Classification

What does the board do?

The classification board determines which films and computer games can be released to the public through their content, they categorize the classifications of the film to PG, M, MIA, R and X. They also classify internet content reported by the Australian Communications and Media Authority(ACMA).

How important is context in the decision making process?

The reason why context is so important Is because it can change the impact of whether a film is banned or released in a certain country, depending on the context of a film it can be offensive to that certain country because it is offensive to them but appropriate to different countries.

How is impact assessed?

Research some of the decisions the board has made in recent years.

What context has been refused classification or needed to be amended ?

UNDEAD

 The movie 'UNDEAD' was an Australian film made and produced by the Spireig brothers. Many problems arose and made the movie difficult to continue filming. Problems like the budget, lack of props and so much more. The most challenging part of production I think would be editing. I think that is difficult because of the amount of film you get and to choose whether which is right for that particular shot.

The biggest problem they had, in my opinion, was their budget. The production team wasn't very experienced; they were amateurs. None of them had a lot of money to contribute to the budget. They had to beg for their paint and other props. The production team actually spent their entire budget on the first day. Budget is very important because it limits you to what you can and cannot do. I don't think we'll struggle with our budget because we're just making a simple 3 minute short video and we don't need a large budget, we could even get by with the stuff we already have.

Another important aspect of shooting a film is the location. The movie 'UNDEAD' was a horror, zombie sci-fi film, making it hard to find the right locations for the theme. They need to find the perfect location set in their storyboard to make the film what they imagined it as. Location scouting is when a few people go out to look for desired locations based on what the producers described in the script. They research the owner, history and the cost of the location before actually using it to film. Location scouting would be difficult for us because we don't have a long time or vast area to select a good location for the shot.

Finally, editing is important as it is difficult because it shows the audience how important each shot and the effects it gives. Editing is difficult because it is post-production so you have a limited source of film and you have to work with only that. Timing a cut for each scene is very important because it tells the audience what they need to know and the suspense it builds up. Since we are beginners we will have difficulties with editing, knowing when to finish a shot and what to add to it.

Even though 'UNDEAD' faced many problems it's outcome was great. In the end they all got paid with what they deserved. During our term 4 shooting we will also come along with problems that will affect the movie and learn how to deal with them. Since we only have a few days to shoot and a week to edit we will need to use our time with the camera as much as we can and collect all the film we need. Just like 'UNDEAD' I think that we'll succeed and make a great short film.

Production Roles

Caterer
A caterer provides food and resources for the film crew.  The film crew often works long hours and need to eat well to film their best. Catering companies provide daily meals such as breakfast, lunch and dinner. Sometimes the crew works late into night, the caterers provide them coffee and snacks to get them through. Two days before the movie is filmed, the catering vehicles set off early in the morning to assure time to prepare breakfast for the cast and crew. If the location of the film is hard to find are too far, the catering crew meets up at a rendezvous and is escorted to the location by the manager. Chefs cook different meals that appeal to their previous menus; they ensure that the dietary requirements are catered for.

Location Manager
A Location Manager is a person who is linked and communicates with the film Production Company or advertising agency. They also work with the film’s director, giving the initiative whether or not the location is right.  During pre-production a location manager confirms the rights to film at that certain location also known as “clearing the location”. Their pre-production jobs include confirming availability and agreeing on pees to be paid to the location property owner or agent. They also obtain certificates of insurance, any needed film permits, distributing resident letters or filming notifications. Sometimes in some cases plans are made and because of the budget and they scout for further locations.

Prop Maker
Prop makers create replica props that are usually not brought or hired. They work in the properties department of feature films. The props that they make range from a large category of objects including stunt prop and specialised objects that move or light up. Prop makers can work alone, in some cases they work in large prop teams. Prop makers have responsibilities of planning and creating the necessary props for production.

Sound Editor

Sharks (superorder Selachimorpha) are a type of fish with a full cartilaginous skeleton and a highly streamlined body. The earliest known sharks date from more than 420 million years ago.

1. Where did the idea for Jaws originate? How did it become a film? Who contributed to the screenplay?
The movie 'Jaws' was originated from the gigantic 450 pound shark from Long Island. But the main origin was based off the best-selling novel 'Jaws'.

2. Why were particular scenes removed from the film?
Some scenes of the movie were removed because they were not necessary and because they were too gory and violent.

3. During the pre-production stage what sort of footage did the producers commission in preparation for the film? How was the script changed as a result of this footage?
The Production Commissioners went down to Australia to shoot live footage of the sharks. But because the sharks were only 16 feet long when in the script they were 24 feet long, they hired a small person and put him inside a miniature cage. Even then, the shark didn't attack the cage, but one of the sharks nose got caught on the cage's chain. The shark went crazy, but because the cage was empty, they changed the script of having no one inside the cage.

4. What was involved during the casting process?
Richard Dreyfuss who played the role of Matt Hooper denied the request from Spielberg to be in the film because he thought it would be a bitch to shoot. Soon Richard called up Spielberg and accepted the job because he needed a job. Ray Schieder who overheard a conversation regarding Jaws volunteered to act as Chief Brody.

5. What is location scouting? Why did Steven Spielberg choose the locations for the film?
Location scouting is a very important pre-production part of filming. Spielberg chose an ocean in Martha's Vineyard for the town of 'Amity'. Spielberg shot parts of the ocean so it would look like the cast were in the middle of the sea and couldn't escape. But actually the filming crew and cast were just a few metres from shore. The production film also shot footage of real life sharks in Australia before they started to film there mechanic sharks.

6. Describe how actors contributed to the production of Jaws.
Because of the lack of footage they could get from the shark, actors contributed to the film by giving a great understanding, improvising and even improving the role of the characters. This is how they came up with one of their well-known quotes "We're gonna need a bigger boat".

7. What does a composer do? What considerations were taken into account when writing the music for Jaws?
A composer writes various music and theatre music for the film. John Williams knew that he needed to compose a type of piece that would portray the suspense and tension of the shark. They came up with a famous piece of low and high notes getting louder and louder.





8. What did Spielberg do as a result of test screenings?
After the first test screening, Dick Zanuck and Spielberg were nervous to see the audiences reactions and if they would think of it as a success or just another movie. Spielberg decided to reshoot the Bed Gardner head in the boat scene. With the new shot he received louder screams then before but then only half screams from the next shark appearance because of the first surprise; they were ready for something to happen when the second scream came along.

9. What is a director of photography? How was the director of photography involved in the production of Jaws?
The director of photography or D.O.P for short manages and supervises the filming of a movie. Bill Butler; who was the D.O.P for Jaws, wanted to do a handheld shot of a certain scene. Spielberg thought it wouldn't work but turned out good.

10. What does an editor do? Who was the editor on Jaws and what was her responsibility?
An editor puts frames together to make a shot. Verna Field, who was the editor of Jaws rearranged parts of the film to create a better result.

11. Based on the documentary, what are the responsibilities of a producer?
A film producer is someone who creates the conditions for making movies. The producer initiates, co-ordinates, supervises and controls matters such as fund-raising, hiring key personnel and arranging for distributors. The producer is involved throughout all phases of the film-making process from development to completion of a project.

12. What does the producer do once principal photography has finished?
The producer's job is to watch the final version of the film and make any necessary rearrangements until it is distributed. 

13. What did the production designer do on the film?
Joe Alves, who was the production designer of Jaws, had the job of the overall look on Jaws.