A brilliant idea for a film or TV show is nothing if not executed correctly and brought to life by the production crew. Having an experienced behind-the-scenes production crew, who is up to date with the latest production trends is essential in the success of a film or TV show. The choice of lighting, sounds, wardrobes, hair and make-up and camera usage is left up to them to make the production realistic and engross the audience. It can be a daunting thought, but with The Michael Group by your side, it doesn’t have to be.
Lighting is an aspect that cannot be overlooked. What the human eye sees in real life and what a camera is able to capture, differ greatly. For this reason, additional lighting is needed to make the film or TV show, and our experience of the end result, as real as possible. Lighting has the ability to create different moods for a scene- dark and dramatic or light and enchanting. The lighting, if done right the first time, can save a lot of time during the editing process. It helps turn the director’s vision into a reality by contributing something positive to the other aspects of the film or TV show and adding to the overall quality of the end product.
There are three types of sounds that contribute to the authenticity of a production: human voices, music and sound effects. These sounds influence the way that the film or show is received by the audience, creating aesthetics and emotional responses. For sound to be effective, and the actions being performed realistic, the two need to be perfectly in sync with one another. It is also necessary to remove any unwanted, background noises, such as external, computer or air-conditioner noises, that may affect the quality of the sound. With that being said, there is an art to adding background noise that gives a more realistic feel, such as the typical sounds of a city.
Too little emphasis is placed on how much time, effort and skill goes into putting the correct wardrobe together. Given that our brain processes visual information 60 000 times faster than it does audio or text, important clues about the characters life and personality need to be obvious in their outfit. The wardrobe defines the character and supports the role that they are playing. In a way, the wardrobe can be seen as a language through which culturally known clues, symbols and clichés about the character can be expressed for the audience.
The hair and make-up work together with the wardrobe to create a complete look and feel of the character being portrayed on screen. Make-up allows what is being seen on screen to be more realistic. Imagine an action-packed film where there are no cuts or bruises, or a vampire series with no pale complexions? The film or TV show would be extremely unrealistic and not as enjoyable. Make-up is also used to even out skin-tone that has been distorted by the different lighting being used during shooting. The hairstyle of the character is determined by the period the film or show is set in. Similarly, to clothes, hairstyles change with the decades so the hairstyle and wardrobe of the character should give a good representation of this period.
Last but not least, be they big or small, the camera crew is responsible for the actual filming. Comprised of different people responsible for different jobs, together they work to achieve the director’s vision. From deciding on the correct camera lenses, filters and settings, to capturing the correct lighting, framing and angle. The camera crew play an essential role in bringing the story to life and making it a success.
The above all contribute to the authenticity and overall quality of a production. Filming is very stressful, so it is important to have an experienced production team, who you trust will bring your vision to life. For help bringing your project to life, or questions on what steps to take next, contact The Michael Group – we’ll be happy to help.
