What is a Colourist?
Film or TV productions are usually filmed in many different locations, times and weather conditions. Because of this, many shots differ in brightness, white balance, saturation etc. The Colourist edits the different shots until they all match, and they also craft the final look of a film, agreeing with clients on the right tones.
Our pick of the highlights from the BFI Film Festival, which took place earlier this month:
Good Time
Director: Josh & Benny Safdie
Release date: 17 November 2017
Starring: Robert Pattinson, Benny Safdie, Jennifer Jason Leigh
After blowing a bank heist, Constantine Nikas’ (Robert Pattinson) younger brother is arrested. In an adrenaline-fuelled rush to collect $10,000 and save his brother and himself, Constantine risks his life through New York City’s underworld, in a spiral of chaos and violence that puts his own life on the line.
“By now, Robert Pattinson shouldn’t have to prove he can act. Cosmopolis, The Rover, Maps to the Stars and The Lost City of Z – they all show that his brooding Twilight days have passed into teen-movie myth. But if doubters still need proof, check out the Pattinson tour de force in Good Time. The title makes the movie sound like a romp. Instead, it’s a hellish ride through a New York night. As directed by the Safdie brothers, Josh and Benny, the movie rips through 100 minutes of screen time like Wile E. Coyote with his tail on fire. It’s electrifying.”
– Peter Travers (Rolling Stone)
What is an Agent?
Performers and creatives across the film and tv industry often get job contracts which last only for a single production. For this reason, they have to be constantly connected with the industry’s decision makers, in order to be cast in new roles or hired for new jobs.
Agents represent the mediator in this connection. Staying in touch with producers and recruiters in the industry, they provide their client with the appropriate deals and offers.
The next event in our run of sold-out TV Networking events at The Hospital Club takes place on Thursday 12th October. Our second speaker on the night will be World Productions’ award-winning Creative Director, Simon Heath, who will discuss his work on hit BBC Two crime series, Line of Duty.
Simon Heath
Starting off his career in 1993 as a script editor and writer for Byker Grove and Ant & Dec, Simon Heath joined World Productions 20 years ago, as a script editor on Channel 4’s Ultraviolet, before working his way up to Producer (Attachments for BBC Two, Men Only for Channel 4), and then becoming Head of Drama.
Heath’s credits as Executive Producer in the following years include BAFTA-nominated dramas such as Outlaws and Hancock & Joan, and RTS-nominated films Ahead of the Class and United.
In 2011, now as Creative Director of World Productions, Heath executive produced the five-part police corruption thriller, Line of Duty, which at the time was BBC Two’s highest-rating drama for more than 10 years. The following year his show The Fear won two BAFTAs and a RTS Award.
What is an Assistant Choreographer?
When film, TV or theatrical productions involve dance routines, one or more Choreographers will work on designing them. They then need to train the dancers or actors to perform these movements. In bigger productions the training is carried out by Assistant Choreographers, who also sometimes help with the movement design.
Our next TV Networking event is fast approaching, and for the October edition, taking place on the 12th at The Hospital Club, we’re delighted to be hosting two top speakers from ITV Studios, who were behind one of this year’s most successful reality series: ITV2’s smash-hit summer sensation, Love Island.
Richard Cowles and Tom Gould
ITV Creative Director Richard Cowles started his career in documentaries, before becoming a Producer/Director and then Series Producer on a range of award-winning factual entertainment series, including Ibiza Uncovered and Airline.
In 2002 he co-created and produced the global hit format, I’m a Celebrity… Get me out of here!. The survival reality show has topped more than 10 million viewers in most of the 16 series aired to date. The final episodes of the 2nd and 3rd series were viewed by more than half the total TV audience at the time.
What is a Film/TV Accounts Trainee?
It is essential, in the Film and TV industries, to keep track of any income and expenses in order to make sure that the production stays within the set budget, and ultimately to make predictions about its economic success. The Film/Tv Accounts Trainee supports the accountancy team in making and recording payments.
In our latest Expert Q&A we talk to Director and Producer/Director, David Whitney, about his career to date – working around the world on TV, film and branded content projects.
How did you get your big break, and what was your first job?
My first job in the industry was working as an Assistant Grip on a low budget feature film in the late 90s. I was still a teenager and it was all very new to me, in fact I thought it was crazy – lots of grown ups shouting at each other, people crying on set, tantrums, numerous affairs… but it was great fun and didn’t put me off.
I knew I didn’t want to work on the technical side of things, so I took a job working as a Production Assistant at a well-known film company. One thing led to another and in my early twenties I got the opportunity to direct some corporate jobs, then TV commercials.
In 2005 I directed a short film, which led to my nomination for BBC New Filmmaker of the year, and from that I began directing TV drama, as well as more ads and branded content. After festival success for my short film, George’s Day (starring actor Michael Byrne), I raised the finance for my debut feature, which was released around the world and picked up by Netflix. This has led to countless other opportunities shooting all over the world. It’s been a fascinating ride!
What is a Costume Designer?
Any film, TV or Video production has its specific aesthetics and particular looks that comply with the setting of the story being represented. Along with the scenography, and the appearance of the actors, their clothes must be spot on as well.
Here is where Costume Designers play their role, designing, creating, buying or hiring all costumes to be worn by the cast.
What is a Screenwriter?
Every film or TV show needs a script, not only for the actors to read and memorise their lines, but for the whole production to have a reference and a complete picture of the story which is being represented. It’s the Screenwriter’s job to develop the story and write the script.