Film-Making and Television Production: An Actors Introduction for Dummies

Everything an actor needs to know about how a production runs. A step by step introduction to the world of film-making and Television Production from both the crew’s point of view and through the eyes of an actor.  This includes student film-makers to all the way to the professional shoots with big time directors.

Part 1

Let’s start at the bottom of the chain with student film-makers

So you found that acting job where you have got the audition but the only problem is that it’s unpaid and for the student film-maker’s assessment for their TAFE or university course. You really want to do it but unfortunately you are thinking to yourself “I am not quite sure about it”. Experience is experience for all actors not matter what level of acting that actor has with their acting career. When you get the role it should be the best thing as an actor to extend your skills and your acting showreel.

Time and Deadlines

As a student film-maker, actors are often left wondering why there is little spent on a production that the student has created. Actors need to know that student film-makers are always running on tight deadlines when attending film school. For example I know that students are studying for about 120 hours over 18 weeks including 60 hours of private study. But not only is that but the student required to study other subjects while creating a project. In the professional world of film-making the process is much easier than it is at a film school. The process in the production world is pre-production can take up to 6 months, principal photography takes up to two weeks to complete and post-production can range from 6 months to 10 years. In film school we are likely to get two weeks principal photography and less than five weeks post-production with only one week pre-production. If we ain't complaining and you shouldn't be either as the actor.

Why is there black texta as the titles on the DVD?

As I explained it before student film-makers don’t have the time to create fancy DVD covers or titles for the DVD. Before you complain about the DVD when you receive it in the mail. Think is it really important to complain about it even though complaining about it even though you know it’s a student production. We can't help the black texta its a requirement we do in film school and a hard habit to break.

Student film-makers are the future of the production industry

You are possibly thinking “Why should I care about student film-makers?” Let me tell you something these talented young film-makers are the ones after film-school that will be working with you regardless so being nice to them is needed in order to keep your acting career. So show up on time and treat it like a professional shoot and you will be remembered for doing your job if not you will be remembered as the person who arrived late and was rude to the crew.

Part 2 coming soon!!!

Thank you for reading!!