Working Practices
Before a film can begin production there is a lot of paperwork that needs to be filled out. There are several pieces of pre production paperwork from location recces to risk assessments. One of the first pieces of work that needs to be done is the script. The script is not just for the actors benefit but also for the benefit of the crew as it provides set details and directions as well as any dialogue that needs to take place. The next thing that needs to be done is a storyboard which is done for every scene and is vital for the crew to know what they are filming. The storyboard provides information on everything including lighting, camera angles/movement, actors positions and the way the set should look. Once the script and storyboard are done then a location recce sheet should be filled out for every location. This provides all of the necessary information for a potential location from any sound or light issues to any permits that need to be acquired. Alongside the location recce sheet, a location risk assessment should be completed with any potential risks to cast or crew being made aware for each location. An equipment booking sheet also needs to be filled out as well as a schedule so that everyone can prepare for each day in the most efficient way possible. In a real production, each of these roles would be done by a team that is specific to that role.
In college we often work in very small teams which mean we usually have multiple jobs on the go. If we were to have a larger team with clearly defined roles then we would be able to produce a film of a much higher quality in a shorter amount of time.