How is a Film Made?

How is a film made?

Film Making-Bravo

These are the stages in making films

I made this paper in fact solely to record everything that I experienced, especially in the field of film. Absolutely not to patronize. Because for me the journey of life will be a beautiful memory if well recorded so that it becomes a historical record that can be taken benefits and wisdom for others.

Even more important is to be able to inspire others to make the film work. If this is achieved, I am sure it will have multiple effects on the development of creative industries in Indonesia.

Alright, let's talk about "Film Production" casually.

The film is a collective work because this work is a combination of devices that support one another. Screenwriter, Director, Assistant Director, Art Director, Director of Photography (DOP), Lightman, Gaffer, Cameraman, Clepper, Continuity, Wardrobe, Makeup, Sound Designer, Sound Director, Location Manager, Production Manager All Done.

As an integrated system, all parts must be able to work together for the same purpose, namely the creation of a film. Without good cooperation, film production will be lame.

Although it seems complex, in fact, the film can be created with a simple device. Because in principle (in my opinion) if the visualization that we put together has revealed a storyline, we have obtained the substance of the film. Even with an HP device, a film can be created.

In general, a film is made through the following stages:

Pre-Production-Bravo

A. Pre-Production:

Pre-Production refers to the things done by the Production Team before the execution of shooting in making a film (before film production).

Like cooking a meal, starting film production requires recipes and stages of gathering ingredients and mixing the spices.

Based on what I experienced, there are several steps in the Pre-Production stage that must be taken; that is:

1. Making the Basic Concept of Film Script:

The concept of the script here which contains, vision, mission, the purpose of the film is made, the type/genre of film, duration, segmentation of the audience, and the basic devices underlying a film made/produced. Or maybe in terms of the hardware (HardWare) of a Computer, the concept of my film is likened to a HardWare specification.

With clear specifications, the capabilities of a computer will be mapped. Likewise for a film, the specifications will clearly be directed to where the audience's imagination is being taken, what message is to be conveyed (What to say?) And how (How to say?) Techniques to convey the message in the film we are going to make.

If in the context of cooking or food, the Basic Concept of Film can be likened to food planning what we will make ? with what ingredients? What are the spices? What is the dose of ingredients and spices? How do you cook it technically? And so forth.

This basic concept must be clear. Do not let us want to cook Sop, so instead Soto. Or want to make clear vegetables instead it turns lodeh! It will confuse the taste. The film also has the same nature. Then the basic concept must be clear.

The concept of Fiction Film is certainly different from non-fiction films. All that is contained in the basic concept of the film script.

Usually, this step by the filmmaker is rarely made, and only stored in his brain. But in my opinion, this is important, because this basic concept will be a reference when the filmmaking process runs. Do not get in the middle of the process of making films deviated from its main purpose. Although that is fine, it can make 'complicated' a film production.

2. Making a Film Synopsis

A synopsis of a film is a general description of a film in a narrative manner. If in a fiction film, the film synopsis will tell about the storyline of the film in general. This will underlie a film script made because the synopsis does not describe the storyline in detail.

In the synopsis of fiction films are usually explained in a global narrative storyline. It is also necessary to express stressing or conflicts that will arise. Then there is an ending that appears behind.

If for a promotion, in synopsis the film ending is usually hidden with a question. This is sometimes needed to stimulate potential viewers to be curious and moved to watch it.

For example: "In a village on a hill, there lived an old warrior who lived in a neighborhood. His daily life was looking for firewood and leaves for medicinal herbs. One day he was visited by a group of young people who wanted to learn from him. After a few days studied, and it was felt sufficient knowledge of his group of young men excused himself to go out to fight crime. But the old man had not allowed it. How was the action of a group of young men quell crime?

Why hasn't the old geez allowed the young men to go and fight crime? Did the young men succeed in doing what they wanted? Witness the ingenuity of the young men in this film! "

This is just an example of a "provocative" synopsis, which aims to make the prospective audience curious. In the synopsis of this film, there is a promotional mission to provide stimulus to the audience to watch the film. There is also a flat synopsis pattern, without the words "provocative". Just choose which one, please ...

In the Non-Fiction film synopsis, in my opinion, is still needed to know the segments and narrative flow in describing a message or knowledge. Non-Fiction films can be made without any dramatic parts. There are also interspersed with dramatic elements as a connector between segments or as a 'sweetener' an introduction to knowledge/messages.

Story-Script-Bravo

3. Making the Story Script:

Before making a screenplay, a synopsis (better) is created/transferred into the script's

first story. Because this is needed to know the storyline in somewhat detail and narrative scenes. Maybe a short story can be made first, so the storyline can be mapped. Only then will the screenplay be made. This story script needs to know the outline of a film's narration, although it is a bit more detailed.

In making a story, a scriptwriter needs to slightly frown at his imagination to imagine the details of the narrative. In addition, it needs carefulness in the storyline. Who is the protagonist, who is the antagonist, who is the neutral, and what conflicts arise, including what the ending looks like? All must be mapped in the text of this story.

Well, the script of this story will be easier to map or compile if the film we are going to make comes from a short story (short story) or novel. Just look at the story and translate it into the visual language of the film.

In addition, the scriptwriter needs to examine and identify what properties will appear in the story. This is not only the need for an an-sich story but also requires an adjustment to the film production budget.

So a temporary conclusion, making the storyline (especially in fiction films) needs certain stages so that we are not confused about the cultivation of a film.

The documentary also needs a script that narratively describes the information that we will convey in the documentary. This is what will describe which segments are dramatic or descriptive, before entering the storyboard breakdown.

4. Creating Scenarios:

The screenplay is an implementation and development of the synopsis and story script that has been made by the film scriptwriter.

A screenwriter must have a good imagination. Because the development of synopsis in the form of scenarios requires details of the synopsis.

In addition, the screenwriter must also understand the terms of scenario writing. I think it can be learned from technical books about the application of making screenplays.

Screenwriters must understand visual symbols and sound characters or illustrations in a film. Because films are symbols that appear in visual works that aim to transfer a message to the audience or the audience of the film.

A screenwriter is also required to have a strong imagination. In each scene, he can imagine the atmosphere and the message that will be conveyed to the audience. Awareness of visual space and visual symbols must be applied correctly.

5. Scrypt Conference:

Manuscript review is to examine and technically identify parts of the manuscript or scene from several elements to determine the technical needs in the field (on production/shooting day).

Why is this manuscript important? Because this becomes a space of description and at the same time a discussion between the director, screenwriter, and other parts of the film production team. So that other divisions can find out the will of the director.

The elements that are dissected there are several things, including:

a. Time / era & property settings

A film certainly intends to convey a message, and this message requires several things related to the era/time in which the visualization of the film will convey it. This includes the basic settings of a film, and this will affect what settings and properties will be used in the film that we are going to make. So in this case the Art Director & Property plays an active role in translating the will of the director.

Especially in fiction films. Historical films about Hitler for example, the settings and properties must definitely be adjusted to the era. And it's impossible for players to use/use a Rolex watch made in 2017! And feels funny when the film era with boarding.

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c. Sound effects and illustrations:

The role of audio in a film is very crucial. Try to imagine a horror film without any creepy audio effects. Surely it will not feel a horror film, even the audience will feel flat, and the feel does not enter into the atmosphere and horror atmosphere.

So in the script review, it is necessary to have a description and discussion between the director and Sound Designer, so that the audience feels they will be carried away in the atmosphere expected by the director.

6. Recce & Location Survey:

Recce in some terms that I read is looking for suitable locations for film production (shooting) related to other technical matters. For example, with the need for lights, and tools, and other property.

After the manuscript is dissected at the script conference, a description of the desired location and agreement between the director and the other team will appear. Then the Location Manager is in charge of surveying the location in accordance with the text. In this activity, a site manager should be accompanied by a director, production leader and unit manager, so that the location survey becomes more effective and saves time.

Some things that need to be noted and surveyed are:

a. Location/area in general. Kampung, urban, or certain areas that are in accordance with the text. It is expected that several locations will be collected in one (adjacent) area, so that film production can be effective.

b. Wardrobe location and makeup talent (actor).

c. Location/point of monitor director and property post.

d. Talent transit place / room (actor).

e. Parking space for both crew (production team) and talent.

f. Genset Place

g. Public Works place/room.

h. Toilet (MCK)

All location points need to be considered licensing. Both the procedure and financing.

Film-Making-Bravo