It seems that you want to become a real actor/actress. The first step is, obviously, to learn about what actors do. Follow this link, read the information, answer the questions on your Actor/Actress File and come back to follow with your personal tour!
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Now you know more about what actors and actresses do, you are ready to learn about how they film scenes.
Filming a scene
1. Pre-production phase
During this phase, you have to memorise your lines and rehearse them with the correct pronunciation and intonation. You have also to rehearse how to show emotions with your body and your facial gestures.The rest of the film crew will tell you what to do, what to wear, how to move...
In a normal film, that would be all your job. But this is a zero budget film, so you will have to help the Production Designer with his job during this phase. S/he will tell you what to do.
You will have to create a written record of your work: comments on the script with the director's advice, a description of your costume and anything you think it is important to be included.
In a normal film, that would be all your job. But this is a zero budget film, so you will have to help the Production Designer with his job during this phase. S/he will tell you what to do.
You will have to create a written record of your work: comments on the script with the director's advice, a description of your costume and anything you think it is important to be included.
2. Production phase
The day of the shoot, you walk onto the sound stage (or location) prepared to begin filming. The set has been constructed before by a group of people known as the "swing gang."The director tells you exactly where to stand and where to move. Every time you stop someone places a piece of tape on the floor. The camera follows you slowly. You rehearse the scene with the director. Once. Twice. The times he or she considers necessary. Then the director says, "Let's go for a take. Quiet on the set!"
The actor/actress who appears in the scene with you moves to his position, too.
"Roll it," says the director. The director of photography says, "Rolling."
"Thirty-five, take one", says the production designer, holding a slate in front of the actors' faces and snapping it shut. This "clacker" will later help the film editor in synchronizing the picture to the sound.
"Action!" commands the director, and you start acting.
Seconds later, the director calls out, "Cut. Do it again." The process is repeated until the director yells, "Cut. Print it." The production designer moves into the scene and adjusts the actors' makeup. The director now wants a close-up shot and the cameraman films several takes until the director is satisfied with each one.
Finally, he calls out, "That's a wrap." It means that the scene can be edited, and your work has finished. However, the Director or the Director of Photography may need your help during the post-production phase
Now you are prepared to share your information with your group and start filming!
