logistics

Logistics: complex process of organising resources for production, ensuring all personnel, props, equipment and locations are in the right place at the right time, especially on big productions like a major film, which will also involve doing a recce. Poor planning leads to high costs. 

Includes:

• Personnel and hiring
• Props
• Production equipment
• Locations
• Transportation
• Care on location (catering)

The production needs to get the resources for the right time and for the best value possible.

Location scout: someone who visits different locations to find a suitable one for the film, they will decide this depending on the availability, suitability and price of the location. It has to work for the scene.

Location manager: deal with all the legal and logistical aspects of the location.

Potential logistical issues for a big production like endgame:

For example, if the scene takes place in Italy but there is a town in Greece which looks similar then they might go here as it works and might be cheaper/ easier to get to.

For the home of Thor in Avengers they filmed in Scotland despite the fact the character lived in Norway, this was more practical. Government approval was easy (good for tourism), small enough that they could entirely take over the land for a period of time, near Edinburgh (airport and accommodation for the cast and crew)  

Transporting equipment can lead to an import tariff.

Other option is to rent equipment locally, this could be cheaper.

You can also hire local staff which can be cheaper as you don't need to fly them over and provide them with accommodation during the project.

When on location, the local community must be cared for. For example, hiring locals as extras, hiring local businesses for catering, made donations and meeting the stars (care).

Logistics documents:

Daily planner/ call sheet: ensures everyone knows what the goals are for the day and where they're based. What each individuals role is. This is helpful because it clarifies the goals for the day and everyone will be on the same page. Lists all the resources and logistical details as well as creative aims.

Call sheet includes: Location details, crew details, health and safety hazards, transport schedule, filming schedule, Equipment, facilities, Contingencies

Permission forms:

• Used to gain permission for various resources and personnel.
• Examples: also clearance forms for permission to use copyrighted audio or video
• Individual release forms; individuals working on a project must sign over the rights to their work and/or intellectual property. Often in an employment contract. 
• Consent form; everyone appearing in a production- actors, employed for the project or members of the public in the background. If under 18 , it's signed by the parent/guardian.
• Location form; to acquire permission to access a space and for it to appear on camera. Some buildings are subject to copyright law, which makes this form even more important.

Asset log, recces, set design:
Lists all the things considered an asset to the team: videos, images, sound, typography designs and any other element of style or content. Covers content produced by the production company and obtained from other sources and allows the tracking of copyright issues and permissions.

Contains: what the asset is, what the asset contains and the permission details.

Recces: Conducted at the same time as risk assessment and judges the suitability of a location for production- multiple are carried out to decide.

Will consider: does it meet the creative vision and what are the logistical issues.

Set design: a visual design of how the set will look including background and props in as much detail as possible as either 2D or 3D sketch or design produced by imaging software.

Risk assessment

Carried out by a company as a means of identifying and trying to minimise potential risks. It should offer solutions to manage potential hazards on location and may include photographs.

Risk assessments will normally include the following information:

Hazard name, what the risk is, who is at risk, how to control it, level of risk

EXAM QUESTION:

A number of activities will need to be completed throughout the design and development of the promotional video. 

a) Identify two of the activities, other than storyboarding, that would be carried out as part of the development process and explain the importance of each. (6)

An asset log will need to be produced, this will list all the things which are considered an asset and contains what the permission details regarding the asset are. Interestingly, this document is a very important part of the development process as it ensures all  the companies assets are accounted for and the proper permissions are in place. For example, if the company owned a camera this asset would need to be signed in and out of the asset log to ensure it wasn't stolen.

Another document needed in the development process would be permission forms, the gain various forms of permission. One example would be gaining a location form, this allows the company to obtain permission to access and use a space. These forms are very important, without them it could lead to legal issue later on and having these forms will help to prevent that.