LO2 - Presentation from Hugh Mann (Let there be light productions)

Hugh Mann is the director of 'let there be light' productions, a team of creative film and animation experts that are stationed in Sheffield. Mann decided one day when he participated in the creation of film that he needed to be a film maker, and started it all off by engaging in a short film competition, of which he won multiple awards for. Since then he set up the production company 'let there be light' and it has gradually grown into a more well-renowned business. On the 13th January 2016 he visited the UTC to talk to us about the importance of planning before shooting something.
Mann believes that film production is 80% planning, this includes: scheduling, scripting, storyboarding, animating, signing off the actors and signing off companies that are funding the production. In the event of creating a music video this will also include branding assets being filed (logos, text, etc. that are used in the video). He stressed to us the importance of building up a portfolio throughout your career and having business cards to hand out at networking events as it opens more doors for you as a director. Another issue you must tackle is health and safety, this is vital as the company is responsible for whatever happens- release forms and location consent forms are included in this.

The groups asked questions about his work at 'let there be light':

How do you deal with difficult crew members on set?
Patience and respect are important. You have to lead by example when you're in charge, that means no disrespecting anyone. Show them that you're willing to take on the crap jobs so that they will do them next time, you also need to also maintain a presence of control so that nobodies faith in you wavers.

How do you make your creations realistic?
When writing from a character's perspective you need to have the experience of people like them so that they are both believable and relatable, this means you need to do your research and go out and participate in activities. The actors that you choose also need to suit the roles well as they're really the ones that make the film. Props are also important as they make the setting more real, a believable set makes for a believable story.

What's the most important part of planning?
All of it. If you miss anything out in the planning stage it can ruin the rest of the project. It's not only the things I've mentioned before about getting release forms and hiring actors, it's also important to get food and water for the day for the actors so that they're satisfied.