Pursuing Courses in Mass Communication opens out a world of careers to an individual instead of restricting options. Courses in Film making is the process of projecting ideas and insights,, plots and relationships on the screen through either a story or a documentary. The making of film involves producers, directors,, script and screen play writers, camera people, cinematographers and actors. As such the director is the captain of the ship and has a good working knowledge of all the above areas.
The Prospects:
With the proliferation of TV channels and companies,, the opportunities for film makers are growing. Film makers could work a) with a production house or TV channel on serials or documentaries b) an advertising agency c) with an established film maker as an assistant d) on their own.
Most film makers begin in the production department of a production house and some in an advertising agency assisting the producer and director and working in practically all areas of film making. In 2-3 years if one is on a fast track or in 4-5 years, one can expect to move on to being an assistant director in a film / serial and then to becoming a director in ones own right.
Many professional film makers branch out on their own after 5-10 years, either setting up their own firms,, soliciting clients like corporates looking for advertising or subject-based films, OR they work freelance, meeting clients across areas and making films on a variety of subjects. As in all art,, recognition comes through critical praise or through awards that establish the reputation of the film maker.
Large TV channels are Star TV, Zee Telefilms, Sony TV, Television Eighteen, MCM Asia and B4Music. Production houses such as Balaji Telefilms, Cinevistaas,, Creative Eye,, UTV, Metalight, and Nimbus also recruit film makers. Smaller production houses include Optymystix, Contiloe Films and Miditech.
Leading advertising agencies include McCann-Erickson India, Lintas, FCB Ulka, Euro RSCG, Interface, J Walter Thompson, Ogilvy & Mather (O&M), Leo Burnett, Mudra Communication, RK Swamy BBDO, Grey Worldwide, Ambience, Percept. Bates,, Lowe Lintas,, Rediffusion DY&R, Publicis and American Blackstone.
Independent film production houses in Mumbai include Genesis, Equinox,, Big Picture,, White Light, Foot Candles and Red Ice.
The job:
Feature film / theatre directors
Choose a script or play
Hire assistant directors, principal cast members,, and key production staff
Coordinate the work of writers,, directors, managers,, and other staff
Audition and select cast members
Conduct rehearsals. Direct the work of the cast and crew
Use knowledge of acting,, voice, and movement to achieve the best performances from actors
Work with the team of technical people, camera people and actors,, managing peoples moods, performance and schedules
Approve scenery, costumes,, choreography, and music.
Coordinate program elements, such as audio,, camera, and special effects.
Oversee and coordinate the editing and final form of the film
Freelance documentary film makers may be commissioned by an organization to make a film or may choose a subject and make the film and then try to market it. Such film makers
Meet clients and present proposals for films OR choose a subject for filming
Research the subject, through books, internet and personal interviews. This process may involve traveling
Find or create the funding for the film, whether by finding a producer or an organisation that could sponsor the film or by funding it oneself
Prepare the script for the film
Hire camera people and sometimes, equipment for the making of the film
Schedule the shoots and the locations with camera people, relevant authorities in each location and the people being interviewed
Shoot the film in various locations
Oversee and coordinate the editing and final form of the film
If needed, market and promote the film in relevant forums
Personality Traits:
Deeply interested in people, society, relationships and ideas
Creative and original in perceiving situations and in expressing ideas
Able to take a stand and persuade people to move towards the directors vision
Able to work in a team with diverse people, often under high stress or even emotional situations
Open to handling unpredictable, last minute situations that could be location or schedule-specific
Risk taking
Untiring over long hours of rehearsals and shoots with unpredictable sleeping patterns
Knowledgeable about all technical aspects of film making including camera, editing, lights, sounds, make up and acting
Salary:
Most beginners get a starting salary between Rs 5000 and Rs 10,000 per month depending on the qualification of the person and the size of the company.
Assistant directors would get paid between Rs 30,000 and Rs 50,000 per month.
A film maker can eventually be the creative head of a production house where earnings could range between Rs 10 lacs and Rs 30 lacs per annum.
Freelancer film makers could earn anywhere between Rs 2 lacs to Rs 15-20 lacs per film depending on the reputation of the film maker, nature and quality of equipment used and the clients needs.
Few useful links:
Related articles:
