Pre-production
What is a slugline?
A scene heading in a script (all caps)
What is a mockumentary? Provide an example.
Tv series and films which combine comedy, satire and staged interviews, e.g. The Office.
What is a 'foil' character?
A character (often a sidekick or antagonist) designed to highlight specific traits of the protagonist through sharp contrast in personality, values, or behavior.
What is a logline?
A 1 - 2 sentence summary of your film
What is a backlot?
An area behind or adjoining a movie studio, containing permanent exterior buildings for outdoor scenes in filmmaking or television productions, or space for temporary set construction.
stripboard
What is the difference between A-Roll and B-Roll?
A-roll = dialogue/interview footage
B - roll = supplmentary footage to cover transitions, provide visual examples or to make A-Roll more dynamic.
What is a static character? Provide an example.
Characters that do not experience internal change, e.g. Dumbledore or James Bond.
What is a premise pilot?
What is a 'skeleton crew'?
The smallest number of people needed to keep shoot a scene
What goes within parentheticals in a script?
Action
Provide 2 reasons why directors might use jumpcuts.
Amplify tensions in the scene (energy)
Highlight the mental state of a character
Create a montage
Introduce a new character
Accent the timing of an interview, such as in a documentary
What is a round character? Provide an example.
What is a high-concept film?
An idea that can be boiled down to a memorable and unique hook. It’s a film that’s more idea or world-driven rather than character-driven.
List the key characteristics of 'guerilla filmaking'?
Skeleton Crew
Single Takes
Documentary/handheld look
On location filming
Less noticeable audio/camera equipment
What is the difference between 'extras/silents bits' and 'extras/atmosphere' in a script breakdown sheet?
silent bits - extras that have a small non-verbal role that briefly interact with main actors.
Atmosphere - extras that fill space to create a realistic environment.
What is a participatory documentary?
Participatory documentaries include the filmmaker within the narrative.
1. The filmmaker is a character.
2. The interviewer’s questions are included in the edit.
3. The viewer is aligned with the filmmaker.
Stereotypes for comic sketches are often what type of character?
Flat, e.g. Domingo (SNL)
What is a proof of concept film?
A proof of concept is a smaller sample of what an eventual (often larger) project might look like.
Provide an explanation of 'below-the-line' crew.
The essential technical and logistical professionals paid a fixed-rate to execute a film's production, e.g. Gaffers, Grips, Sound Mixers, Production Assistants (PAs), Set Decorators,.
List 4 considerations that must be taken into account when prepping a shooting schedule.
Talent/crew availability
Location and vehicle availability
Minors and stunts availability
Pages to shoot per day
Changes in physical appearences
Season considerations
What is an expository documentary?
Expository documentaries are heavily researched and constructed to inform and persuade.
Dynamic characters must go through what kind of change?
Internal change.
Describe the narrative structure of a succesful tv pilot, using examples.
Breaking Bad
Act 1: Walt introduction and inciting incident (cancer diagnosis)
Act 2: Climax
Act 3: Denoument - resolution and cliffhanger.
Describe scene blocking.
The precise staging of actors' movements and positions in relation to the camera, lighting, and set. It involves choreographing where actors stand, sit, or move to create dynamic, meaningful visual compositions that enhance storytelling.