So as noted here before, and it's a pretty big distinction for how films are crewed and scheduled at The Film School and in the real world, jobs are classified as Above-the-Line (ATL) and Below-The-Line (BTL). It's not too hard to remember the difference. Writers,...
Film School
What We Watch
Each semester we have a Film Genres class which is basically a screening of a film selected by a different faculty member each week. The following is an incomplete list of the films we watched (I can't remember all the films) with some links to the complete film,...
My Life For The Next Two Years
I know I poorly explained the film projects we make during our film school experience before, but I think I have a better idea of how everything fits into the next two years (my class, the first year BFAs, graduate Fall 2008). F1 - Fall 06 - These are done, as I've...
The Story So Far
Welcome to Coffee and Celluloid, a blog dedicated to the fine craft of filmmaking from the point of view of a film school student. I realize I just jumped into the action, so it's about time for a recap of the story so far. I'm a first year in film school -- one of...
No Communication is a Bad Thing
I'm Second Assistant Director (2AD) right now. This is my last ATL job and second to last thesis show. I wouldn't call this show a disaster...yet. The main problem is lack of communication. The UPM and I have been kept in the dark about what's going on from the...
Steadicam – Set Anatomy
The Steadicam sled supported by a C-stand. This is where the Steadicam is built, balanced, and attached to the operator.
The Arri SRII – Set Anatomy
The Arri SRII on the English Vinten head with Zeiss zoom, operated by the Director of Photography.
Flats – Set Anatomy
Flats, or fake walls. These flats have little holes in them for a lighting effect, which is why many lights are pointing at the backs of them. From left to right, the lights are a 1k soft, 2k soft, and 1k soft.
Spaceship Set – Set Anatomy
All of these flats and the floor are made from 4x8 sheets of dry erase boards. The two red marks on the kiosk are for motion tracking for some monitors that will be added in post. Baby Cools and Tweenies are suspended above the flats for lighting.