2-Column Script Formatting

What are 3 key things that this article says are important about formatting an AV script?

1. Column Labels

When formatting an AV script, it must be labeled with VIDEO and AUDIO. This allows the script to be identified in an easier fashion. However, this is not an extremely necessary step if the columns are already obvious to begin with.

2. Capitalization

If the word is not spoke, it is recommended that it is capitalized. This must be implemented throughout the entire script. Performer's words must be be in the standard upper and lowercase letters. This is intended to allow the performers read the script easier because it helps distinguish which words are part of the dialogue.

3. Description

In the descriptions, abbreviations are accepted because readers who do not understand them do not need to be regarded. Thus, it may include words such as CU and LS. In addition, these descriptions must be in all caps.

The Production Process Wrapup

Now that you've completed (or almost completed) "The Production Process" unit, what are three things that you learned? Please explain each in detail. Why are these three things that you think are the most important to making a film?

I learned that there is a designated sound department to control the audio. This includes dialogue and folly audio. Especially because audio is one of the most important aspects of film, perfecting the audio becomes extremely important to the film. I found it most interesting that the folly audio department has to use various objects in order to enhance the audio. Making sure the audio is captured on set is also important as well.

I also learned that the special effects department has new job in which those effects can be seen on set. For some sets, there is a person designated to work the special effects so the director has a general idea of what is going to be on screen. This is important to the production process because it helps the director visualize the final production.

Finally, I learned that preproduction played a vital role in the production process. In the preproduction process, one needs to have their idea green lighted, storyboarded, and made into a shot list. (As a side note I learned that a shot list does not have to be in the order that it is going to be edited in the final cut.)

Streaming v.s. Traditional TV

How is Netflix changing the television landscape? How will this trend continue into the future?

Netflix allows the viewers to watch whatever content they would like to see whenever they like. In contrast, traditional television only allows them to watch the content at a certain given time. Those who used to be connected to cable TV are now switching to streaming systems. Studies show that younger generations are switching from TV to streaming systems. (the average age of Cable users are increasing) If this trend continues on to the future, Cable TV will disappear from the media as platforms such as Netflix takes over. However, sports programs that are mainly watched live may be what keeps people holding onto the Cable system.

Building Your Career

What are three suggestions in this article for beginning your career in the industry? How can an internship help?

1. Apply for an intership

An internship can be a great opportunity for a beginning filmmaker to gain experience in the field. Although internship programs for major studios are highly competitive, challenging yourself to those positions can bring great benefits. While these internships are considered more of a training rather than an occupation, these experiences can leave you with valuable connections for future employment.

2. Work as a Production Assistant

Responsibilities as a PA does not require a significant amount of skill to be performed. However, because this position requires a running around in different sections of production, it becomes a good overview of how a production is made. With a little enthusiasm and a good attitude, the position as a PA can help you rise up the latter in "no time."

3. Become an Assistant Editor

Although this position is considered entry-level, it requires you to have a certain amount of education and experience in editing. A job as a assistant editor may consist many cuts and edits created to help the main editor "simply sit down and begin cutting."

How a TV show gets made

What are three ways that television production is different thank feature film production? What did you find interesting about this process?

Television production is very different in that it requires one to be heavily constrained by time, requires distribution to television networks, and allows them to broadcast their show through different services. Time constraints make the writing of the script much more faster paced compared to a blockbuster movie. In a span of one blockbuster movie being made, a writer for a tv production can write thirteen 45 minute episodes. A show can be finished from a couple weeks to a couple hours before the show is aired. Once the entire episode is finished, the episode must get distributed to broadcasters around the country. While movie screenings have the movie theater to distribute their movie, tv episodes have different services to choose from to air their show. including Cable, Network TV, and streaming. I found it interesting that they were able to finish an entire episode in such as short amount of time. The writer must write quickly, the editors much make the final cut efficiently, and the production team needs to work together to meet those due dates.

Who Owns the Media

How do you think most of the media in the world being owned by just six companies affect our world? What are the pro's and cons of so few owning so much?

Because most of the media is owned by just six companies, they are able to dictate a large portion of the socially accepted idea. They have the ability to maneuver the public into having a certain political stance on a subject. Therefore, the audience is more susceptible to incorrect information. Corruption can also occur when such a small number owns the entire media. Some pros of this is that they can provide a greater global reach for smaller, newer companies. This allows more opportunities for upcoming companies to reach a wider audience. However, there are cons to this practice. With very few owning the media, it causes them to become "sluggish oligopolies," creating limited competition among these media companies.

EPK Director/Producer

How is an EPK Director/Producer's role different from a traditional film director or producer? What are some of their responsibilities on a production?

Compared to a traditional film director or a producer, an EPK Director/Producers are in charge of the creating behind the scenes, documentaries, an extras for the DVD release of the main film. On production of their film, they must shoot effective b-roll that enhances the story to better communicate the main film. They will choose specific days in which many cast members are on set. In order to film interviews, they must schedule with the cast and crew. They must also keep in mind that interviews must be close to the set as possible. Proper lighting and audio must be acknowledged for the interviews. They are responsible to create the film up to two months in advance to the premiere.