By Lucy Froud
There are 12 stages to film making.
1. The idea
7. The shoot
2. Development
finance
8. Post production
3. Script development
9. Sales
4. Packaging
10. Marketing
5. Financing
11. Exhibition
6. Pre-production
12. Other windows
All films start with an idea, a moment of inspiration.
Inspirations are all around us for example in books, newspapers and even
something as simple as a conversation.
Wherever and whoever the idea comes from its always the producer who
decides to make the magical moment into reality.
The directors take and visualise the script. They know how to put it onto
the BIG screen!
Next the writers define and clarify the idea, the plot, and the main
characters. The writers then write a treatment, a one page description of
the main story and characters of the film.
A pitch contains all the information the producer needs in order to sell the
idea to the financiers to commission a script.
In general most film ideas come from making a film from a book or an idea
from a newspaper, rarely a film is made from a completely fresh new idea.
For example Harry Potter was made because of a book however, Avatar was
a fresh idea.
All films cost money, a lot of it.
The producer uses the treatment, pitch and persuasion to get
money for the development of a script.
Producers approach film production companies for
development money but they don't always have time, they
have projects of their own.
Producers offer future sales and broadcast rights to the film
in return for money to develop the script.
Producers can also apply to a public funding body such as
the UK film council for a development grant.
Producers can pitch the film to a private investor In the hope
for support for the project.
With the development finance secured its down to
the writer to deliver the product that the producer
and financiers want.
First the writer produces a synopsis, he and the
producer agree (or not) on they key scenes and
events in the film.
Most writers create a step outline to plan their
script.
Part of the writers fee is conditional on delivery of
the first draft, this can be the hardest part of
screenwriting.
When the writer and producer are happy, the draft
is sent to the financiers, all of whom will have their
own ideas.
When everyone Is happy, the script is locked and
becomes the final draft, the writer is then paid.
With the script complete, the director and producer decide
how they want to film it and who they will employ to help
them.
The producer and director must package the script into a full
commercial proposition ready for financing.
A common way to make the project more commercial is to attach
well known stars to the script.
Commercially successful heads of department carry considerable
clout with knowledgeable financiers.
The producer must know how much it will cost before turning the
film into a proper business proposition.
Potential investors will want to know how the producer plans to
raise the money, and how she plans to pay them back.
The producer packages the film into a viable commercial
proposition, now they need to see what people think of it.
Liam Neeson
Producers must secure enough funding to make the film to the
highest standard possible.
Financiers can be anywhere in the world and if the producers want
to make enough money, they must travel.
Private individuals. Production companies and public bodies all
invest in films. The producer’s lawyer draws up contracts to seal
the deals.
Producers can also make money from pre-sales, selling the rights
to film before it has even been made.
There are departments of banks that specialise in film finance.
Most financiers insist that a completion bond is in place before
they agree to invest. It is insurance for the production.
When all the insurance and funding is secured, the film gets the
‘green light’ and the producer celebrates.
With everything secured, the full cast and crew are hired
and detailed preparation for the shoot begins.
When all heads of departments are hired, the shooting script
is circulated, and pre-production begins in the earnest.
The casting director, with the director and producer begins
the long process of identifying and casting the actors.
Storyboards are the blueprints for the film, where every shot
is planned in advance by the director and DOP.
The production designer plans every aspect of how the film
will look, and hires people to design and build each part.
Effects shots are planned in much more detail than normal
shots, and can take months to design and build.
The 1’st ad, the line producer and production manager make
up the key logistics triangle of the production.
Film making can be a constant struggle to keep it on
schedule and budget.
Shooting begins, funding is released.
The camera department is responsible for getting all the
footage that the director and editor need to tell the story.
Lighting, sound, hair and makeup must be done before the shot
can be taken.
Actors must create an emotional world and draw the audience
into it.
Every special effect is carefully constructed and must be filmed
with minimum risk of injury to cast and crew.
Film productions are run with military precision. If they fall
behind schedule the financiers and insurers may step in.
Post production usually starts during the
shoot.
As the processed footage comes in, the editor assembles
it into scenes and creates a narrative sequence for the
film.
Once the picture is locked, the sound department works
on the audio track laying, creating and editing every
sound.
Digital effects, titles and credits are added.
Picture and colour are adjusted.
Rough sound mix goes into dubbing theatre where sound
mixer sets final levels.
After final lock the film reaches full lock and is now
finished and ready for duplication.
As finishing touches are being made, the distributors plan
their strategy and begin to market It.
The marketing team runs test screening to see how the film
is received from the audience.
Potential audience for the film is targeted by posters,
cinema trailers, T.V spots and other marketing materials.
T.V, newspapers and magazines all help spread word about
the film.
Digital media and internet has flooded the world with
information but has also made niche marketing possible.
To get the audience to see the trailers, distributors must
negotiate a deal with cinemas to screen it.
The producer sells the film but not outright to the public, she
needs a distributor.
To help sell the film to the distributor, the producer secures the
services of a sales agent.
A trailer is made to advertise the film.
The producer and sales agent collect everything they will need
to sell the film to the distributors.
Producers go to great lengths to attract attention to the
product.
High-profile screening at one of the top film festivals can be
great for selling the film.
The producer can now negotiate good deals with distributors
around the world.
Box office success equals finance success!
A premiere is used to launch the film to the media and
public.
The UK has more than 3,500 cinema screens, but not all
are British.
Distributors supply exhibitors with prints of the film.
The more screens that the film is shown, on the more
prints are needed.
Exhibitors take there share of the box office receipts,
after which the distributors recoup their marketing
costs.
When distributors have been paid the financiers
recover their investments.
‘Hospitality’ sales for hotel channels and flight
entertainments can bring in millions.
DVD’s can make up for box office failure.
T.V is the final source of revenue. Rights are sold
separately for pay-T.V showings and terrestrial
broadcast.
Computer games and other product licences can be
extremely lucrative sources of additional revenue.
Once the film has made profit, producers and key
creative people can reap their rewards.
The final income from a film is never known.
Distribution continues in perpetuity, and it may even
be re-released in the future.