It's Pirated!

What does the board do?

The Classification Board classify different types of material, things such as games or films before they can be legally viewed by the public. The Classification Board also decides what consumer advice. Consumer advice is designed to let consumers know which classifiable elements (for example violence, sex, coarse language, themes, drug use and/or nudity) have led to the classification decision. Consumer advice helps you make an informed choice about the material you, or those in your care, choose to read, view or play. The board classifies internet sites relevant to ACMA developed by for distribution over mobile phone networks. The Board also provides classifications to the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service in relation to the importation of publications, videos and computer games.
How important is context in the decision making process?


The classification of a film, computer game or a publication is about informing choices. Before any material is made widely to the public, the Classification Board assesses the content depending on contextual background prior to the rating’s of games for example or films viewed by different perspectives. The producer has to act as if he was seated within a cinema with an audience, whereas, the director might not view material as violent, scary or offensive in any way. The Classification Board also makes a decision on appropriate consumer advice that lets you know what to expect when you watch the film or video, open the magazine, or play the computer game.

How is impact assessed?

It all depends on context – whose shoes you are in and whether the viewer is mature audience to accept what they see. The impact is assessed on how much violence or horrific media material l is delivered to the viewer to make up their minds. But impact for a democratic society could be classified as judgmental on individuals who play this type of classifications or watch gory R rated films.

Research some of the decisions the Board has made in recent years. What content has been refused classification or needed to be amended?

The Classification Board also makes a decision on appropriate consumer advice that lets you know what to expect when you watch the film or video, open the magazine, or play the computer game. Consumer advice warns the audience about content that may scare, upset or have a strong impact. In providing consumer advice at lower classification levels (such as G and PG), the Classification Board focuses on providing information about content that may have an impact on children, especially very young children. Some examples include The Human Centipede & A Serbian Film.

Their challenge was Undead

Undead is a 2003 Australian feature film directed by brothers Michael and Peter Spierig. The genre for the film is a zombie horror comedy staring Felicity Mason, Mungo McKay and Rob Jenkins. The Making of Undead demonstrated the various challenges for the cast in the making of the film. The summary of Undead in simple words is a old-fashioned Australian fishing village is overcome by meteorites that turn its residents into the ravenous Undead, leaving a small group of those unharmed to find a way out. The three stages of production are pre-production, production and post-production, and out of all stages time and budget was their major concern.

The roles undertaken by the cast were set many tasks rather than one role each. Michael and Peter Spierig were directors, editors, producers and writers of Undead. After making over fifteen short films, dozens of television commercials and numerous music videos, the Spierig Brothers decided to take the leap into feature film production in early 2000. The production designer Matthew Putland said that in every film he was in there were always challenges and therefore he enjoyed the challenges that Undead portrayed.

Undead has been a two and a half year project for Directors Michael and Peter Spierig.  Pre-production began almost eight months before principal photography.  The film’s complex visual effects meant the directors had to spend an enormous amount of time planning and testing ideas.  Due to the budget constraints every aspect of the film had to be planned carefully. A detailed 15 minute animatic of the film’s climax was created in order for the production team to grasp the complexity of the effects and live action requirement. 

In the pre-production process of Undead, Hundreds of make-up effects appliances were created by Steven Boyle. The task would prove very daunting for the small effects crew.  The team worked almost non-stop for 10 weeks to create the hoards of zombies and unique creature designs.

After principal photography wrapped, a smaller second unit would continue shooting for an additional 19 days.  With the reduced crew, shooting became long and extremely difficult.  A number of complex action sequences still had to be shot including a car crash at night.  The cast and crew’s enthusiasm and dedication for the project made these very difficult days and nights possible. 

Over 305 visual effects were created for the film taking over eight months of around the clock work.  Many of the effects were created on Peter’s and Michael’s laptop.  The process was slow and at times extremely frustrating.  During this time Michael and Peter were also the editors and sound designers, meaning very little sleep for the brothers. The end result is a film that redefines the low budget horror genre.   

 

Help Wanted

Editor:

Film Editors assemble footage of films, television shows and documentaries into a product. They manipulate plot, score, sound, and graphics to refine the overall story into a continuous and enjoyable whole. On some films, the film Editor is chosen before cast members. In the same way directors use certain actors they appreciate over and over again, they also use film Editors they know and are comfortable with. Film Editors work closely with sound editors and musical directors as the film nears completion. Long hours and significant isolation while actually editing can make even the most positive minded film Editor question their career choice.

Gaffer:

A gaffer in the production industry is an Electrician that can be head of the electrical department, responsible for the execution of the lighting plan for a production. Gaffers can coordinate the entire job of lighting, given knowledge of the time of day and conditions to be portrayed, managing resources as broad as electrical generators, lights, cable, and manpower. Gaffers are responsible for knowing the appropriate colour of gel to put on the lights or windows to achieve a variety of effects, such as transforming midday into a beautiful sunset.

They work for DOP of the film to television.

One of the Gaffers' key responsibilities is Health and Safety. 

Executive producer:

The role of the Executive Producer is to go over the work of the producer on behalf of the studio, the financiers or distributors. They will ensure the film is completed on time, within budget, and to agree to the standards and expectations. During production Executive Producers may be involved in some aspects of scripting, casting, and crewing. Executive Producers often work on a number of projects simultaneously.

Video producer:

This person is responsible for producing, directing, editing, and creating in academic content. Content formats include video tapings created in our in-house studio, webinars, audiocasts, and e-learning software. These productions are delivered via an online learning management system and other related media. The qualifications are:
• BS or BA with a major course of study in Media/Video Production
• 3 years production and post-production experience
• Proficient in all aspects of creating finished projects with Adobe Premiere, Photoshop, PowerPoint, and After Effects
• Proficient in digital high definition camera recording, encoding, and workflow
• Detail oriented and proven ability to thrive in a dynamic environment
• Demonstrate creative decision-making and problem solving skills, resourcefulness, and multi-tasking abilities
• Effectively manage project schedules and works under rigorous time constraints
• Proficient with both MAC and PC, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint

Script Supervisor:

Script Supervisors' overall responsibility is to monitor whether it is possible for each shot scene to be edited into a verbally and visually coherent sequence.  During pre–production they check the script for any errors and/or inconsistencies, prepare estimated running times, and break down the script according to production requirements. There aren’t really any qualifications for script supervisors although some film schools and training courses offer a good basic grounding in the skills and knowledge required.  The National Film and Television School offers an industry recognised 6 day short course for Script Supervisors.

Film Production Roles

Compositor:

A compositor work in most areas of animation and post production. They are responsible of gathering previous material to create a final product. Their job is to creatively combine all the elements into the final image, ensuring that the established style of the project is respected and continuity is maintained. They work closely with lighters and need to have technical knowledge of how 3D lighting works in order to understand the 'multi passes' that the lighters create. They also liaise closely with render wranglers to progress work through the department.

Editor:

Film Editors assemble footage of feature films, television shows, documentaries, and industrials into a seamless end product. They change plot, score, sound, and graphics to refine the overall story into a continuous and enjoyable whole. This is done particularly in the production process before it is delivered to an audience. Directors use certain actors they appreciate over and over again, they also use film Editors they know and are comfortable with. Film Editors work closely with sound editors and musical directors as the film nears completion.

Producer:

A Producer sets the situation for the production of a television show or movie. A film Producer initiates, coordinates, supervises and controls all aspects of a production, from fundraising and hiring key personnel, to arranging for distributors. The Producer hires the director and the crew, manages the film through production and secures distribution for it when it is finished. The director is in charge of the line whereas a producer is the chief of the pre-production process.

Researcher:

A researchers works across various genres in media like news, sport, current affairs, documentaries including film production. They develop ideas and work with industry requirements and then send their information to decision makers. They greet contributors and brief them before recording commences, support them as necessary, and escort them from the studio or location once shooting is completed.

Translator:

A translator is a person who translates one language to another and this is done usually after the originally film is made. Everything is fixed before post-production so that when the film is viewed it can be seen in countries all across the globe.

My Jaw Dropped

.

























1. Where did the idea for Jaws originate? How did it become a film? Who contributed to the screenplay?The idea for Jaws came from the novel Jaws by Peter Benchley. Steven Spielberg spoke of the relations Jaws had with Duel except, only under water. Also, the idea of came from a fisherman at sea and Speilberg figured the great suspense of a mysterious shark that ate humans.


2. Why were particular scenes removed from the film?The scene where the boy was being dragged along with his fathers body was deleted because Speilbered thought that it was too brutal.


3. During the pre-production stage what sort of footage did the producers commission in preparation for the film? How was the script changed as a result of this footage?In the pre-production process, Ron & Valerie Taylor were organising, at first a doll to be fitted into the cage under water off the coast of Australia. A shark got caught into the cage and panicked. The cage was made smaller to make the shark look bigger. The script was changed because the cage was initially supposed to have someone inside, and therefore the unintentional changed the script.


4. What was involved during the casting process?the screen actors guild contract was about to expire at the end of that year, it could have been 1973, perhaps, whatever the year was, and the studio decreed that no movie would be started that couldn't be finished by June 30th.


5. What is location scouting? Why did Steven Spielberg choose the locations for the film?Location scouting is the process of looking for locations in which to film your video production. It requires a lot of traveling, observing and talking to people. Location scouting in Jaws is the town which had 'very strict rules'. Steven Spielberg choose the shot because he didn't want to see land, he wanted them to feel 'cut off'. By pointing the camera to a particular direction the director could portray the ocean as a scary, big place. Another example is at the opening scene where the actor is filmed  under the water, an angle to block the outside.


6. Describe how actors contributed to the production of Jaws.Carl Gottlieb was hired because he was going to be on the set and help with the imporvisions, and that's how he became an actor. All of the cast tried to make the characters more real and believeable to create more tension and freightning suspense.


7. What does a composer do? What considerations were taken into account when writing the music for Jaws?A composer is someone who writes music piece for theatre, tv, radio, film or computer. The composer makes sure that the music suits the project; as in the case of film scores where the music should help move the story without overpowering the scene. It became a classic piece of suspense music, synonymous with approaching danger. It is said that the producers wanted the soundtrack was intended to sound like the sharks heart beat increasing at it goes in for the hunt. Spielberg acknowledges that Williams sound is only half successful. This is because Steven wanted something less French appropriate and William wanted it more threatening.


8. What did Spielberg do as a result of test screenings?Test screaning was when Ben Gardner created the suspected tension between amongst the audience, so he paid $3,000 for a more frieghtening scene.

9. What is a director of photography? How was the director of photography involved in the production of Jaws?Wanted to use camera at water level, at a human point of view. What also was included was the camera hand held technique which was used for most of the film.

A D.O.P is director of photography, also known as Cinematographer, he/she is someone who supervises the recording of the movie. The cinematographer creates equipment just to make jaws

10. What does an editor do? Who was the editor on Jaws and what was her responsibility?

 An editor the process of selecting and preparing written, visual and audible media of a film to be used to convey information through the processes of correction, organisation, and other modifications in the film, performed with an intention of producing a correct, consistent, accurate, and complete output. Verna Fields was the editor of Jaws. Known as 'Mother Cutter', cooked for the crew, told stories and more importantly cut the film. Never had enough film to cut, didn't do much until the final product where she worked hand in hand with Spielberg editing the film.

11. Based on the documentary, what are the responsibilities of a producer?

 

They were essentially overseeing the entire project and wanted to convey the interpretation of Jaws to the production, it was very tense as at times they thought their careers as producers would disintegrate if the film failed which seemed to be the likely outcome for a time.

12. What does the producer do once principal photography has finished?

At first, Spielberg and the cast of jaws felt that the film was heading downhill for a short moment as most thought their careers would disintegrate.

The crew had to watch the final product and that is when editors step in to see what can be given or taken away from the film. During the post-production period they arrange for distribution.

13. What did the production designer do on the film?

The role of the production designer in Jaws, Joe Alves would collaborate with the director of the film and they were responsible of the overall look on the post-production