The Four Stages of Production

The Four Stages of 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.

Key Roles of Film Production

Writer/Screenwriter 

A screenplay writer, screenwriter for short, scriptwriter or scenarios is a writer who practices the craft of screenwriting, writing screenplays on which mass media such as films, television programs, comics or video games are based. 

Producer

The job of a producer is to oversee all areas of a film which are not really within the director’s preview. The producer is in charge of looking over all legal, financial administration, marketing, and personnel a watching brief on editorial and creative etc.  The Producer may have originated the project, pitched and financed it and then attached talent such as writer, director, actors etc. or it may have come to the Producer or Studio from a writer, director, agency etc. 

Casting Director 

There job is to organised the selecting of actors for the roles in a film. They do this by arranging this such as interviews and auditions, followed by negotiating fees and contracts with the actors who get the part. They work with the producer and director to understand the requirements. 

Director

Person who takes the screenplay and turns it into pictures and sounds, by directing the DoP and camera crew, sound, lighting, art and design, wardrobe etc. and actors, and the driving the post production process, as to what he or she wants on screen and looking to achieve that.

Film Finance - This job is undertaken during the pre-production stage of a film. Their concern is determining the potential value of a proposed film, they do thing by forecasting potential revenue first.

Camera Operator

A camera operator is part of a film crew consisting of the director of photography and one or more camera assistants. They simply operate the camera during filming.

Editor

The editor’s job is to look at the raw film footage and select shots and combine them into sequences to created the finished film. Film Editing is part of the Post-Production process, cutting shots and putting them together using technical film editing software.

Production Designer

Stuart Craig's Concept art of Hogwarts School for the production of the Harry Potter Movies.

Production designers are in charge of the visual concept of a film, television. They recognize a design style for sets, locations, graphics, props, lighting, camera angles and costumes, while working carefully with the director and producer.

Marketing 

Film Marketing is the practice of promotion specifically in the film industry, and usually occurs in coordination with the process of film distribution. This includes the distribution of trailers, advertisements, poster and promotional offers. This gets the public interested and excited in the movie and most importantly, has the public aware about the movie and when it is to be released.

Exhibition

This is the retail branch of the film industry. This involves showing public screening, usually for paying customers in a place which is devoted to viewing movies in a specific environment (Cinema). The exhibitor sells the experience of a film, this includes the snacks and drinks. Because exhibitors to some extent control how films are programmed, promoted, and presented to the public, they have considerable influence over the box-office success and, more importantly, the reception of films.