Edward Foster

#Heretotalkaboutfilm. #Highlight; Responsibilities As A Second Assistant Director (Part 2). In yesterday’s exploration of the film industry, we delved into the crucial role of the 3FirstAssistantDirector, or 1st AD. Continuing our journey through the hierarchy of filmmaking, we now turn our attention to the indispensable role of the #SecondAssistantDirector, or 2nd AD. 1. Organizing Daily Call Sheets; One of the primary responsibilities of the 2nd AD is organizing the daily call sheets. These documents outline the next day’s shooting schedule and must be distributed to all departments involved in the production. 3. Coordinating The Cast; When it's time to film a sequence, the 2nd AD works closely with actors and extras to ensure everyone is on set and camera-ready. This involves effective communication and coordination to maintain the flow of production. 4. Directing Extras; Extras, or background actors, are often under the direction of the 2nd AD (or 3rd AD on larger sets). They are responsible for cueing and pre-directing the actions of extras, especially during lengthy scenes, to enhance the overall production. 5. Facilitating Security; Maintaining security on set is crucial for the safety and privacy of the cast and crew. The 2nd AD works with security personnel to ensure spectators are kept away from filming areas and handles any security-related issues that may arise during production. Skills And Qualifications While formal education is not a requirement, successful ADs possess a range of skills including multitasking, communication, planning, organization, and attention to detail. Many gain experience through roles such as runners or production assistants, acquiring knowledge of how movie sets operate and the various departments involved. A Stepping Stone to Directing For those aspiring to direct their own projects, working as an AD can be a valuable stepping stone. It provides insight into the intricacies of production management and offers opportunities to learn from experienced filmmakers. In conclusion, the Second Assistant Director plays a vital role in the smooth operation of a film production. From organizing schedules to coordinating the cast and ensuring security, their contributions are essential to bringing a director's vision to life on screen. #makai_ivan #actor #writer #director #producer #wandacinemaworld Netflix Showmax CANAL+ Group MultiChoice Group The Walt Disney Company Netstudios Africa Prime Video & Amazon Studios

4

68% of film and TV workers are currently without work and the number of people planning to leave the industry is rising... In a survey last September, Bectu (Broadcasting, Entertainment, Communications and Theatre Union) found 80% of the film and TV workforce had been directly impacted by last year’s SAG-AFTRA industrial action in the US. In February, they conducted another survey to see if things had improved but found that more than two-thirds of respondents are still out of work and it's the industry’s freelance workforce that is bearing the brunt. In this article, Mike Thornton shares the shocking statistics from the survey and the recommendations Bectu makes...

16

Interesting to see new studio, Story Works launching in south-west London -Exciting times ahead for the UK film industry! As a black-owned PR agency, we're eager to share our perspective on the booming opportunities in unit work within this dynamic landscape. The UK has become a hotspot for Hollywood productions, thanks to its stellar locations, seasoned crews, and enticing incentives. With a staggering £6.27bn spent on high-end TV and film productions in 2022 alone, the demand for skilled professionals has never been higher. Despite challenges posed by the pandemic, including the US Sag-Aftra actors' strike and reduced spending by streaming giants like Disney and Netflix, the industry has shown remarkable resilience. This resilience is bolstered by ongoing government support, such as increased tax relief for independent films, ensuring sustained growth in the sector. At VAMP we're keen to leverage our expertise and network to capitalise on the burgeoning opportunities in unit work. Let's collaborate and contribute to the continued success and diversity of the UK film industry! #UKFilmIndustry #DiversityInFilm #UnitWorkOpportunities

15

🌟 I am thrilled to announce that I will be delivering two intensive Introduction to TV Production Management training courses on a 1:2:1 basis for two clients this week! 🌟 These bespoke sessions are designed to provide a deep dive into the essentials of production management, tailored specifically to the needs of my clients. 📝 Training Highlights: Comprehensive overview of production coordinator and manager roles Detailed insights into scheduling, budgeting, and risk assessments Practical advice on call sheets, Silvermouse, and post-production paperwork Guidance on international filming and sustainability with Albert Personalized support for writing effective cover letters and CVs Exclusive tips on where to find job opportunities in production management These tailored sessions aim to empower my clients with the knowledge and skills needed to excel in the dynamic world of TV and film production. 🎯 Why Choose 1:2:1 Training? Personalized attention and feedback Customized content to address specific needs Flexible scheduling to fit busy timetables I am passionate about helping industry professionals achieve their career goals and navigate the complexities of production management with confidence. 📅 Interested in One-to-One Training? If you're looking to enhance your production management skills through personalized, intensive training, get in touch! Let's work together to elevate your career. #ProductionManagement #IntensiveTraining #FilmIndustry #CareerDevelopment #TVandFilm https://lnkd.in/enCUch5B

16

The Music Industry’s Growing Mental Health Crisis With all the front page news about how terrible Ingrid Andress's rendition of The Star Spangled Banner was, and for all the mocking, there is a deeper more uncomfortable conversation to be had. You see, Andress confessed that she was drunk during her performance and is seeking rehab. We applaud her honesty and bravery, and lament that her rock bottom had to be on national television. For most of us, the rock bottom won't be on television, but it will hurt just the same. The recovery will be even more difficult. But we wish her well and we hope for her success in recovery. As creators, we need to recognize the deeper conversation and seek self-care and self-help just like anyone else in any industry. We need to support each other and help each other. Resources exist. Read the article and see the helpline directory at the bottom of the article if you or someone you care about needs help. We are all in this together. https://lnkd.in/gwpJQaCf

2

If you need insight on TV Production, here’s your source!

1

#Heretotalkaboutfilm. #Highlight; Responsibilities As A Second Assistant Director (Part 2). In yesterday’s exploration of the film industry, we delved into the crucial role of the 3FirstAssistantDirector, or 1st AD. Continuing our journey through the hierarchy of filmmaking, we now turn our attention to the indispensable role of the #SecondAssistantDirector, or 2nd AD. 1. Organizing Daily Call Sheets; One of the primary responsibilities of the 2nd AD is organizing the daily call sheets. These documents outline the next day’s shooting schedule and must be distributed to all departments involved in the production. 3. Coordinating The Cast; When it's time to film a sequence, the 2nd AD works closely with actors and extras to ensure everyone is on set and camera-ready. This involves effective communication and coordination to maintain the flow of production. 4. Directing Extras; Extras, or background actors, are often under the direction of the 2nd AD (or 3rd AD on larger sets). They are responsible for cueing and pre-directing the actions of extras, especially during lengthy scenes, to enhance the overall production. 5. Facilitating Security; Maintaining security on set is crucial for the safety and privacy of the cast and crew. The 2nd AD works with security personnel to ensure spectators are kept away from filming areas and handles any security-related issues that may arise during production. Skills And Qualifications While formal education is not a requirement, successful ADs possess a range of skills including multitasking, communication, planning, organization, and attention to detail. Many gain experience through roles such as runners or production assistants, acquiring knowledge of how movie sets operate and the various departments involved. A Stepping Stone to Directing For those aspiring to direct their own projects, working as an AD can be a valuable stepping stone. It provides insight into the intricacies of production management and offers opportunities to learn from experienced filmmakers. In conclusion, the Second Assistant Director plays a vital role in the smooth operation of a film production. From organizing schedules to coordinating the cast and ensuring security, their contributions are essential to bringing a director's vision to life on screen. #makai_ivan #actor #writer #director #producer #wandacinemaworld Netflix Showmax CANAL+ Group MultiChoice Group The Walt Disney Company Netstudios Africa Prime Video & Amazon Studios

2

What actually is TAP? (Apart from some funky dancing shoes 🕺👞🎶) TAP (The TV Access Project) is a commitment made by the UK's top broadcasters and streamers to make the film & TV industry fully accessible for deaf, disabled and neurodivergent (DDN) people. To reach TAP's target of full inclusion in TV by 2030, they've developed a set of guidelines for the industry to use as standard practice: ✨ The 5As ✨ 🚀 Anticipate → Expecting to regularly work with DDN people and proactively including them in the hiring process 🚀Ask → Sensitively asking every cast and crew member about their access needs as a standard (and regularly checking in afterwards) 🚀 Assess → Reflecting on how accessible your current policies, processes and spaces are as a whole (not just when you know you're working with a DDN person!) 🚀 Adjust → Accommodating any reasonable adjustments consistently and ahead of time, across the whole of a cast or crew member's time on a production 🚀 Advocate → Championing DDN talent for the value they bring onto a production and actively working to be better allies It's going to take a team effort to make the screen industries fully accessible - but these guidelines are a great starting point 🌱 What are your thoughts on TAP and the 5As guidelines? #TVProduction #TAP #DEI #Accessibility

14

3 Comments

My prediction on how this years elections will signal a new era in audience first broadcasting I believe this is the election year where every broadcaster will be vying to showcase the sentiment of the UK. With the UK election date scheduled for 4th of July, plans are now being kicked into action to capture the attention of the nation through their coverage. Here’s some of the ingredients with how I think it should play out to keep the attention span: 1. Real-Time HTML Graphics: Using HTML graphics with real-time data is crucial for keeping the audience engaged. This approach provides up-to-the-minute updates and visual excitement. 2. Interactive Polls: Running live polls allows the viewing public to predict election outcomes, transforming passive viewers into interactive participants. This not only engages the audience but also makes them feel part of the unfolding story. 3. Audience Participation: Engaging the audience with real-time feedback and interaction turns a standard broadcast into an immersive experience. Viewers become part of the conversation, enhancing their connection to the coverage. The future of election coverage is here, I’ll be keeping a close eye on how the broadcasters roll out their plans! #broadcast #election #streaming

29

Avo training... get your Avo training here! Get brushed up on your Avo skills in the North(ish) East!

4

1 Comment

How its still managing to fly by and be acceptable in this day in age? Doesn't the change largely start with recruiters and HR getting more women into the jobs? I get that ultimately the team in-house makes calls so if its a group of the "good ol' boys club", story told. It's a cycle; those who are in, stay in. But then again, aren't HR people held to hiring, giving promotions, etc. in non-discriminatory ways? I remember studying HR as part of my bachelor's in Business and we actually had to consider if people were equally qualified that there was also an even distribution of race, gender, etc. So I don't know how a business can operate outside of typical HR best practices. Let's just recap for all the music companies out there saying they are equal opportunity employers, what are the rules: https://lnkd.in/gB8Y7tWU. So if the good ol' boys club makes an appearance, why is the HR Department not calling them out? Obviously, I am not an HR professional and don't know all the ins and outs, but something seems more than off here. I am also tired of the fake PR. "We are more than happy to take a shot of women who work for us and post on social for National Woman's Day" but then behind closed doors, those same women are getting paid less and don't have a seat at the table. That social post doesn't mean a whole lot if one can't back it up.

3

Things on your film & TV CV that will get it thrown straight in the 🗑️😬 (And how to fix it before you press 'send'!) ❌ Listing yourself as a 'Director' or 'Producer' straight out of graduation ✅ Use the ScreenSkills 'career maps' to find the right entry-level role you should be listing yourself as for the department you want to work in ❌ Incorrect file naming ✅ Your CV's as good as lost if the employer can't easily search for you when they need you, stick to: "NAME - JOB ROLE - YEAR" ❌ Confusing layout/design (too much white space, not enough, colours...) ✅ Employers spend an average of 5 seconds looking at your CV - make it simple for them! The TV: Runners Facebook group is a good place for inspo ❌ Poor spelling/grammar ✅ If you struggle with this, download Grammarly or ask a friend/family member to check it over ❌ No GDPR statement ✅ Employers are legally required to delete your CV if you don't include this! At the bottom, write "GDPR Statement: This CV may be kept on file and distributed for employment purposes" Feel free to share your own CV tips below! 📝🤓 #HETV #TVProduction #ProductionAssistant #CVTips

735

74 Comments

THE MAGIC OF THE HUMAN TOUCH I recently went to the theatre with my wife to see Moulin Rouge and was blown away by everything about it. The staging, the music, the dancers—they were everywhere, literally all around the theatre. I don't think I blinked until the interval, and I was on my feet at the end with every other person in there as the final song played and performers continued in character. It was like we were at the Moulin Rouge itself. It was SPECTACULAR. And it got me thinking... AI can't touch this. As a content maker, artificial intelligence has dominated discussion in my industry for some time now. However, it can still be hard to make sense of what it is capable of and what impact it can and will have. Of course, many concerns remain, and they will continue until we, individually or as businesses, work out the best way to implement it into our lives. Beyond script writing, voice cloning, and image-generating software, AI edit software also changes how we film. Post-production software now exists that allows us to change an actor or contributor's line or even build entire scenes around them. Of course, we've already been doing this for many years thanks to Green Screen technology. Still, with innovative AI edit software, we don't even need a Green Screen for much of it, and we can save massive amounts of money on location costs and lower our carbon footprint in the process. But will the idea of more and more AI-generated content reduce our enjoyment of it? Will it remove our emotional connection to it and, therefore, its impact on us? OK, so when it comes to the movies, we're already used to a great deal of artificially enhanced content, and the same goes for most commercials. But how will we feel about nature shows being AI-generated? Or soap operas where the characters are 100% human avatars? At what point does content being 'real' matter? As the world slowly accepts and integrates AI into our content and we wrestle with its effect on its authenticity (as producers and viewers), live performance is a form of creativity and performance that stands on its own, unchallenged and unreplicated. It's a testament to human beings' raw talent, presented in the most genuine and unfiltered way possible. It's an experience that AI, for all its advancements, simply cannot and will not ever replicate (until we're all replaced by robots, of course). Live performance is the one thing that remains uniquely human. It's a treasure that we should cherish for ourselves and insist the younger generation, in particular, should not ignore—a performance that occurs right there in front of them and not just through a screen (should we be able to stop them from filming it on their phones). So, as we welcome AI into our lives, remember the magic of the human touch. #AI #creativity #liveperformance

1

1 Comment

Depressing fact: the UK creative industries lack diverse and working-class talent. Research released by the Creative Industries Policy and Evidence Centre last month shows just 8% of film, TV and radio industry professionals come from working-class backgrounds. That's compared to over 60% of culture and arts workers from middle-class backgrounds—the largest class divide seen in a decade. Three reasons why this is happening: Fewer entry points: Initiatives like Channel 4’s Random Acts and the BFI’s First Light project once helped newcomers break into the industry. Their cancellation has closed off important entry routes. Less funding: Money for new talent has become scarce, meaning many rely on independent trusts or wealthy donors to get started. Job cuts: Recent job losses and cuts across the industry, like those announced by ITV and Amazon’s Prime Video, make it even tougher for underrepresented groups to build and sustain careers. As one of the few female leaders of a production company operating in the Middle East and the UK, I know all about the barriers that underrepresented groups face in the industry. Surely we need to be doing all we can to attract diverse perspectives to our sector? If we continue down this path, the stories we tell won't exactly reflect the wider human experience—they'll only resonate with the select few. #FilmIndustry #WomenInFilm #DiversityAndInclusion #VideoProduction #FilmMaking #208Films

46

2 Comments