The Director Flashcards
(18 cards)
What does Lumet have to say about decisions?
There are no minor decisions in movie making each decision is a major decision that will either contribute to a good piece of work or bring the whole movie potentially crashing down.
What does he say in regards to reading a script?
You should make sure that you have the time to read the script uninterrupted straight through.
Lumet says whatever the movie whatever the auspices, whatever the problems, if there is a chance to direct (BLANK)
Take it
While Lumet has a deep respect for Al Pacino in Serpico what does he say about his own screen character?
He is not a fan and does not like Tony Montana, make sure this doesn’t cross over into his thoughts of Al Pacino 
What does he say is his biggest responsibility onset?
Saying print.
Why is he hesitant to say print?
Because that ends the shot and let them prepare for the next shot. There’s always a considerable amount of takedown between shots so it’s your last chance to redo the shot 
True or false? Lumet is known to say “screw the company I will spend what I have to”
False. In regards to budget he is very grateful to be given the budget he needs to make films and tries very hard to stick within his original scope.
The cost of the physical production of the movie is considered to be above or below the line with respect a budget?
Below the line 
What does the selling off of territories refer to in film financing?
The selling off of territories, in the context of film financing, refers to the practice where a film producer or studio sells the distribution rights to different geographic regions or markets (territories) before or during production.
What are the two things that you require to have in place when a film is not being funded by a large studio?
An American distribution deal, and a completion bond.
What is a completion bond? 
A completion bond is a type of insurance or financial guarantee provided by a third-party company, known as a completion guarantor. It ensures that a film will be finished on time and within its budget. If the film runs over budget or is not completed as promised, the completion bond covers the costs to finish the film, often by taking over the production and delivering it to the financiers.
Why is a completion bond necessary?
This bond is often required by investors or distributors before they agree to finance a film. It gives them confidence that their investment will not be lost due to production delays or budget overruns. For filmmakers, it can be a necessary tool to secure funding, as it assures investors that the film will be completed even if unforeseen challenges arise during production.
True or false there is language in the contract that states that if the production runs behind or becomes over budget the bonding company can take over the film?
True
What is the cost of getting a completion guarantee put in place?
The cost of obtaining a completion bond typically ranges between 2% and 5% of a film’s total production budget.
What does it mean when he talks about finishing off each wall?
when Lumet talks about “finishing off each wall,” he’s using it as a way of ensuring that each aspect of the lighting is accounted for and executed in a way that maximizes the use of the production budget without compromising on quality.
True or false; Lumet believes that lighting is the most time intensive therefore the most expensive part of filmmaking?
True
Lumet refers to finishing off each wall he identifies and labels four walls A - D why?
To reduce the costs associated with lighting he shoots each shot that requires the individual wall to be the background. As an example he would start with wall a behind him and shoot all forward scenes before changing camera angles.
True or false if the camera angle changes more than 15° you need to relight the scene?
True
