Friday, April 15, 2016

5 Things You Likely Don't Know About Filming Movies

The realm of creating movies is like another world. There is a great deal involved in it, from costs to scouting and much more. People who work in the industry will tell you that it can be difficult and tiring, but rewarding at the end of the day. The behind the scenes bits are just as (or possibly more) exciting than the films themselves. Here are some interesting things that you should know about filming movies in Los Angeles.

Langton Mansion - All Pictures Media Film Locations

Production Costs


There is a lot that goes into production costs. It is advised that the budget for a film be 50 percent higher than the amount it will take to produce it, because that is what marketing the movie will cost. It's well worth it to spend money on putting ads on billboards, in magazines, and creating trailers that will go on the Internet, TV and radio. The fate of a movie is sealed within the first week of its release, making the few months preceding the release extremely important.

Success


Contrary to popular belief, no one in the industry can fully predict what films will be a hit or a miss. Something that is off the wall and different than the recent successes may end up being at the top of the box office charts, while a high production project with a leading star may not do so well. Every single movie is unique, and must be treated as such.

However, it is ideal to have at least one big name actor in the film, because people are much more likely to go see a movie that features someone with which they are familiar. Even if the other main characters are up-and-coming names, you can't go wrong with this model.



Investment Sources


Wall Street investors have been backing Hollywood for many years. Firms are able to package studio films and resell to investors, who are then able to make a profit of between 15 to 28 percent on average, depending on if the movie was a hit or not. Hedge funds even began to get put into such deals in the mid-2000's.

You may be surprised to learn that Avatar was made with 60 percent of its investment coming from outside investors. This made this expensive movie with grand CGI effects far less of a risk for the production team to film.

Fun Facts About Early Films


The first ever film animation was created in 1906. It's called “Humorous Phases of Funny Faces”, and it was made by J. Stuart Blacton. Film animations began to be popular with the introduction of Mickey Mouse (originally Mortimer Mouse) in 1927. The first full-length animated film came out in 1937 - “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs”. The longest movie, “The Cure for Insomnia”, has a run time of about 87 hours.

Style Changes


Up until the 1920's, movies were made using fairly basic formulas. Though there were many directors working for the several studios that were around at the time, it was not only the 1920's that they began to branch out into their own directing styles. During this decade, actors and actresses were noticed more and made to participate in publicity campaigns that limited their activities and behaviors, especially while out in the limelight.

The above facts should add to your interest in and appreciation of films produced in the LA area. If it makes you want to know even more, you can look to All Pictures Media for relevant information. Regardless of whether or not you intend to work in the film industry, it's a fun pastime to learn more about it.



Sunday, March 27, 2016

Finding the Right Filming Location for a Movie

There are several aspects that a film crew must keep in mind when it comes to where a movie will be filmed. The location should be ideal in all possible ways for the type of movie. The budget and scope of the film is the largest deciding factor determining the location. You most likely don't even think about how much effort is put into this whole process, when you are watching your favorite movies. Read on for a glimpse into what considerations go into choosing the perfect location for filming movies.

Gilded Hotel - All Pictures Media Film Locations


Looking for the Prime Spots


The first step is to figure out what you need for each scene of the film. The director will have a vision in mind, and it is up to the film crew to scope out filming locations, whether they are private or right out in public. This is something that can take up to several weeks, depending on how complex the movie is and how many different places are necessary to film. In many cases, multiple individuals weigh in on the decision. The people who undertake this task are known as “location scouts”. A scout can advance in the field, and become a “Location Manager” after they have a certain amount of experience.

The following are just some of the things that are considered when choosing a location:

  • Financial cost
  • Weather conditions and natural lighting
  • Overall aesthetic (how visually appealing is it?)
  • Availability of electrical power, or how feasible it would be to bring generators on-site
  • Availability of parking and facilities, in order to keep the crew, actors, and extras safe and dry
  • The logical feasibility, including how close it is to the studio
  • If it is possible to acquire permission from the local government, law enforcement, private owners, and neighbors to shoot at the location

Making a Final Decision


The Locations Department and Production team look over the potential options. For this step, it is important to have as many alternatives as possible, in case the preferred choice does not work out for some reason. There may be a great deal of back and forth between the two departments before the location is secured.

Gaining Permits


It is necessary to go through the appropriate channels for permission to utilize the space that is desired, whether that is private owners or the government. This is known as “clearing the location”, and may take several steps. Paperwork must be drawn up and completed before anyone from the film crew begins shooting any scenes, and fees may have to be paid at this time. This is the point when an entertainment lawyer would assist with handling all of the legal formalities, to ensure that there will be no trouble at a later time. Once the team is ready to go, any delays (especially legal) can be frustrating and quite costly.

In the case of a private residence or property, the scout or manager should have proper identification such as a business card and state I.D. on hand. The individual or family can be wary of a stranger coming to their door to ask about using their home or property for a film location. The professional should be courteous, friendly, and state his or her business right away. If the owner seems interested, the scout or manager can set up a formal meeting with representatives for the movie to discuss what would happen and any details to finalize the deal. It is important to have a location release and a shooting permit in this instance.

Scheduling


Filming a movie means long days and nights. Most of the time, nearly everyone is on location for at least 10-14 hours each day, for several days in a row. The pressure is on, and sometimes this can mean waiting around and conducting many takes for the optimal shot. The area may be blocked off, if it is a public space. Sometimes, it is filmed during a slow period at that location, like 5 AM or late in the evening. For private residences, everyone does their best to minimize noise and any other inconveniences for the owner(s) and neighbors. For any scenes that are filmed at locations outside of the studio, it is ideal to work as fast and efficiently as possible.