A Simple Guide To Film Production

It is often thought the process by which films are done is sort of staggered or incohesive. However, that is far from the truth. Producers, filmmakers, and the cast and crew stay for extended periods contrary to the idea that once the filming is done, the movie is ready for the world to see.

Image source: pixabay.com

Financing is highly involved in the process of making a movie, and there are seven stages of film production. Development is its first stage. This will be the start of the project and usually begins with the development of a script, be it an existing script, a short story outline, or a book. The stage could also start with a director or writer pitching an idea to a producer. The second stage is pre-production. All the planning takes place at this stage, setting the vision for the whole film, working out the location of the shoot and casting. The producer would then hire a production manager to create the budget and schedule for the film.

Production is the third stage. As with every stage, planning is key, yet this one takes consistent vigilance so as for the production team to stick to the schedule and budget. Communication is king between location, set, office, production companies, distributors, and all the people involved. Following the production stage is principal photography, where the camera starts to roll—the most expensive one in the process, as the actors, director, and set crew start to get paid. Some shots would be more expensive than others, depending on the set and its design. The fifth and sweetest stage for the cast and crew is the wrap. Here the set has to be dismantled, and everything must be returned to the suppliers in perfect order, having a full set of records of the shoot.

The sixth stage is the post-production, where all the editing happens. As the visual effects, sound design, and music have been contributed to the film, the picture will now be locked, and delivery components will be created. The seventh and final stage is distribution, where producers can make their money back, having the film go into the cinema or get distributed by various platforms through networks and distribution companies.

Image source: filminquiry.com

Anju Vallabhaneni is the CEO of United Software Group, Inc. He is currently producing a film in India. For similar updates, visit this blog.