Building a film crew

I expect you think I am going to talk about sailing. But I am referring to a film crew, though sailing could be involved. I assume you have an idea that can be put together in an interesting way, and you feel sure that it will be really worth making. Then discus your idea with friends and club members to generate enough interest to make up a crew. This is the most difficult part! So lets say you are planning to produce a drama, which can be any length, usually between 10 and 30 minutes. I have discussed plot and scripting in earlier articles.

Examples of past major amateur productions, some I have been involved with: “The Intruders”; “Reminiscences”; “Pillow Talk”; “The Golden Medallion”( with CFU, Richmond).

The Golden Medallion involved arranging a main location in Scotland, a large mansion with riding stables and use of horses, quite an undertaking, using a certain amount of luck. So this production meant finding a crew made up from people who were able and willing to take a week’s holiday at the time. We had to chance the weather, and were fortunate, for there was glorious sunshine in the Scottish location for the whole week. We were using 16mm film, shot mostly with an Ariflex Camera.

Now we come to the crew, number one would be the captain if it was a ship.
1. Of course it is the Director, who may be appointed but usually with an amateur production, the writer will want to direct what is his or her own inspiration,
2. The director will need help to get a keen enough group together to make a good team.
3. How do you decide who should do what?
4. Arranging the main location. There may be more than one,
5. Who provides the equipment. Borrowed, hired, personal etc.
6. There is transport to be considered.
7. Timing all have to be available when the shoot is on. Once there are enough people interested in being  involved in the making of the said epic, the next step is for the producer with the director to
 

form a small planning group. So, how many will be needed to make up the crew? It is certainly not as many as possible. (In those old days of sailing, a passenger was said to bring bad luck.) Now, being involved in helping to fetch, carry, hold and learn, also extras may be needed. Much patience is required, it is quite hard work if time is getting short, but can be enormous fun, rewarding and a great get together.

The problem of choosing the main crew or team,
• Who is going to be the camera person and assistants?
• A good lighting expert is essential.
• An art director and helpers to make scenery and props. (GOFA). But then it usually boils down to all mucking in with an amateur production.
• Continuity; (usually continuity girl) is essential to check what the actors are wearing, and the position of props etc.
• A person to log all the shots and check with the script.
• Remember the all important catering for the crew, (to ward off mutiny).
• If the plan is to make a documentary, this is likely to be sponsored and involve the club. Examples of major Club documentary productions: “A Canal Reborn”; “The Odyssians”; “A Job Worth Doing”. These may take months, or could be shot in a day. They may involve a team, or just one person with his or her camera and a couple of helpers or filmed by several different people over a period of months, as was the case with “A Canal Reborn.” This was not sponsored by the Canal Authorities, but they were very appreciative of the finished movie.

• Finally there is the lone worker. Many prizes have been won by one person with their camcorder. For example, Penny Johnson with her videos about wild life: butterflies, spiders, birds and animals. Ron Clements with “Patterns and Textures”, etc.

There is so much to explore and shoot with your camera, camcorder or super quality digital camcorder. Oh dear, I really must get cracking!

Jon Woolmer