Introduction to Film
Film refers to:
individual motion pictures
the industry as a whole and
film as an art form.
What is Film?
Films are produced from images recorded by cameras or
by creating images using special effects or animation
techniques.
Created by a number of individual images called frames,
when they are shown in quick succession, give a viewer
the illusion of motion. An effect known as persistence of
vision – whereby the eye retains an image after the source
has disappeared – means that the viewer does not notice
the flickering between frames
Effect of Film
Films reflect the culture of the time and
place from which they come.
Films have an influence on that culture.
Film is not only an art form and a source of
entertainment but is also a very effective
medium for education and propaganda.
The strongly visual element of films helps
them communicate worldwide.
From as early as the 1860s there have been mechanisms for producing two-dimensional
images in motion.
These machines developed from simple optical devices and showed sequences of still
pictures fast enough for the pictures to appear to be moving – a scientific phenomenon
called persistence of vision.
In order to achieve the desired effect these images had to be carefully designed. The
principle behind this design formed the foundation for developing film animation.
Once celluloid film had been developed, photographers were able to record objects in
motion directly. The development of the motion picture camera in the 1880s allowed
individual images to be stored on a single reel.
This development led to the invention of a projector that magnified the pictures so that they
could be viewed by a large number of people at once. These reels of film became known
as ‘motion pictures’. The early motion pictures were not edited, but were simply a series
of shots recording some event.
The History of film
From as early as the 1860s there have been mechanisms for producing two-dimensional
images in motion.
These machines developed from simple optical devices and showed sequences of still
pictures fast enough for the pictures to appear to be moving – a scientific phenomenon
called persistence of vision.
In order to achieve the desired effect these images had to be carefully designed. The
principle behind this design formed the foundation for developing film animation.
Once celluloid film had been developed, photographers were able to record objects in
motion directly. The development of the motion picture camera in the 1880s allowed
individual images to be stored on a single reel.
This development led to the invention of a projector that magnified the pictures so that they
could be viewed by a large number of people at once. These reels of film became known
as ‘motion pictures’. The early motion pictures were not edited, but were simply a series
of shots recording some event.
The History of film
The filmmaking process
Filmmaking refers to the process of making a film.
This happens in 5 phases:
Development
Pre-production.
Production
Post-Production
Marketing and sales
The filmmaking process
Development
Where an idea for a film is expanded into a workable script.
A 25 – 30 page synopsis describing the story, the general mood and characters,
and containing some dialogue, stage directions and sketches, is put together as
soon as a key theme or message has been identified.
The screenplay (script written for the screen) is drafted, after which it is rewritten
a number of times to achieve the best possible structure, characters, dialogue,
style, and dramatisation.
The market and consequent financial success of the film is tested by a film
distributor.
The pitch to try and sell the movie is put together and presented to potential
investors.
If this is successful and the film is given the go-ahead, financial assistance is usually
offered by film studios, councils or independent financiers.
The next step is then the negotiation and signing of contracts.
The filmmaking process
Pre-Production
The phase before the actual shooting begins.
The designed and planning of the film.
The script is broken down into what is known as a shooting script.
A shot can be described as the single running of the camera filming a specific
scene from the time it is switched on until the camera is stopped. This can take
any length of time and can be a single moment when the actor/actress gives a
shout of surprise or it can follow the actor/actress walking down a long road for
several minutes
Complicated visual sequences are storyboarded.
The storyboard is a visual representation of the shooting script with drawings
showing each shot. The film is therefore laid out in much the same fashion as
a comic book and includes all technical descriptions such as type of shot,
sound and dialogue for each shot.
Now that preparation for the shoot has been done, cast and crew are hired,
locations are scouted (called a recce), and sets are constructed.
The filmmaking process
Production
When the raw elements for the completed film are actually being
recorded or ‘shot’ and when all kinds of logistics have to be dealt
with.
The director takes control of the process at this stage and has to coordinate all the different aspects to achieve the best results.
The director works closely with the cinematographer, who is in
charge of all the work relating to camerawork and lighting, and
together they decide on the best way to cover each scene.
Because the film is being shot out of sequence, special attention
must be paid to what is called the continuity.
The continuity refers to detail of the set and the positions of the
actors as well as the camera angle and includes everything visible
The filmmaking process
Post-Production
This refers to when the film is ‘in the can’ meaning that the actual
shooting of footage is over.
At this stage, the film is sent for editing (a process in which the editor
puts the footage into logical sequence so that a story can be told
logically).
Some directors insist on having a say in this process, as the way in
which a movie is cut together can greatly affect the style and success
of the film.
When a director has control over the final editing of the film, we call
the end result the director’s cut.
Most of the time, especially with less well-known directors, the final
The filmmaking process
Sales and Distribution
This is the final, and possibly most important
stage of the process.
Here the film is picked up by a distributor
who then ensures that it reaches its audience
The Crew
Screenwriter: Writes or adjusts the script
from which the film is made.
Executive producer: Makes most of the
decisions and is responsible for financing the
film.
Line producer: Deals with the budget. He/she
works closely with the producer.
Producer: Responsible for putting the project
together and finding the financing.
Actor: Acts in the film.
Casting director: Holds auditions and recruits
The Crew
Location scout: Travels around in search of
the perfect place to shoot the film.
Director: Directs the actual making of the
film. He/she visualises the script, controls
the dramatic and artistic elements of the film,
and guides the actors and technical crew in
realising his/her vision.
Assistant director: Does not assist in
directing the film, but is rather more of an
assistant to the director.
Script supervisor: Maintains continuity in
The Crew
Director of photography (cinematographer):
operates the camera and helps the director to
envision the film from script to film.
Continuity person: Makes sure to note
everything that is visible in a single shot, as
well as the exact positions of everything and
everyone.
Sound mixer: Records the dialogue of the
actors and ensures that it is clear,
comprehensible and audible.
The Crew
Boom operator: Assists the sound mixer in
that he/she positions the boom (long pole
with a microphone attached to the end) at the
right distance and angle in relation to the
actor to obtain clear, crisp dialogue.
Gaffer:
Works
closely
with
the
cinematographer and ensures that the lighting
for each scene is effective.
Grip: Assists the cinematographer and gaffer
in moving and placing equipment and lights.
Production assistants (runners): Run errands
The Crew
Costumer: Controls costumes and accessories.
Props master: Controls all the props.
Stunt coordinator: Arranges the casting and
performance of stunts and ensures the safety of
actors.
Editor: Puts the visual story together by cutting
the film.
Composer: Scores the music to set the mood
and accompany the images in the film.
Production designer (art director): Responsible
for the overall look of the film.
The vocabulary of film
Camera Shots, Angles and
Movement
• Lighting refers to the kind of lighting used by a
filmmaker and the use to which it is put.
• Lighting may be available light (sunlight) or artificial
lighting provided especially for filming.
• The angles of light (the angle/s at which the light falls
on the subject), intensity of light and contrast between
light and shadow are important considerations.
• We focus most of our attention on areas with the most
light.
Lighting, colour and sound
Lighting
• One way in which mood can be created is through the
use of colour.
• Certain colours like red, orange, or yellow are called
warm colours, while colours like blue, white or green
are cooler colours.
• Colours are also symbolic.
• A combination of colour and light also creates mood
Lighting, colour and sound
Colour
• Sound often simply supplements what we see in an image.
• Sound is also used to provide information that we do not
see simultaneously.
• The intention of using sound is to add authenticity to a
film.
• Music is used to create mood and atmosphere.
• It often works subtly so that the viewer is not even aware
that there is music, even though it is helping to create the
effect he is aware of.
Lighting, colour and sound
Sound
Special effects