TEXT 1. MAKING A FILM

Every week millions of people go to the movies. Many millions more watch movies that are broadcast on television or are played back on a videotape or DVD player. Movies have become a gigantic industry. A typical feature-length film costs several million dollars to make and requires the skills of hundreds of workers. Highly technical devices, including cameras, sound-recording equipment, projectors, are needed to film and show movies.

In addition to their artistic and entertainment values, movies are also widely used in education, especially as teaching aids. Movies use slow motion, animation and other techniques to demonstrate processes that otherwise could not be seen or studied thoroughly. For example, a film can speed up the formation of crystals.

Motion pictures are also used to inform viewers. TV stations often present documentaries. A documentary is a nonfiction movie that tries to present factual information in a dramatic and entertaining way. Documentaries deal with a variety of subjects, such as environmental pollution and the history of presidential elections.

Making a feature film calls for a special blend of art and business skills; although the film cast and crew may include hundreds of members, the people who perform two key functions remain in the centre of the filmmaking process: the producers and directors. The producers are the chief business and legal managers of the film. Usually, one or more executive producers from the film company supervise the work of the producer of the specific picture. By choosing the director and supervising the budget, the producers exert great influence over the creative part of the film production.

The director is responsible for guiding the creative efforts of the screenwriters, cast and crew. Each film will pass through five stages to reach its audience: development, preproduction, production, postproduction and distribution.

All feature films begin with an idea for a story. The screenwriter's job is to turn the idea into a story. The script contains a dialogue, a description of the action, and the camera angles for each scene. Based on the film's 'package' which consists of the budget, script, shooting schedule and key creative people, the producers seek funds from banks, studios and private investors.

The preproduction stage involves planning for all the creative decisions, personnel choices, equipment and material necessary to make the film. The casting director considers candidates for each role through a series of auditions and interviews.

During the production period, the movie-as-imagined is brought to life and recorded on film and audiotape. Instead of working with words and drawings or budgets on paper, the filmmakers work with actors and actresses and the materials of real life. Filming may be made on a sound stage (a hangarlike building in which sets can be built) or on location. The advantage of shooting on location is that the set already exists, e.g., a skyscraper, a mountain or a harbour.

The production stage provides the raw materials from which the motion picture will be constructed. Post-production is the stage during which raw material is edited into a motion picture. The editor and director select the best shots to lay out the movie's structure, paying close attention to the rhythm and tempo of the film.

Distribution. Distributors are responsible for advertising the film and delivering it to its audience. Some producers are able to secure distribution before the film is even made. At this early stage distributors might be interested in the movie because of its star or because the film will be a sequel to a popular film.

All the films are classified into five categories before they could be shown to the audience: G - general, all ages admitted; PG - all ages admitted, but parental guidance suggested; PG-13 - all ages admitted, but parents are strongly cautioned to give special guidance to children under 13; R - restricted, persons under 17 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian; NC-17 - persons under 17 not admitted.

TASKS

There are, of course, more aspects to film-making and more people engaged in the process of shooting a film than those listed above.

1) Match each person (1-5) with what they would say (a-e).

1. Director	a) Can't you get on with the shooting? This is costing me money!
2. Producer	b) Scene 24! Take 25!
3. Continuity Girl	c) Your make-up's thicker and you are wearing a different dress!
4. Clapperboard Man	d) Clear the set! This is supposed to be a film studio! Get those damned extras out of here! Action! Cut!
5. Cameraman	e) Rolling!

2) Find out the functions of the following filmmakers:

a) the production manager;

b) the director of photography;

c) the art director;

d) the costume designer;

e) the set decorator;

f) the sound mixer;

g) the sound editor.

3) Match the filmmakers with the pictures.

Дата добавления: 2015-10-30