Film Production

Development - This is simply the process of 'finding' a story. Ideas for films come from a variety of sources, they can range from novels, real life events to computer game adaptations. Once you've got an idea you'll need someone to write a pitch for you which you take to a film producer in an attempt to get some funding to make your film. Even at this very early stage you need a very clear idea of who you're aiming you film at so you can include elements that will appeal to them.

Pre-production - Once you've got funding you establish your budget and can begin to get a film crew together, you can storyboard the script. You also need break the script down into individual scenes and identify all the locations, props, cast members, costumes, special effects and visual effects needed.

Production - This is simply the process of 'making' the film. Provided you've done your job properly in the pre-production stage making the film should be straight forward. 'Film' is very expensive and difficult to store so an increasing number of film makers are using digital cameras to save money.

Post-production - During this stage you take all the 'film' you've shot and give it to a film editor. They will then begin putting it together. Special effects will be added, a soundtrack will be added, any missing dialogue will be re-recorded and added resulting in a 'rough cut'. This will be shown to the director and a test audience who will offer feedback. Often this causes scenes to be filmed and added or removed.

Scene 1 - The Idea

The idea for a film can come from anywhere, it could be a remake of an older film, a reboot of an older film, from factual events, from original ideas, from children's toys or comics and it could be an adaption. After the idea is created the producer has to give the all clear. After the producer a directer has to be chosen to make the idea a reality. Once the director has visualized the film a writer steps in to make the plot more realistic and then produce a treatment which is a one page description of the film. After these steps have been completed the script is commissioned. 

Scene 2 - Development finance 

Producers have to approach the development company for money to develop the script using the treatment and pitch. if the producer decides to not develop the film the producer can offer the future sale and broadcast rights. If the development company doesn't give the producer money they can go to the UK Film Council for a development grant and if that doesn't work the producer can pitch the idea to private investors. 

Scene 3 - Script development

To start the script development the writer produces a synopsis which they have to agree with the producer on then the script will start to be produced. There are many ways to write a script but most writers follow a step by step guide but the hardest part is the first draft. Once the first draft is completed it has to be sent to the financiers which have their own ideas to contribute after this has happened the first draft becomes a final draft and the writer finally gets paid. To finish the script development a sales development has to be created.

Scene 4 - Packaging

The producer and directer start the packaging by packaging the script into a full commercial proposition, one way to do this is to attach a list stars to the script. Once this has happened heads of departments meet with the financiers to clout the script. After this a budget plan must be drawn up and investors must be told how there money will be spent and how they will get it back. The producer has now packaged the script and it needs opinions from others.     

Scene 5 - Financing

Firstly the producer needs to secure investments and this may mean travelling the world to meet investers the producers lawyers may travel with them to write up a contract for the investors. Money can also be made from pre sales of the rights of the film. Money can be sourced from special departments of banks which are specialized to invest in films, and financiers insist on that a completion bond is in place for insurance. Once the budget has been made the green light is given.  

Scene 6 Pre-Production

Pre-production starts with a kick off meeting, this consists the heads of departments getting the shooting script and then beginning the pre-production. Once this meeting has held place the long process of casting begins and then the blueprints for each shot are drawn up. After this the production manager plans every aspect of the film and employs people to help with this. These shots are relatively easy to effect shots because effect shots have to be planned in much more detail and it could take months to design and build. To finish the first assistant director, the line producer and the production manager make a key logistic triangle of the production.

Scene 7 - The Shoot

To start the shoot, shooting begins and funding is released then the shooting department get ready for the shooting of the footage that the director and editor need. After the cameras are in place the lighting and sound have to be set up then finally hair and make up have to be checked. Once everything is in place the acting begins, the hardest part of acting is the special effects as these need to be carefully planned with minimum risk to the cast and crew. Film productions are set to a tight schedule and if it falls behind the financiers and insures step in.

Scene 8 - Post Production

Once the processed footage comes in the editor can start to assemble the scenes and a native sequence for the film. After this has finished the work on audio begins and to follow the digital effects are added by special effects compositors. After the digital effects have been added the titles and credits are added. The final stage of the picture edit is the colour and fine aesthetics are carefully adjusted. Once the picture edit is complete the sound goes to a dubbing theatre for the final levels to be set. Finally the film reaches final cut and it is put into full lock and copies can now be made.

Scene 9  - Sales

To start of sales a sales agent has to be employed, they are specialists in film sales. After they have been hired a trailer is made to captivate the audience and now the sales agent and producer combine all they need to sell there film. The film market is vast so the film has a lot of work to do to attract people, one way to do this is to make a viewing at a top rated film festival. The product now can be sold to distributors across the world.

Scene 10 - Marketing 

To help with the marketing a marketing team is put together, this consists of a sales agent and a specialist in film sales. The key part of marketing is knowing the audience, this can be gauged from running test screenings. The specific audience is now selected and the advertising and media input can be stemmed around this group. For the film to be in cinemas the distributor has to arrange deals with cinemas to screen it.

Scene 11 - Exhibition

The start of the exhibition of a film usually begins with the premier which is a reason for the media to come out and get the film into the eyes of the audience again. The distributors then deliver the necessary film prints to the cinemas screening the film. The exhibitors then take part of the box office receipt, this is included in the distributors bill. After the distributors have been paid the financiers can recover their money from the recoupment schedule.

Scene 12 - Other Windows

Additional revenue can also come from hotel showings and in flight films on airlines. The main sum of money comes from the sales of DVDs which people spend more money on than cinema tickets. Another way of making additional revenue is to sell game rights for the film. Once the profits have been made the key people in the making can receive their rewards. There can always be income coming in from a film even if it means re-releasing it.