Acting in Columbus Newsletter | July 2009: Technology and independent films today

Technology and independent films today

Photo: Greg Sabo on the Set of THE COURIER. Click here to see the Trailer.

The independent film scene's development in the 1990s and 2000s has been stimulated by a range of factors, including the development of affordable digital cinematography cameras that can rival 35 mm film quality and easy-to-use computer editing software.

Until the advent of digital alternatives, the cost of professional film equipment and stock was a major obstacle to independent filmmakers who wanted to make their own films. Studio quality filming typically required expensive lighting and post-production facilities. But the advent of consumer camcorders in 1985, and more importantly, the arrival of high-definition digital video in the early 1990s, have since lowered the technology barrier to movie production considerably. Both production and post-production costs have been significantly lowered; today, the hardware and software for post-production can be installed in a commodity-based personal computer.

Technologies such as DVD, FireWire connections and professional-level non-linear editing system software make movie-making relatively inexpensive.

Director Francis Ford Coppola, long an advocate of new technologies like non-linear editing and digital cameras, said in 2007 that "cinema is escaping being controlled by the financier, and that's a wonderful thing. You don't have to go hat-in-hand to some film distributor and say, 'Please will you let me make a movie?'

The July issue of the Acting in Columbus Newsletter offers a sampling of locally produced independent films. This issue just scratches the surface of the local "indie" scene. We will continue to report on more independent film projects and local filmmakers in future editions.

• Experience with the actual audition process: You'll work on-camera all day doing both prepared and cold readings, and receive plenty of feedback from instructor Richard Mason• Script analysis skills: We have written our own textbook that breaks this process down and makes it simple• Comfort in front of the camera: How do you stand? How do you hold the script? How do you deal with your partner and the camera at the same time? What is a slate? What do you do with your hands?• Practice at doing all types of commercials: Scene work, improv, one-liners, bite and smiles, handling products, etc.• How to get started: This is our "Intro to the World of Camera Acting" class. It includes our "How Does This Business Really Work?" Seminar. You will learn how to make the first contact with the agents, and all the follow-ups you will need to "Break In". You'll also learn how to market to the casting directors, all about pictures and resumes, how the unions work, etc.

By taking this class you have the opportunity to show the agents that you are serious about pursuing this type of work. It also allows them to be more confident in submitting you, because they know you'll be able to handle yourself in front of the camera. Being a good commercial actor requires many things, including strong acting skills, a solid work ethic, and lots of hard work. This class is a good first step toward acquiring those things and being successful. Enrollment in this workshop also includes three months of Career Management. This Workshop is limited to 12 students.

Audition. A formally arranged session (usually by appointment through an agent) for an actor to display his or her talents when seeking a role in an upcoming production of a play, film or television project.

Back to One! The verbal cue for performers to return to the mark where they started the scene.

Blocking. Working out the physical movements of performers and/or camera in a scene.

Boom. The apparatus that holds the microphone above the actor. Also, a camera direction when the camera is mounted on a crane as in "boom up," to raise the camera.

Breakdown. A listing of all roles in a production, from largest to smallest, with a description of each character including, for the smaller roles, how many scenes and lines the character has.

Best Boy. The assistant to the Chief Electrician, or Head Gaffer.Blocking. The actual physical movements by performers in any scene. Also can refer to the movements of the camera.

Booking. A firm commitment to a performer to do a specific job.

Blue Screen. Shooting in a studio against a large blue or green backdrop, which allows a background to be superimposed later on the final image.

Call. The exact time at which an actor or crew member is to report to a set.

Callback. A second audition where an actor is either presented to the producer and director or, in the case of commercials, is filmed on tape again for final consideration.

Camera Rehearsal. Also called a "walk-through," this is where actors will walk through their blocking so that the camera can rehearse its moves.

Cold read. Cold reading is a term used by actors in theatre, television, film, and performance fields. A cold reading is a reading out loud from a script/side without any rehearsal or study in advance. This is generally required in auditions and casting calls.

Continuity. A very important part of film making, this is the process of ensuring that the visual aspects of a production are consistent from one take to the next. The CONTINUITY person often takes Polaroid snapshots of principals and featured extras in order to check later for inconsistencies.

Demo Reel. This is a sample video tape (there are demo tapes for voiceover) of your previous work. Your demo real should display your versatility. When creating your demo, try and keep it short, up to 5 minutes of clips showing the many types of characters you can portray.

Extra. A non-speaking part, background or atmosphere. Extra work is a terrific way to begin your education in the film industry and resume preparation. Extras are generally paid to hang around in the background of a scene to make the shot more realistic. Sometimes extras get singled out to perform more than just background, perhaps you may get a speaking part or more on camera time.

Honey Wagon. The trailer or RV that contains dressing rooms and bathrooms for actors.Monologue. A speech used by an actor to demonstrate his or her ability at an audition.

Principle. This is what most actors are striving for, a main character in a project. One with lines, on camera time and better salary. A major part of the film or project.

Scene Study and Analysis. A pre-audition practice of studying a few pages of a script ahead of time.

Sides. Designated scenes pulled out of an entire script to be used for auditions.

Slate. The act of stating your name and agency on a commercial audition while being videotaped.

Talent. A term that refers to all ABOVE-THE-LINE personnel, but specifically to the actors. Sometimes this term is used by agents and casting directors to mean "actors."