Digital SLR Video and Filmmaking For Dummies

18

Roles in the Filmmaking Process

In This Chapter

Learning the jobs behind the closing credits

Investigating what each job on a movie entails

Understanding how to work together

The movie just ended, and the credits are rolling and rolling. For a moment you’re eyes rove the screen in wonder. “What do all these people do?” Some jobs, you have no idea what they are. Others, you may think you know, but really don’t.

For example, if you were to call central casting and request an iconic-looking, old-time film director, in no time, you’d have a room full of guys with berets looking through a hand frame made from their touching thumbs and stretched forefingers. They’d be waiting patiently right alongside some cops with Irish brogues and prisoners wearing black and white striped-jumpsuits and matching caps.

These are obviously typecasts: Not all cops sound like the Lucky Charms guy, prisoners don’t carry around a ball and chain, and movie directors look pretty ordinary, with the exception of always wearing a baseball cap.

That’s what makes a casting director so important. It’s their ...