editing etc.
Eligibility & skill-sets
Educational Qualification: For technical courses in this field, basic eligibility is 10+2. For other courses it is graduation. Generally, most universities conduct aptitude tests and interviews to assess candidates’ potential for this specific field of study.
There are Diploma, Degrees, Post Diploma and even Certificate courses in each area of specialization. Specialization areas include production, direction, editing, cinematography, film processing, animation, acting, sound engineering, make-up, photography and so on.
Personal Attributes: a film maker should essentially have artistic flair, ability to work cooperatively, sense of responsibility, ability to work under deadlines, great physical stamina, strong visual sense, good communication skills as well as administrative skills.
Candidates get employment with Film Studios, Production Companies, Advertising Agencies, and Government Department which make films. Moreover, they can start their own venture as producer, director, editors, cameramen, soundmen, lighting crews, assistants and so on.
Careers in films can be of two types, one which is related to the actual production of the film and those related to the film field such as a Film critic, Film archivist, Film curator, Film distributor etc.
Producer: He is the chief decision making authority in all matters. He plans and manages the technical and artistic resources. It is he who decides the story, acquires legal permission, appoints the director, actors, decides the crew and the location etc. The producer's role is occasionally combined with that of directing.
Post graduates in Mass Communication or diploma holders from the Film and Television Institutes can join the industry as producers.
Director: He is responsible for all the creative aspects that go into the making of a film. He decides the camera angle and directs the work of the cast and crew, costumes, choreography and music etc.
Editor: putting the film in correct sequential order is an editor’s job. He re-views processed film and video with production personnel to choose scenes which need to be enhanced or re-shot. He also synchronizes the sound track and adds special effects. Here, degree in film direction and editing or professional experience is required.
Screenplay writer: Screenplay writer rewrites the original story of the film in a format proper for the screen. A graduate or postgraduate degree in literature with expertise in creative writing is suitable to become a screen playwriter.
Actor: An actor should have an ability to become the character he/she represents in the film. A screen presence and a good physical appearance are added attributes in this field. While formal training is not a prerequisite, a graduate/post graduate degree in acting does help to hone skills.
Animator: Animators use their drawing skills to create moving images and effects for films & commercials. An animator can work for Cartoons, movies, TV commercials, multimedia or as a game designer. Proficiency in graphic software's or a graduate degree in Fine arts, Graphic Design, Animation Design, etc is helpful in this field. The basic qualification for training in this field is 10+2/ equivalent.
Cinematographer: He is responsible for compiling each scene to be shot. He also decides lighting and camera angles as per director’s requirement. This Job requires high technical knowledge and experience in the film-making field.
Cameraman: The cameraman operates the camera as per the instructions of the Cinematographer. Good technical ability and knowledge of camera and lenses is a must for being a successful cameraman.
Lighting Technician/Operator: Lighting is applied to change the mood of a scene or to indicate practical phases such as day or night. Here, high technical knowledge and experience is needed.
Soundmen: Responsible for all sounds or effects that go along with visual images. The work includes dubbing, recording and mixing of music, dialogues and other sound effects. Generally a degree/diploma in Audiography/Electronics is required with Science background at plus two level.
Other film related careers
Film critic: He has to interview filmmakers and actors, covers local developments in the film business, hence a film critic has to be well read, have adequate knowledge and experience in his/her respective field.
Film Archivist: they are concerned with the collection and preservation of archives. It includes official film documents, photographs, maps, multimedia or other media containing important historical information of individuals, companies, government departments and other organizations.
