THE LIVING DEAD.

Undead is an Australian feature film, which was directed and produced by the Spierig brothers (Michael and Peter) in the year of 2003. Undead is a horror film starring Felicity Mason, Mungo McKay and Rob Jenkins.  This film also contains elements of action, sci-fi and comedy. The making of the film (Undead) highlighted the many challenges encountered during all three stages of the production process.

The story line for the film Undead is simple, the film begins in a normal simple peaceful small town named Rustic Berkeley, where life is sweet and people are friendly. But all that is about to change, when suddenly an avalanche of meteorites races through the sky, bombarding the town and bringing an otherworldly infection. The living dead are awakened leaving desperate survivors who were unharmed to find a way out, now caught in a nightmare of zombies hungry for human flesh. Together the survivors battle their way through a plague of walking dead and discover that there is more transpiring than just an infection.

Upon the making of the film the Spierig brothers were faced with a number of problems, during all three stages of the production process. The film was entirely funded by the Spierig brothers and their family and friends; therefore the major concern which was encountered during the pre-production and production stages of the film was the budget. On the first day of production both of the Spierig brothers claimed to have spent their entire budget on that one day, due to creating interior locations from scratch and having to create hundreds of makeup effect appliances. Due to the budget constraints every aspect of the film had to be planned carefully meaning that there was no room for mistakes or error. In other to overcome this situation the Spierig brothers were forced to incorporate cost saving techniques, which included gathering as many free resources as possible, such as paint, costumes, make-up and all sets had to be kept at the lowest cost possible. The majority of the film was shot in a warehouse located in Queensland Australia.

Not only were the Spierig brothers faced which budget concerns, casting took over two months during the pre-production stage because the Spierig brothers wanted to find the most suitable actors for the correct roles. Mother Nature also got in the way, many members of the cast and crew became sick and unable to work due to the extremely wet cold conditions meanwhile filming. With the reduced crew, filming became a long and extremely difficult task to complete; the Spierig brothers and crew were push to their limits.

Within the post-production stage, the Spierig brothers were tested once again. In order to complete the film the Spierig brothers were forced to take the work of editing the film themselves. Furthermore due to the limited budget the brothers were to create all the visual effects on their own personal laptops computers. Their computers lacked the industrial standard, which meant Michael and Peter working on their laptops battled with continuous hardware and software failures. Making the process time consuming and extremely frustrating, over 300 visual effects were created for the film taking over two and a half years of hard work and determination to complete the film.

Personal I believe that the concerns and problems myself and my group with face, will be during the production and post-production stages (filming and editing) this is because we lack the experience and knowledge towards editing. In order of completing and make a successful production all crew members, must work hard and be determined to completing the set task.  

X MARKS THE SPOT!

What does the classification board do?

-          The classification board is an independent Government body that classifies all types of material, such as films and computer games before they are viewed by the general public. The classifications PG, M, MA, 15+, R, 18+ OR X 18 and over are designed to help consumers decide what media material they will be consuming, now with this advice consumers are able to make an informed decision. 

-          The board is also decides what consumer advice is to be provide. The board also classifies internet context, referred by the Australian communications and Media authority (ACMA), and deals with material referred by the Australian customs.

How important is context in the decision making process?

-          Depending of the context of the film depends on the rating it will receive, for example the material of a film may contain violence, nudity, foul language. This will determine the classification of the film, the classification of a film, publication or computer game is about informing your choices. Before material is made available to the public, the Classification Board assesses the content to see where it fits within the classification categories. The context will affect the decision making process because depending on the context a rating will be allocated. The classification bored must comply with the Publication: film and computers games Act 1995. 

How is impact assessed?

-          While deciding and allocating classifications, the classification board must also asses the level of impact which consumers will be subjected to. Impact is assessed on the high force or shock a person will receive when consuming the media material. Level of horror or violence the film contains the same goes for computer games and other media material. 

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

-          Grand theft auto was classified RC (refused classification) in Australia under the classification-publications of films and computers Act 1995.

-          The decision to classify GTA 3 RC was due to a number of reasons, which included a large content of violence, criminal activity and sexual animations.

-          During the course of the game, the gamer undertakes a number of missions which include stealing police cars, killing police officers, running over pedestrians and obtaining different weapons. When in the action of an attack on a pedestrian, police officer or criminal figure a pool of blood is seen coming from the victim’s body.  Victims maybe attacked in a number of ways for example, punches to the body or face, repeated kicking or killed with the use of a weapon such as a gun.

-          According to the game sites the preferred method of killing is shooting at close range.

-          In one scene, the gamer stops to pick up a sex worker. She agrees to get into the car and the gamer drives onto a grassed treed area, the car then begins rocking and the scene is then accompanied by the games money decreasing.

-          The review board took this imagery to be a suggestion of sexual activity. Furthermore the ministers are concerned that games, because of their interactive nature may have greater impact and therefore greater potential for harm on young minds than films.   

HELP WANTED!

Photographer:
The job role of a photographer is to simply take photos, a professional photographer may be an employee, for example of a newspaper, or contracted by a company or an individual to cover a particular event such as a wedding or graduation, or to illustrate an advertisement. Others, including paparazzi and fine art photographers, are freelancers, first making a picture and then offering it for sale or display. Some workers, such as policemen, estate agents, journalists and scientists, make photographs as part of other work.
Photographers who produce moving rather than still pictures are often called cinematographers, videographers or camera operators, depending on the commercial context.


Photo editor: retouching
Photo retouching involves makes changes and alteration to images. Photo manipulation is the application of image editing techniques to photographs in order to create an illusion or deception (in contrast to mere enhancement or correction), through analog or digital means. Used widely by magazine companies, newspapers and even web services, the job role simply involving the enhancement or alteration of images.  
In digital editing, photographs are usually taken with a digital camera and input directly into a computer. With the advent of computers, graphics tablets, and digital cameras, the term image editing encompasses everything that can be done to a photo. Photo manipulation is often much more explicit than subtle alterations to color balance or contrast and may involve overlaying a head onto a different body or changing a sign's text, for example. Image editing software can be used to apply effects and warp an image until the desired result is achieved. The resulting image may have little or no resemblance to the original photo.  


Host: News presenter
A News presenter’s job role is to prepare and deliver news, sports, and/or weather reports (information), gathering and rewriting material so that it will convey required information and fit specific time slots. Read news flashes to inform audiences of important events. Identify stations, and introduce or close shows, using memorized or read scripts. News presenters can work in a radio studio, television studio and from remote broadcasts in the field especially weather forecasters.

Reporter:

A reporter is a type of journalist who researches and presents information in certain types of mass media, this maybe a newspaper article, magazine, television or internet. Reporter’s job role is to gather their information in a variety of ways, including tips, witnessing events and press releases. They may also perform research through interviews, public records and other sources. All this information is gathered in the pre-production stage.

The information gathering part of the job is sometimes called "reporting" as distinct from the production part of the job, such as writing articles. Reporters generally split their time between working in a newsroom and going out to witness events or interview people.

Courses/education: To qualify as a reporter you may need a university degree in journalism.

Courses available include a bachelor of Communications (Journalism) at RMIT University. Requirements needed to enter this course include:

-          A study score of at least 35 in unit 3 and 4 English

-     An interview (only if short listed)

Graphic designer:

A graphic designer is a professional within the graphic design industry who assembles together images or motion graphics to create a piece of design. A graphic designer job role is to creates a design depending on a client’s needs; this may be printed media such as brochures, billboards, logos or electronic media, in many times for advertising purposes. A graphic designer must firstly discuss the client’s ideas and proceed to develop the idea with research and various sketches and layouts. Ideas will then be presented to the client, he or she will decide and then a final piece will be published.   
If for advertising purposes a designer must make sure his/her design presents information in a way that is both accessible and memorable.

Courses/education:

To qualify as a graphic designer you must complete a university degree in graphic design. RMIT offers a bachelor of design (communication design) that qualifies you to work in design.  

Requirements to enter this course include:

-          A study score of at least 30 in unit 3 and 4 English.

-          Also, an interview may need to take place where students need to prepare to folio of their previous work.

FILM PRODUCTION ROLES

Producer:
The producer oversees the film project and tries to preserve the integrity, voice and vision of the film. They will also often take on some financial risk by using their own money, especially during the pre-production period, before a film is fully financed.
The producer is often actively involved throughout all major phases of the filmmaking process, from beginning and development to completion and delivery of a film project.
The producer role is to oversee the filmmaking process, which involves coordinating, supervising and controlling major aspects of the project. This also includes fundraising the hiring of key roles such as the casting director or film director. They will also have a strong influence in the hiring of other personal such as the UPM and line producer.

Film Editor:
The film editor is involved in the post-production process of filmmaking. It involves the selection and assembling of shots into sequences, and ultimately creating a finished motion picture. This maybe for a film or television show, the material they work with may consist of raw camera footage, dialogue, sound effects, graphics and special effects.
The editor may be part of a team and they will usually work closely with the director, as well as sound/musical directors to achieve the desired end result. This is a key role in the post-production process and the editor's skill can determine the quality and delivery of the final product.

Costume designer:

The costume designer is involved in the pre- production stage; the costume designer is a person whose responsibility is to design costumes for a film. They must work closely with the director and lighting designers. Their role is to design, plan and organise the costumes the actor will be wearing during filming.

Costume designers will typically seek to enhance a character's personality, depending on the character or time the film is set, the costume design will change; past or future the color, fabric or simply distorting and enhancing the body.

Lighting technician:

Lighting technicians are involved with rigging and controlling power supply and electric lights for art and entertainment venues (theater or live music venues) or in video, television, or film production. In video, television, and film productions, lighting technicians work under the direction of the cinematographer and gaffer.

Lighting technicians are responsible for the movement and set up of various pieces of lighting equipment for visual effects. Lighting Technicians may also lay electrical cables, wire fixtures, install color effects or image patterns, focus the lights, and assist in creating effects or programming sequences. Lighting technicians must pay great attention to detail in order to provide the correct mood setting for the intended scene.  

Camera operator:

The camera operator is responsible for physically operating the camera and maintaining composition and camera angles throughout a given scene or shot. The camera operator works with the Director and Director of photography, actors and crew to make technical and creative decisions.

Camera operators set up, position and operate equipment in studios or location to photograph people, events and scenes. They may check that lighting has been organised, view scenes through viewfinders, make final adjustments and shoot scenes. They monitor equipment during operation, and move cameras and adjust controls to follow the action of scenes being photographed. Camera operators usually begin work in pre-production; skills they must have would include choreographing and framing shots knowledge of and the ability to select appropriate camera lenses, and other equipment in order to portray dramatic scenes.  

JAWS

1.       Where did the idea for Jaws originate? How did it become a film? Who contributed to the screenplay? 

The movie was inspired by the novel Jaws which was written by Peter Benchley. Peter himself was inspired by a true event of a shark attack which took place in Portland, Steven Spielberg also made the connection to Duel one of the movies he had directed perversely.  

2.       Why were particular scenes removed from the film? 

The scenes were a man is being dragged meanwhile trying to save a young boy, he is torn from the torso as the shark pulls him into the water. This scene was removed because it was deemed to brutal and would be seen to be too violent.  

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? 

An idea which was originated was to have live footage of a shark attack; therefore filming of a Great white shark was shot in the sea of South Australia. The idea was to use a smaller cage and actor to make the shark look bigger, during filming a Great white got its head caught in the cage and began to twist and turn in a moment of panic.

But in the script there was to be a man in the cage during the attack, but in the footage which was taken the cage was empty. Therefore the script was changed in order to have live footage in the final product.      

4.       What was involved during the casting process?

Jaws the shark was seen as the main star of the film, therefore there was no need to cast any big acting stars. Meanwhile at a party Spielberg met Roy Scheider and introduced him to the role of the chief. Other people were suggested the actor which was seen to fit the character the best were asked to join the cast.

5.       What is location scouting? Why did Steven Spielberg choose the locations for the film? 

Location scouting is the process of researching, travelling and looking for different locations in which to film, many times for film productions.   

When the crew and Steven Spielberg were location scouting they decided to shot in a small resort in Massachusetts the reason behind this decision was that Steven Spielberg did not want to see land. He wanted them to feel “cut off”. By pointing the camera in a particular direction it created the illusion that the characters had nowhere to go and were forced to face the shark. By the coast not being visible it gave the audience the sense of entrapment. 

6.       Describe how actors contributed to the production of Jaws. 

 Simply actors try to make the characters feel realistic and believable, actors sometimes relate to the characters this can be of great help. Actors in the filming of Jaws were allowed to improvise on the script and add something of their own. For example the famous quote “we’re gonna need a bigger boat” was not in the script it was improvised on the spot by Roy Scheider.    

7.       What does a composer do? What considerations were taken into account when writing the music for Jaws? 

A composer is someone who writes and composes music pieces for television, theatre, radio, film ECT.  The composer’s job is to create pieces of music suitable for the project; for the movie Jaws the sound and music become a trade mark of the film. The music for a film must be carefully selected, the music must move with the story without overpowering a scene, it must create mood, feeling in the case of Jaws a sense of suspense and danger. It must draw the attention of the audience; in the film the music when the shark was attacking was made to sound alike with the heartbeat of the shark as he approaches its prey. The music ‘’bombom  bombom’’ which would start off slow and then speed up created the sense of danger as the shark closed into its prey.

John William created the soundtrack which becomes the representation of the shark, take note that for the movie Jaws the shark is not shown until the end of the film. The soundtrack is the reason why we know the shark is approaching. 

8.       What did Spielberg do as a result of test screenings? 

In a test screening of a scene the audience had little reason; Bed Gardner didn’t get the reaction he was looking for so he spent $3,000 of his own money in filming the scene again in order to create a more frightening scene. 

9.       What is a director of photography? How was the director of photography involved in the production of Jaws? 

A D.O.P also known as a cinematographer is one photographing with a motion picture camera. Responsible for achieving artistic and technical decisions related to the image, the cinematographer is the person who supervises the recording of a film.

The D.O.P for the movie Jaws suggested the idea to use the camera at water level, at the human’s point of view, he also suggested the use of handheld shots, which became used for the majority of the film, a technique which was extremely effective.

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

The editor is involved in the post-production process of filmmaking. It involves the selection and assembling of shots into sequences, and ultimately creating a finished motion picture. The editor may be part of a team and they will usually work closely with the director, as well as sound/musical directors to achieve the desired end result. Verna Fields was the editor for the movie Jaws, her responsibility was to work closely with Spielberg and edit “cut the film down”. Making sure that the final product was of quality.

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

The producer role is to oversee the filmmaking process, which involves coordinating, supervising and controlling major aspects of the project. The producer oversees the film project and tries to preserve the integrity, voice and vision of the film. The making of the film Jaws was extremely tense and frustrating at times it seemed to be a waste of effort, and at times Spielberg thought that his career of a producer would receive a blow because it seemed likely that the film would fail.     

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

Spielberg and his cast watched the final version of the film, this is where editors step in and finalised the film looking in case anything needed to be to added or cut from the film. During post production they arranged for distribution.   

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

Joe Alves the production designer for the film Jaws, would collaborate with the director throughout the film, together they were responsible for the overall look of the film.

14.   What role do you think you would have the skills to fulfil?

I personally feel that I would have the skills to fulfil the role of an Editor, I would have worked extremely hard on the selection and assembling of shots into sequences. I would have loved the chance of selecting scenes and working alongside with the sound and music composers.