filming
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filming
The activity of filming for a film or television production. The word is used almost exclusively in the plural 'Dreharbeiten' (filming/shooting).
Die Dreharbeiten für den neuen Kinofilm beginnen nächste Woche in Berlin.
Filming for the new feature film begins next week in Berlin.
The word is made up of 'drehen' (in the sense of 'einen Film drehen' — to shoot a film) and 'Arbeit' (work). So it literally describes the work involved in filming.
Für diese Szene waren stundenlange Dreharbeiten nötig.
Hours of filming were necessary for this scene.
Although a singular form exists, the word is almost always used in the plural 'die Dreharbeiten' (the filming/shooting). It refers to the entire filming process, which consists of many individual activities.
Die Dreharbeiten wurden wegen des Regens unterbrochen.
Filming was interrupted because of the rain.
Common verbs used with 'Dreharbeiten' are 'beginnen' (to begin), 'stattfinden' (to take place), 'abschließen' (to complete), or 'unterbrechen' (to interrupt).
Nächstes Jahr finden die Dreharbeiten für die zweite Staffel statt.
Filming for the second season will take place next year.
recording / admission / uptake
When referring to a film scene, both words can be related to filming. An Aufnahme is the recorded result or a single recording, while Dreharbeiten refers to the broader activity of filming. Use „Aufnahme“ for the specific recording and „Dreharbeiten“ for the ongoing work on the film.
Die Dreharbeiten für die letzte Szene dauern noch zwei Tage.
Filming the last scene will take another two days.
Die Aufnahme der letzten Szene muss noch geschnitten werden.
The recording of the last scene still needs to be edited.
