Film Production Lab
In the Film Production Lab, participants will work as a group to make a short film, with each participant having the option to specialize in one element of film production. While collaborating with fellow participants on their film, they will learn valuable lessons in script workshopping, pre production, casting and auditions, shot listing and location scouting, and technical skills from camera to sound.
The Production Lab intensive provides students the opportunity to develop a group film under the guidance of our knowledgeable and accomplished mentors. A script will be chosen from a collection of short scripts.
Pre-production responsibilities, including script breakdowns, scheduling auditions, location scouting, and shot listing, will be divided among the group. Participants will be responsible for completing their tasks and sharing results with the group.
During production, participants may elect to focus on a single department – camera, sound, lighting, set design, etc. – or rotate through departments to experience them all.
Film Production Lab
Film Lab Fellows Program
Production Management
Handling production with a system.
Film production and television shows depend upon the contributions of more than just the writers, director, and actors. They also require the talents of a production team of hard working behind the scenes crewmembers. One of the most important positions on any film set is the production manager.
A film production is the type of system in which many separate yet coordinated activities converge into a single process with the intended goal of delivering a finished film or video on deadline. Production management consists of managing the work, tasks, logistics and processes that contribute to the successful completion of a movie. Normally, a film production process has three stages: pre-production, production and post-production.
Production Design
Visual elements of the film.
Production design is the creation and organization of the physical world surrounding a film story. The term was coined by producer David O. Selznick (1902–1965) to describe the greater-than-normal contribution of designer William Cameron Menzies (1896–1957) to Gone with the Wind (1939). Production design includes all the visual elements that make up the concept of a theater production, television program, or film.
‘The goal of a production designer is to immerse you in the world they have created. That’s the magic of production design, creating the world you see and making you believe the unbelievable.’
By having a strong understanding of a film’s production design, viewers can easily find themselves lost in the world of the film, feeling like they too are a character in the story they are watching before them on screen. These filmic elements help generate the world of the film by establishing a sense of time and space as well as helping to create a mood within the world.
Without these visual elements, viewers would be left relying too heavily on what the characters say while unable to connect their words with actions within a particular setting.
Cinematography
Planning to Principal Photography.
Cinematography is the art of photography and visual storytelling in a motion picture or television show. Cinematography comprises all on-screen visual elements, including lighting, framing, composition, camera motion, camera angles, film selection, lens choices, depth of field, zoom, focus, color, exposure, and filtration.
Cinematography sets and supports the overall look and mood of a film’s visual narrative. Each visual element that appears on screen, a.k.a. the mise-en-scène of a film can serve and enhance the story—so it is the cinematographer’s responsibility to ensure that every element is cohesive and supports the story.
Cinematography is also defined as “the art or technique of motion-picture photography.” Being a technical area, we do not want to put a simple formula in place.
The director, being the chief creative person for a movie, is in charge of the cinematography with the director of photography or the cinematographer being in charge of the actual camera, lighting, and electrical crews.
Director of photography (DP) as being “in charge of the actual image of a film project. They direct the camera/grip/lighting crews as to how the lights should be placed, how the camera should be exposed, and basically anything related to the film image. They will also choose the film stock and processing for the film. Many times the DP will be present during color timing as well. The DP works very closely with the Director to realize his vision of how the film should look.”
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Film Production Lab Fellows
Develop your style for your film and create your system in realizing your film by understanding the processes and roles in film production.
Production Crew
Understand the roles and processes in film productions.
Creating a System
Aside from communication- structure is key in film production.
Mentorship
Be inspired and learn from award-winning mentors from the regions.
Collaborations
Realize your vision through local collaborations.
Application Form
Available Soon.
CoVid-19 Protocols
Notices and Advisories
Due to the epidemic of Covid-19 and any possible mutation of it, we draw your attention to the fact that Danum Film Lab may have to cancel the physical workshop(s) or to postpone it to another date for responding to the recommendations of health and government organizations. In such a case, Danum Film Lab organizers will notify the participants of its decision without delay. In case of cancellation, the sessions will be held online.