Film Production

The Idea

Film ideas can come from many places such as real life events, adaptations of books, day to day conversation or original ideas. Whatever the idea may be is pitched to a producer who calls in a director. The producer and director work together to produce something that can be filmed. A script writer is called in to make the idea tangible  the relationship between the producer, director and writer is key in the creative field of film production. The writer identifies the main story and characters so that the idea can be pitched to financiers.

Development Finance 

Turning the idea into a script can take a lot of time to get right, in the film industry "time is money." Funding is needed to support the writer, producer and in some cases the director during this process. This is called development funding. The producers go to potentional funders to pitch the idea hoping they will invest money to develop the idea further. 

Script Development

The writer produces a synopsis. Along with the producer they agree on key scenes or events which are written up as a 'first draft.' Once they are both happy with the draft it is sent to the financiers who can also have ideas. When they are all happy with the script it becomes the "final draft' and the writer gets paid. 

Packaging 

The producer and director pack the script ready for financing and add the names of well known stars so it becomes more 'commercial.' The producer needs to know how much the film will cost to make so that they can inform potential investors of the plan to raise the money and how they will be repaid.

Financing 

To make sure the finances are secure the producer must travel as financiers can be located anywhere around the world. The lawyer of the producer constructs a contract to 'seal the deal.' Once all funding is secure the film gets a 'green light' and the preproduction can begin. 

Pre-Production

The script is passed around and the casting director can begin to identify and cast the actors. Storyboards are made and the shots are planned in advance so that the pro ruin designer/s can see   How the film will look. Special effects can take months to design and build therefore they are planned in much more detail. 

The Shoot

The camera department are responsible for collecting all the footage needed to tell the story, once the hair and make up, lighting and set have been checked. The actors responsibility is to create a character the audience can become attached to and must work together to create the emotional world revolving the storyline. 

Post Production

After the footage has been filmed and is handed in the editor them assembles it into sciences and begins to create a narrative sequence for the film. The department that cover the sound add background tracks and edit the sound. The digital effects are then added along with titles and credits. The film is reviewed to make sure the colour and aesthetics are correct and the dubbing theartre set the final sound levels and the final cut is finished.

Sales 

The trailer is made to attract the attention of the potential audience. The trailer includes the most marketable aspects of the film, a high profiled screening at film festivals is ideal publicity for a film and means that the producer can make deals with distributed around the world. 

Marketing 

The team behind the marketing do screen tests to see how the film is received and posters, cinema trailers and tv spots are released to the potential audience. The distributers must make deals with the cinemas to screen it. 

Exhibition 

A premiere is held with media coverage in order to get people talking and up for going to see it. Once the distributors have been paid the financiers can recover the investment. 

Other Windows 

Sales from hotel channels and in-flight entertainment and bring in extra millions and in some cases ,are up for box office failure. The UK audience spend more money on DVDs meaning that they can also compensate for box office failure. Television rights are sold seperate and can be shown on various channels along side computer game licenses. Once there is a profit made the producer and key members can then claim their rewards, the film could be rereleased in the future or have a sequel produced.