Our Blog
Film professions. How is it and how could it be? cont.
1st director assistant
As it is
The profession, which used to be called “Second Director” in Poland, was awarded the number 1. First Director Assistant is a professional position which in the American system has little in common with directing. Their responsibility is in production and the person for the job is usually chosen by the film producer. Their role can be described, with little exaggeration, as the role of overseer, whose task is to whip up and enforce the speed of work on the plan. In the studio system, the First Director Assistant receives a bonus for making films on time. Their position on the set is indisputable. In fact, it is the First Assistant Director who decides what happens on the set. They are a specialist in the thicket of U. S. trade union and professional laws and are the one burdened with building the set. As we can guess, this plan often has nothing to do with the drama of the work that is being created. Often, background scenes have more time allocated than those crucial for the storyline. No wonder that this role and such “clandestine” positioning of the First Assistant Director on the set, as officially the Director’s representative, was eagerly taken over by European producers and the current production system.
As it could be
In a small film (but not only) the “First Assistant Director”, or using old terminology, the Second Director is the person who unambiguously represents the interest of the film, i.e. of the Director.
They should be elected and trusted by the Director. They should be present and active during the preparation of the film for the shooting.
The responsibilities of the Second Director in the new system:
- Aid in the implementation of the previs
- Help with casting. Screen tests.
- Preparation of the filming set together with the director, but also, of course, the producer.
- The second director in the course of filming (applies only to small-scale films) is responsible for the directing in the second team (more details below).
- Help in selection of scenes for editing
- In big scenes, where both teams work together, they are responsible for the direction of the background.

Set secretary, or: reports, reports and reports
They used to be the person registering the behavior (the gestures of actors) so that when implementing the reverse shots, the actors could repeat them exactly in the same place. Currently, this role is fulfilled by image recording. The recorded material can be viewed at any time and the actor can precisely repeat their behaviour. In addition, the film is often shot in a multi-camera system, where the necessity of repeating the same behaviours is unnecessary. The set secretary now describes what has been done on the set in special reports. However, the number of fields and descriptions to be filled in by the Plan secretary is superfluous. Nobody or almost nobody reads it. It was supposed to serve the editing team in understanding what has been done on the set, but once the editing is established on the set, it becomes redundant. The part of the description that is made by the set secretary could be used by VFX, but there are no such items in existing forms. The VFX Supervisor prefers to make the right measurements themselves, because the accuracy of such measurements shortens the working time in developing the effects.
We often film using cameras without operator (Crash cameras) these cameras are switched on much earlier and record minutes of bland material to catch something that is valuable and only takes 0.5 seconds, e. g. an explosion. The set secretary does not have the tools to select these moments. Their archiving documentation does not provide for such description, and there are no tools to make it. Nowadays, the work of the set secretary shows clearly how technological changes should force the evolution of a profession, and how we are stuck eye-deep in the old system.

Director
As it is
I have already written about the reasons why people who are often talented are defeated in this profession. So I will limit myself to saying that the European model of a film director is the military model. The director is a general on set, and is always right. If they announce to their team that, in their opinion, black is not black and that, in their opinion,”black is actually white”, their team will conceal their true opinion and will concur. This model of the infallible director is fundamentally different from the film studio model, where the control of both the producer and the studio financing the film is much greater. The director is a professional rented by the studio/producer and their typical contract provides the option of releasing them from duty at any time. It is quite common for the directors to be stripped of the right to the so-called “final cut” – the final version of the film after editing. The leap from the film school and films made in the student model to the professional model is often a cause of trauma and shock. The confrontation with the professional reality of film production, so distant from the atmosphere and technique of student short forms, and most of all the lack of tools for controlling the emerging film are often the cause of personal failure of the young adepts and at the same time the failure of the project.
As it could be
The model proposed by us give the director a tool (previs) for controlling his vision of the film that would otherwise be usually inaccessible for others. The way in which the director wants to transfer the text of the script to the screen is usually “emdedded in their head” and others have no chance to see it.
Previs is a method to uncover these mechanisms and make them public. We want to build a system – not a military one, but a team-based one. The whole team after the preparation of the previs and its screening will be aware of what is expected from them. They will be more conscious of the message of the future film and its style, even if the elements will not be named explicitly. Editing on the set, in turn, is a tool allowing the director to refer at all times (by screening) to the whole of the work under preparation.
A break in filming is to serve a similar purpose. These new tools are created to make the work of director comfortable, not to control it!
Redefining of film professions has also the purpose of freeing the director from thousands of sometimes needless questions when working on the set. Both the hierarchy of visual professions as well as a different model of assistants (second director) are to achieve this. (I know what I am talking about – I filmed a lot of debuts).
By the way, I met with a very interesting system of showing working material when making a film in Germany. The screening did not take place each day after work, but once a week on a weekend, and were connected with a breakfast for the whole team. In such a relaxed atmosphere it was easier to distance oneself from the work done, and also to assess a slightly longer piece of the film.
In everyday work on the set, in order to have an effective control over what is being created, it is necessary to design and prepare a modern decision centre, i.e. what we call the “director’s preview”, or “video village”. Such “centre” should be well connected with other post-production divisions located in Cinebus. And it is not only about observing the cameras’ view on the set, but also the easiness of seeing “on the run” how a scene that is being filmed fits with the rest of the already made footage, or the preliminary assessment of connecting live images with CGI. Without unnecessary and time-consuming work, the director and other members of the team will have an ongoing insight in the film under preparation, not only from the point of view of the currently filmed shot, but also in the function of such shot in editing. The director will be able to assess on the run, without leaving the set, the colour correction and preliminary CGI effects or compare it with reference materials (mood boards), and also to inspect the footage of the Team B.

Producer
In the old times, before becoming a master, the apprentice had to had to go on a professional journey in order to see other ways or ideas for crafting with other masters in the profession. In the age of mass communication, only apparently does it seem to us that we know everything, because it is enough to google it. I believe that in the European cinema it is a mistake to use American production software, because they are built for a different production reality. One of the numerous examples I have written above is the example of the First Assistant Director. It should be remembered that studio-based filmmaking (USA) is built on the economic calculation, resulting from the position of this industry in the world. Studio films are made to earn money and this is usually the case. In Europe, the producer makes money by saving on the production of films, because very few films generate profits. Quite a glaring example is the fact that in studio films, the director almost always gets a chance to improve an already finished film in the form of additional shots, and making them takes sometimes a few days. In Europe, this tradition is almost nonexistent, and for a very simple reason, because making these extra shorts eats away the producer’s income. We can claim that the quality of a finished work is not entirely the aim of European film production, because the producer makes money from savings. In addition, the producer is an easy prey for price manipulation. They cannot and do not know everything, becomes a victim of price collusion (fees of post-production companies) or manipulation of managers of individual departments described above.
As it is
- An outdated, rigid process of film production
- Copying models of the rich and based on an obsolete model (negative role of trade unions) of the US film industry; it should be remembered that the Americans can afford it because it is still very profitable.
- Application of production software created for high-budget studio films. This is particularly nonsensical in small films.
- Non-transparent economic models, the goal of which is to generate maximum profit already in the production of the film, and not the revenue from future distribution. The issue of quality in the film produced in this way is secondary for the producer.
- Protection of own interest. Savings to which the producer forces the heads of individual departments are rarely implemented in their own, production division.
As it could be
This whole document contain the description of these changes.
The modern model of future film production should be transparent, a system whose ultimate goal is the quality of the produced work.
[Extracts from the Essay “How to make films cheaper and better” by Sławomir Idziak.]
See also
November 2020
October 2020
- Congratulations to winners of PZU Competition!
- Join CGI and modern editing group!
- Join VFX Group and win Nuke license!
- Check the program of Film Spring Open 2020
- Director Olga Czyżykiewicz will lead Music Videos Group
- Konrad Ziaja will lead Virtual Reality Group
September 2020
- Join Film Music Group
- Adam Suzin and Beata Rakoczy will lead Group Sony Shooting in Rough Conditions
- Bloger Konrad Kruczkowski will lead Internet Creators Group
- Pawel Dyllus will lead Arri Crime Movies Group
- Slawomir Idziak will lead New Green Production Model Group
August 2020
- Florent Pallares will lead Interactive Narration Group
- Canon Documentary Films Group
- Filming on a virtual set group
- We invite you to join Nature Films Group
July 2020
- Contest for a PZU SA preventive campaign
- Jagoda Szelc will lead scriptwriting group at Film Spring Open 2020 online edition
- Film Spring Open – Lab of the audiovisual future. Welcome to the 2020 Film Spring Open Workshop!
April 2020
October 2019
- The Kissinger Twins will lead a masterclass at Film Spring Open 2019
- Join the Video Games Group with Bloober Team!
- We invite to join Sony Xperia Youtubers Group at Film Spring Open 2019
- Andrey Zvyagintsev (“Leviathan”, “Loveless”) will be a guest at Film Spring Open 2019
- Learn about ecology and come to Green Film Open discussion panel at Film Spring Open 2019
- Artur Reinhart will lead the Nikon Movie Close-up group
- Sophia Kyriacou will be a guest at Film Spring Open 2019
- Wanda i Marcin Kędzierzawscy will lead the SFX and special effects make-up group
- Paweł Dyllus will lead the Arri Group – crime movies now and in the future
September 2019
- Gabriel Ziaja will lead Virtual Reality HP Group this year!
- Check the program of Film Spring Open Workshop 2019!
- Kuba Sobek will lead CGI and modern editing group
- Music video contest: win one of a three workshop scholarships!
- Michał Sobociński will lead the Sony Venice Group
- Sławomir Idziak will lead the Actors Previs Group this year
- Agata Nawrocka will lead Nuke The Art of Visual Effects Group
- Wojciech Staroń will lead Canon Documentary Film Group
- Why is it worth to join the contest? We ask the winners of 2017 edition
August 2019
- The Interactive Narration Group will continue the project during Film Spring Open 2019
- Film Summer Masterclass in Görlitz
- Competition for a PZU SA Preventive Campaign: fifteen scholarships to win!
- Dorota Kędzierzawska will lead Family and Children’s Film Group
July 2019
- Jagoda Szelc will lead screenwriting group at Film Spring Open 2019
- Join us at the audiovisual workshop Film Spring Open 2019!
December 2018
- Jagoda Szelc at the Film Spring Open Workshop 2018
- Visual Dramaturgy. Sławomir Idziak at the Film Spring Open Workshop 2018
- „You cannot make better fire than the real fire” – Neil Corbould – the special guest of the Film Spring Open Workshop 2018
- Tough way to debut. An Oscar winner, Ewa Puszczyńska – the special guest of Film Spring Open Workshop 2018
November 2018
- Character and Cartoon Animation in CINEMA 4D: 3 Case Studies – Fabian Rosenkranz at Film Spring Open Workshop 2018
- The 13. edition of the Film Spring Open Workshop has come to an end. Thank you!
October 2018
- Neil Corbould, a two-time Oscar winner arrived to teach special effects in low-budget filmmaking and Ewa Puszczyńska, an Oscar winner for Ida gave a lecture on film debut – the third day of the Film Spring Workshop behind us.
- Make an animated music video for Siles, Zuza Jabłońska or Laboratorium.
- Screenings at the Film Spring Workshop.The Lost Town of Świteź (dir. Kamil Polak)
- The latest technologies, talking Virtual Hologram and mind-tripping experiences in VR – our Special Guests: James E. Marks & Chris Szkoda from DoubleMe (London)
- Having a good head for filmmaking – about the mental training in the profession.
- Screenings at the Film Spring Workshop. Dawn and Short Film About Life
- LG YouTubers group. Be smart, use your smartphone to make a film.
- Screenings at the Film Spring Workshop. 7 FEELINGS/ 7 UCZUĆ.
- Framework programme of the Film Spring Workshop 2018
- Canon – Nature Films Group
September 2018
- Make a music video for Tymon Tymański & MU and win the scholarship at our workshop
- Get a scholarship and join our brand new group! Open call for the sports film group.
- Interactive narration group. Only you
- Meeting with an Artist – Jagoda Szelc
August 2018
- The Film Summer Masterclass has come to an end but this is just the beginning of great friendships and collaborations.
- From an idea to a story- from a line to a film. Painting animation group
- Make yourself a movie poster. A film graphics group
- Laila Pakalnina to tutor the documentary group at Film Spring Workshop.
July 2018
- Tools and means of transport in the new model of film production.
- Fantastic worlds of UNIT9
- Crossing the borders. Summer Masterclass
- Borys Lankosz will teach screenwriting at the Film Spring Workshop.
June 2018
- Augmented reality cinematic experience group
- The second team – how to speed work without losing in quality control.
- OPEN CALL for Film Spring Workshop 2018
May 2018
- Film professions. How is it and how could it be? cont.
- Film professions. How is it and how could it be?
April 2018
- Previs – New Workflow.
- Slawomir Idziak will hold a Visual Dramaturgy Workshop with introduction to New Model of Film Production in Bratislava.
- Filmmakers and artists at the Zakopane Festival of Films about Art. Promotion of the New Model of Film Production.
March 2018
- New Production Model. Part 4. All about Previs
- New Production Model. Part 3. Chaos, or how the cinematography is done in the film
February 2018
- Sławomir Idziak with the award for lifetime achievement. Cinebus at the PSC award ceremony.
- New Model of Film Production. Part 2. New is born from the death of the old
- The New Model of Film Production. Introduction.
December 2017
October 2017
- What you should know before coming to the Film Spring Workshop 2017
- The Summary of the Film Spring Workshop Programme 2017
- Internet stars at Film Spring Workshop.
September 2017
August 2017
- The battles, shootings, car chases, explosions – we shoot action scenes
- Revolution in Motion Capture accessible to anyone
- Allegro at the Film Spring Workshop – film project contest
- Make your own video game!
- Boost your technical filmmaking knowledge at Film Spring Workshop
- “Race cars, space jumps and explosions – putting every boy’s dreams into 3D graphics”. A presentation and workshop by Matthias Zabiegly, Aixsponza.
- Interactive Narration Group 2017 is waiting for you!
July 2017
June 2017
May 2017
April 2017
October 2016
September 2016
- Film Spring Open 2016 Daily Schedule
- Juliette Binoche at Film Spring Open-Air
- Neurobiology of creativity. For love of the Brain
August 2016
- Previs Group is waiting for you!
- Audiovisual Workshop „Spirit Possession or Confession” through the prism of the work of the French anthropologist and historian Michel de Certeau.
- Open Call to Commercials Group at Film Spring Open-Air
June 2016
May 2016
June 2015
September 2014
- Equipment at Film Spring Open Air 2014
- Only at FSO! Re-creating workflow of Natalie Portman’s directorial debut “A Tale of Love and Darkness”
- Sławomir Idziak workshops at FSO "The Triple Life of Veronique”
- Actors at Film Spring Open Air 2014
- Graphic of Film Spring Open Air 2014!
- Equipment at FSO – information from technical team
- Recruitment results – Filmspringers 2014
July 2014
- CHIMNEY POLAND supports Film Adaptations of Theatrical Spectacles Group!
- Music Videos Group KAYAX at Film Spring Open Air!
- Join Interactive Dramaturgy Group!
- Polish Society of Cinematographers offers scholarships for Film Spring Open Air!
June 2014
- Commercial Advertisement LOTTO Group at Film Spring Open Air!
- 105 000 PLN for scripts associated with Małopolska – Call for VII edition of the Competition “Three Crowns – Małopolska Film Award”!
- Invitation from Young Artists Set of the Union of Artists of Polish Scenes
- FilmSpringers’ "Your Place" now on VOFF
- Film Spring Open Air nominated for the Polish Film Institute Award!