Deciding on a film

- What are you interested in? A thriller, a comedy, a musical, or, perhaps, a horror film?

- It’s a pity it’s so late. I’d much rather have gone to the theatre.

- Look, we are going to the theatre next Saturday. Why don’t you come with us? I’ll ask Tom to book the tickets.

- Have you two made up your minds about the cinema?

- Yes, we are going to the Fellini film at the Odeon, if Nicole agrees.

- When are you leaving?

- We have to leave immediately, if we want to see the feature film.

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Creative elements of film

Ex. 13. Study the text.

Whether a film is made by a large motion-picture studio, a small group of craftsmen working together, or a single individual, it is created through an important combination of four basic elements: story, direction, camera work, and editing.

Story and Script

A film subject can be past, present, or future events; a family, a group of people, or an individual; and a portrayal of social conditions, an influence of an idea or a philosophy, or just a mood. The treatment of a subject may be romantic, analytical, subjective, or objective; it may be realistic, fantastic, serious, or humorous; or it may be an interpretation of a viewpoint.

Some motion-picture stories are originals, written specifically for the film. Others are adapted from stage and television plays, novels, short stories, biographies, and other published materials; the studio or filmmaker buys the right to adapt these materials for the screen.

The adaptation of a story or other idea to film is done by a screenwriter or by several screenwriters. Structurally, the script is composed of numbered scenes and sequences. A scene is a continuous, unified action occurring at a single time and place. It is usually composed of a series of shots. A shot, or take, is generally described as what is photographed during a single running of the camera.

The Producer

Am. one who has responsibility for the administrative aspects of the production of a film (e.g. casting, schedules, and esp. finance); Br. one who has responsibility for the artistic and technical aspects of a play or broadcast.

Film Crews

The making of a motion picture may involve a large crew of men and women specializing in different crafts. The director may be aided by an assistant manager and a unit manager. Detailed records of shots and scenes are kept by a script clerk. The mounting, placing, and operating of lighting equipment are handled by electricians. Grip men are responsible for moving scenery and camera equipment. Propmen take care of items used on sets, such as furniture. Studio property departments maintain large stocks of furnishings of all kinds; propmen refurbish old props for new productions and make new props according to picture requirements.

Scenery and costumes for films are the responsibility of an art director. If a script calls for sets that must be constructed at the film studio, set designers use the script as a guide to draw up blueprints and sketches.

Clothing and costumes may be especially designed by costume designers, or they may be rented or taken from a stock of costumes kept by the studio. The garments being used are cared for by wardrobe supervisors. Male and female hairstyles and makeup for the face and other parts of the body are created by makeup artists.

portrayal treatment interpretation adapt screenwriter sequence occur

Изображение Обработка, трактовка Интерпретация Приспособлять Сценарист Последовательность Происходить

shot Grip man Stock blueprint sketch garment

Кадр Рабочий Запас Проект Эскиз Предмет одежды

Ex. 14. You are planning an interview with a well-known screenwriter. Make a list of questions about his work you intend to ask. Mind, you may be the one to act as the screenwriter in the interview.

Ex. 15. Imagine you are a film producer. Complain of you work and life on a page of your diary.

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Ex. 16. Study the text. Make a short report on the cinematography development in the postwar period.