Description of Film Post-Production

In film making, post-production jobs refer to activities that take place after the movie has been shot. At this point, the director must shape thousands of hours of footage into a logically sequenced movie with sound effects, music, title graphics and all of the other elements moviegoers expect. Post-production crew members learn their craft at film schools or through apprenticeships. First jobs are often without pay, but any role on a post production crew offers valuable contacts and work experience.

Film Editor

It’s the editor’s job to help the director make sense of the thousands of hours of footage shot on location, as explained by Film Reference. Scenes are almost always shot out of sequence, so the story must be edited to fit the director’s idea of chronology. Decisions must be made as to which of each scene’s multiple takes and camera angles will be used, and what must be scrapped. The film editor completes a rough cut, which is basically the film’s first draft edit, but much more work will be done. In the past, film was physically cut and spliced, which is how actors and scenes could end up “on the cutting room floor.” But today most editors digitize the footage and use movie editing software in post production work in film.

Sound Editor

In film, post production jobs include sound editors who are responsible for all audio that must be added after filming wraps. For example, the automatic dialogue replacement (ADR) recordist works with the film’s actors to replace unusable dialogue. No matter how sensitive or well-placed the microphones are during shooting, some dialogue ends up garbled; or the scene is shot from such a distance that microphones prove useless, explains the No Film School. In other cases, “looping” is used to replace certain words with milder dialogue when edited for television. The foley artist works with the sound effects editor to create effects as mundane as the slamming of doors or as inventive as the snarl of an alien. All sound editors work under the direction of the supervising sound editor.

Music Composer

One of the final steps in production is the scoring of the film. The composer receives a rough cut and writes original music that fits the plot, each scene’s mood and the director’s intentions. John Williams’ score for the Star Wars saga is a prime example of a music composer adding an important dimension to film production. Composer Rob Jaret suggests that the music composer should play a role throughout the creative process, which reduces post-production time and results in a more cohesive quality product.

Post-Production Supervisor

The head of post production jobs is known as the post-production supervisor. This individual acts as a liaison between the director and the various post-production crews. In some cases, the post-production supervisor might also help the director select staff to help with editing, sound effects and musical scoring. This job also involves being the primary contact with the film lab and other vendors during the later stages of film production. Other duties include monitoring the post-production budget and keeping the process moving on schedule.

Pre-Production

During pre-production, filmmakers coordinate with all the other relevant parties to make sure that everything is in order for shooting. Shooting locations are selected, rehearsals are held, props are purchased, and the shooting schedule is established. The purpose of this stage is to prepare as thoroughly as possible for the actual shooting of the movie.

Production

The production phase is when the film is actually shot. Filmmakers closely oversee this process, coaching the actors and the crew and making sure that everything is done according to budget, schedule and the intended style of the film. During production, filmmakers actively manage the set, ensuring that the shots are taken properly.

Post-Production

In post-production, filmmakers oversee the process of editing the raw footage into a coherent whole. The film gets touched up here in many ways, such as visual editing and the addition of music and other effects. The filmmakers essentially manage the technical crew during this stage and work with them to create the desired finished product.

2016 Salary Information for Producers and Directors

Producers and directors earned a median annual salary of $70,950 in 2016, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. On the low end, producers and directors earned a 25th percentile salary of $46,660, meaning 75 percent earned more than this amount. The 75th percentile salary is $112,820, meaning 25 percent earn more. In 2016, 134,700 people were employed in the U.S. as producers and directors.

Your Future

What does this course lead to?

Graduates can expect to pursue jobs in many areas of the TV and film post-production industry. Entry level jobs can include edit assistant, junior editor, or runner. From here, graduates can progress to roles such as picture editor, sound editor, dubbing mixer, grader, colourist, or facilities manager.

Who is this course for?

This course is ideal for anyone wishing to pursue a career in post-production. Candidates should have a first or second class degree in a related discipline. The programme would also suit those already working in the industry with relevant experience, looking to build on their existing knowledge and skills.

Fees and Costs

Tuition fees:

UK, EU and Channel Island full-time fees: £8,700

International full-time fees: £14,300

Visa Show Money: £ 9208

Visa Charges: £ 348

Immigration Health Surcharge Charges: £ 470 / (12 months) + £ 235 (1- 6 months)

Optional costs:

Students are advised to purchase their own portable hard disk storage device at cost of around £100

Please Note: Check the latest Visa, Show Money & IHS charges on https://www.gov.uk/ before applying at UKVFS for Visa.

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