TCU PreProduction Exam One

Production Team / What do they do? - ANS-- Everyone involved in the production - both
staff and talent.
- It's up to the production team to deliver the final product that meets the financers
approval.

What goes into setting up an office? - ANS-- Studios have office space they will rent to
producers.
- Much to consider when locating office space (duration, size, room for other
departments, etc).
- Warehouse with office space: big enough doors for trucks? high enough ceilings?
need generator? set construction noise? etc etc

Daily Call Sheets - ANS-A game plan for what will be shot the following day. (who's to
work, what time, etc).

Breakdown Sheets - ANS-Schedules of individual elements needed for a show - extras,

stand ins, stunts, effects, vehicles, hair, makeup, equipment, etc. Everything that's in
that scene

Strip Board - ANS-- Organizing your breakdown sheets for scheduling.

- A cardboard / wooden chart displaying color-coded strips of paper, each with info
about a scene in the film's shooting script.

One-Line Schedule - ANS-- A short version of a shooting schedule.

- Only includes cast, page count, set description.

Day-Out-Of-Days - ANS-A chart that denotes workdays, almost always referring to the
cast. (handy way to chart schedules for stunt performers, extras, stand ins, etc). Tracks
days you're working.

What is pre-production? - ANS-Script, hiring, finding locations, budgeting...

Stage Rentals - ANS-Renting sound stages or studio spaces where INDOOR scenes
are filmed.

Location Scouting / Rental - ANS-Searching for locations to shoot and arranging

agreements for their use.
Budgeting - ANS-Creating a financial plan outlining the entire production process.

Union Vs Non Union - ANS-Whether or not the production crew and actors are
members of labor unions (union productions adhere to specific labor laws /
agreements). Non Union is cheaper.

Production Reports - ANS-The official record of what was shot in a given day. (Scene
numbers, setups, minutes, who worked, how long... just what happened that day).

Above The Line - ANS-Key people- main actors, producers, directors, writers (those
with stake in the cost or have creative control).

Below The Line - ANS-Crew members, extras, props, location... everything else in the
budget.

Contingencies - ANS-Funds set aside in budget to cover unexpected expenses /

emergencies. 10% of budget.

Account Numbers (Department) - ANS-Specific codes/numbers used in accounting to

track expenses related to different departments involved in the production. (Producer 1
is 4003, producer 2 would be 4004).

Tracking Expenses - ANS-Monitoring / recording all expenses to make sure they aline
with the budget. Purchase order = detailed receipt.

Literary Acquisition Agreement - ANS-Legal contracts regarding the purchase or renal

of literary materials (books, scripts) for adaptation into films.
- Books are easier to sell as movies b/c built in audience.

Buying The Property - ANS-Rights to an original screenplay or book. Producers want

the rights free and clear + also wants equal rights and ancillary markets.

Development - ANS-After acquiring the rights to the property, production companies sell
the project to a distribution company for financing. Project is then pitched to
studios/networks, changed up, actors/directors may be attached in order to finally get
the "green light."

Budgeting - ANS-Creating a financial plan outlining the costs of the entire production
process. Line Producer supervises.
Top Sheet Detail - ANS-A summary of the budget. (Broken up into above the line /
below the line; includes a total for both categories and where details can be found.) -
ATL and BTL totals as a total budget.

Shooting Schedule - ANS-Outlines what scenes will be shot for each shooting day of a
production.

Taft / Harley Act - ANS-- Restricts the activities / power of labor unions. companies can't
force a union
- Regulations of employment / working conditions.

Employment For Minors - ANS-Regulations govern employment / working conditions for

minors.

Performer Categories - ANS-Specification of actor roles. (main performers, singers,

extras, stunt performers, etc). SAG (screen actors guild) - how they classify actors.

Rest Periods - ANS-Mandatory rest to ensure well-being of crew and cast. (12 hours in
between when their dismissed and when they are needed back). "Forced Call" - a
violation of a rest period. (penalty / fine).

Writing Coverage - ANS-Detailed assessments / summaries of scripts to help producers

/ executives evaluate the potential of a screen play. Either a "pass" a "consider" or a
"recommend."

Six Pases to Any Film - ANS-Development, preproduction, production, postproduction,

distribution, exhibition.

E&O - ANS-Protects producers from being sued over errors and omissions. "Liability
from being sued for saying a certain thing" Someone clears the script for anything that
might make you liable to being sued."

Optioning - ANS-Allows the producer to acquire the property for cheap and look for
financial backing. If they find proper backing, there's usually a final fee to give the
property holder proper compensation.

UPM - Unit Production Manager - ANS-The reality check of production who says "no".
Makes sure everything is done cost-efficiently and on-time.
First Assistant Director - ANS-"Quiet on the set!", works with the director and organizes
the shooting schedule.

Second Assistant Director - ANS-"Backstage director"/call sheets, works with actors and
wardrobe.

Production Coordinator - ANS-Directs the production office.

Location Site Representative - ANS-Has info / rules on how you can use the location /
supervises. Knows about the area.