FILM MAKING

Film making career is probably the broadest and most varied creative opportunity in mass media. Films are a blend of creativity and technicality and serves as an important media, not only for entertainment and information, but also for communication. Films also are the most important international medium and have developed into a universal art form that transcends cultural differences. Film making career includes making of feature films, documentaries, newsreels, promotional films, TV commercials, music videos, etc. Filmmaking mostly is known for its teamwork among people with varied skills. The number of people involved in making a particular film and their role and responsibilities would depend upon the type of film being made. For example making of a feature film would require a larger crew than needed for a documentary.

To understand the various activities which are involved in film making, functions of the major units like production, direction, sound and so on have been discussed under separate headings.The craft of filmmaking is not completed without the teamwork which needs close coordination of various skilled individuals. The various work allocations in film making career includes acting, directing, producing, script writing, cinematography, sound recording, visual mixing, editing and so on. A film maker like the captain of a ship has to look at all these aspects of film making. He has to start at the very bottom and work his way up, i.e. beginning with raising capital for the film to its distribution, screening as well as all the stages of its crafting.




The field of film making which is highly and most competitive is one that has a lot of scope for employment opportunities especially in India which releases a large number of films every year in a number of local languages. If one has artistic and technical skills and at the same time has the ability to express ideas, this is the right field for you. Even for acting and directing, which are basically creative fields that require inherent talent,training helps to hone the skills.In areas of cinematography, sound engineering and editing, professional training is essential. There are several universities and institutions in the country that offer training in these areas.

The pioneering institute in this line is the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Pune.There are many activities that go into filmmaking, film distribution and film screening. Depending on the size of a company, either an entire department or a separate individual handles each activity.

Film production
It involves all the management aspects of the film including arranging for finance and funding, signing various contracts, hiring, negotiating with artists, technicians and all free lancers, attending to the legal aspects wherever applicable, such as acquiring copyrights or legal rights, taking care of the necessary insurance requirements, allocating budgets, arranging to public relations and publicity, co-ordinating with various agencies, set management, location hunting, setting and meeting schedules,

marketing a film, liasing with distributors, television networks, exporters and importers, attending to travel arrangements, and handling other day to day problems including catering, labour problems and security arrangements.

Film direction
It involves all creative aspects of filmmaking. It is the director and his team that decides on the script, cast, location, camera, sound, selection of the lead, drawing up call sheets and shooting schedules, rehearsing and directing actors, deciding make-up and ensuring that things go on schedule. Scripting involves, besides writing, research, development, adaptation during the filming and continuity. The camera department is responsible for visualisation, filming and other finer aspects that go into shooting such as lighting, keeping tracks of 'takes', marking cans and maintaining log schedules. The sound department is totally responsible for all the sound effects, music, mixing, recording, dubbing and laying the soundtrack of the finished film.

Personnel involved in the various aspects of film production are: the producer whose responsibility the film is;
The director who handles the creative and technical aspects of the film; the screenplay writer who adapts a story to a suitable format, artists (including the hero, heroine, villain, comedians and other miscellaneous important link characters and extras); cinematographer, camera operator, light director, sound recordist, sound mixer, casting director, art director, music director, lyricist, choreographer, stunt director, special effects manager, costume designer, chief hair style designer, make-up director and the editor.



Educational Qualification
For technical courses basic eligibility is 10+2. For other courses it is graduation. There will be aptitude tests and interviews to assess the candidate's talents. Duration of courses depends on the course one opts for and the institution chosen. There are Diploma, Post Diploma and even Certificate courses in each area of specialisation. Specialisation in this career includes production, direction, editing, cinematography, film processing, animation, acting, sound engineering, make up, photography and so on.

Desired and Essential Attributes
For a career in the film industry, one basically needs to be creative and have immense self-confidence. It also calls for general awareness of the socio-cultural scene and current trends. One should be very persevering. It's a tough job, whatever aspect of film making one gets involved in. There could be hours of gruelling work, without breaks for even meals and rest. Therefore, the profession calls for people with good general health, stamina and the ability to put in hours of work. Level headedness, an ability to take bouquets and brickbats with equanimity, the ability to work in a team, adaptability and a high sense of responsibility.

Salary Range
Earnings of workers in the motion picture production and distribution industry vary, depending on education and experience, type of work, union affiliation, and duration of employment. Salaries for directors vary widely. Producers seldom get a set salary; instead, they get a percentage of a show's earnings or ticket sales.

Job Prospects
Candidates have good opportunities with Film Studios, Production Companies, Advertising Agencies, and Government Departments which make films or start their own venture as producer, director, editors, cameramen, soundmen, lighting crews, assistants and so on. The carious fields are:

• Production


• Direction


• Editing


• Acting


• Animation


• Light & Sound


• Related Field

There are specialised courses for all aspects of film making in which students are exposed to various types of equipment and the latest techniques of film production. What is taught in a professional training programme has to be refined upon by hardcore practical expeience.

• Courses in Audio Engineering


• Courses in Digital Film Making


• Courses in Media Technology

• Certificate Course In Acting


• Certificate Course In Film Direction and Cinematography, Audiography and Editing


• Certificate Course In Production and Direction


• Certificate Course In Professional Videography


• Certificate Course In Sound Recording and Reproduction

• Diploma In Acting


• Diploma In Audio and Video Production


• Diploma In Cinematography


• Diploma In Direction


• Diploma In Direction and Screen Play Writing


• Diploma In Direction, Acting, Videography, Film Editing


• Diploma In Dramatic Arts


• Diploma In Film Directing, Film Acting


• Diploma In Film Direction, Cinematography, Audiography and Editing


• Diploma In Film Editing


• Diploma In Film Making


• Diploma In Film Processing


• Diploma In Film Studies


• Diploma In Freehand Animation


• Diploma In Fundamental and Audio Visual Education


• Diploma In Motion Picture Photography


• Diploma In Photography


• Diploma In Production


• Diploma In Professional Photography


• Diploma In Scenic Design


• Diploma In Sound Recording & Sound Engineering


• Diploma In Video Camera and Lighting Diploma In Video Editing and Sound Recording

• Post Diploma In Acting


• Post Diploma In Film Direction


• Post Graduate Course In Cinema Studies


• Post Graduate Diploma In Video Production

• B.A (Hons) with Film Studies


• B.A in Film Studies


• Basic Course In Film and Television


• Bachelor Of Theatre Arts


• Course In Acting and Camera


• Course In Audio and Visual Education


• Course In Video Editing


• Film Appreciation Course In Cinema


• Master's Degree In Cinema Studies


• Programme In Film Studies

• Film &Television Institute of India (FTII): Law College Road, Pune - 411 004 (Maharashtra)


• Jamia Milla Islamia: A.J. Kidwai Mass Communication Research Centre, Maulana


• Satyajit Ray Film & Television Institute: E.M.Bypass Road, P.O. Panchasayar, Kolkata


• Asian Academy of Film & TV: MARWAH STUDIOS COMPLEX FC-14/15, Film City, Sector-16A NOIDA U.P, India


• Xavier Institute of Communication, St Xavier's College, Mahapalika Marg, Mumbai


• Film and Television Institute of Tamil Nadu, CIT Campus, Taramani, Chennai 600113

Film Making AJJ Films Anuskha Images - Shooting facilities. Applause Entertainment. Asian Academy of Film & Television. AVM Productions. Balaji Telefilms. Cine Dreams Film Corporation. Crystal Media Inc. DevaVision Productions. Fame India Ltd. Famous Studios. In House Productions. Instant Media Solution Pritish Nandy Comm Ltd. KAS Movie makers. Kripa Films - Trivandrum. Mindscreen Private Limited. Mukta Arts Limited. Neptune Films - Film distributors. National Film Development Corporation(NFDC). National Film Development Corporation. Rajshri - Producers and Distributors. Ramoji Film City. Trace. Visionaires - Film making. Yash Raj Films - Producer Yash Chopra. Zoher & Co.

The Indian film industry produces the largest number of films in the world. It produces over 800 films per year, and most of these films come from Bollywood i.e. the studios of Mumbai. Regional movies are also produced in large numbers, especially in the southern states and Bengal.

The film industry, though generally unorganized gives employment to a large number of people. The young get drawn to this industry mainly due to the glamour that surrounds movies and the people associated with it's making, though the reality is quite different. The process of making a movie may be quite grueling and taxing and involves a lot of repetitive work, however though the end product may give immense creative satisfaction to its makers and artists performing in it. Other than mainstream cinema i.e. feature films, there are many different kinds of films made, like documentaries, newsreels, and advertising films.