How Movies Work: Business, Talent, Technology Movies are produced by groups, not individuals The production of a movie may involve several

thousand people Lord of the Rings had a technical crew of over

1,500. 23 cast members were credited, and there were hundreds more. 24 producers, writers, and directors were involved. 29 different corporations were involved with the financing of the movie. The website comes in 17 languages.

Show Business is a Business The budget for all three Lord of the

Rings is estimated to be around $273 million.

Obtaining financing for a movie is a major task of the producers, who also hire directors, technicians, and talent

Making movies is a very risky business

Talent Talent is contributed by writers,

directors, producers, mis en scene creators, musicians, actors, and some talented people who are easily missed.

For example, Lord of the Rings employed six wigmakers

Technology The camera is a machine, so movies have always been

intimately connected with technology The development of lenses and film over the last seventy

five years has had an immense influence on how movies are made

Color came in the 1940’s, but wasn’t fully developed until the mid-50’s

The telephoto lens, the long lens (for long shots with a muted background and a close up in the foreground) and filters came in to play in the 70’s.

Today the digital image makes storytelling in pictures even more versatile.

Movies are a technological art that requires high financial support—as well as teamwork, talent, and a good story.