2. 1 – The Idea
Sources of inspiration – real events, books, plays, films
and original ideas.
Then a producer is hired and/or starts the project.
Then the producer finds a director or vice versa, and
he makes it a reality.
Then a writer is taken on to get the script moving.
They write a treatment of the main events and
characters. They then make a pitch that shows a
development summary and a plot in one.
3. Development Finance
The producer shows the treatment and uses business
skills to get money for a script.
This may come from film production companies,
other businesses interested in the rights to the film
post- release.
From public funding (e.g.. UK Film Council) or from
private sources.
4. Script Development
The writer makes a synopsis of the key events in the
film.
Then they create step outline to plan the story.
The writer delivers several drafts of the script to
perfect the idea.
The financers then add their own ideas to the script.
When all the ideas are collected it becomes the final
draft and the writer gets paid.
Then a sales treatment is written to sell the film to
financers.
5. Packaging
The producer and director package the script into a
full business idea for financers.
The project developers then try to add famous stars
to the film to make it more likely to make a profit.
Famous heads of departments – editors and
production designers make it easier to convince
financers.
The producers then works out how much it will cost
to make the film.
The producer then works out who to approach for
money and estimates how much profit it will make.
The producer then presents the idea to the financers.
6. Financing
The producer may have to travel all over the world to
find financers.
The producer then draws contracts with private
individuals, production companies and public
bodies.
The producer also gets money from selling the film
rights before it is made.
Some banks also offer money and loans with interest.
Most financers want a completion bond as insurance
for the film.
Once all of the funding and insurance is done the
film is given the “green light”.
7. Pre - Production
The script is given to the Heads of Department and
this begins pre-production.
The casting director starts bringing actors on board.
The director and the director and photography then
storyboard every shot in the film.
The production designer plans every part of the
film’s look and hires people to build and design each
set.
Effects shots are planned in detail and can take
months to design and build.
The 1st AD, the line producer and the production
manager manage all the money and day-to-day
problems.
8. The Shoot
Shooting starts, and the funds are released.
The camera department gets all the footage that
shows the story.
The lighting and sound have to be set up and the hair
and make-up are checked before the shot can begin.
The actors have to make the story believable while
not being distracted by the other departments.
Every effect is carefully built and has to be filmed
with the least risk of injury to the cast and the crew.
Films have to be on a tight schedule or the financers
and insurance companies my shut it down.
9. Post – Production
As the film comes the editor, puts it together into
scenes and puts them in order.
Once filming is finished, the sound department
works on the sound for the film, making and editing
the soundtrack.
Digital effects are added by specialists along title and
credit sequences.
The last stage of the editing is to change the colour
and create the overall aesthetic feel.
After shooting is finished the sound mix goes to a
dubbing studio where the sound mixer perfects it.
After the final cut the film is finished completely and
it goes to whoever has the rights to it.
10. Sales
To help the producer sell the film the producer hires
a sales agent.
The producer will then have a trailer made to help
sell the film to distributors.
The producer and sales agent collect everything they
need to sell the film.
The producer has to fight to get the film noticed by
distributors.
A screening at a big film festival generates publicity
for the film.
The film is now a potential success and negotiates
deals with distributors worldwide.
11. Marketing
To help sell the film, the producer secures a sales
agent.
The marketing team runs test screenings to test
audience reception.
The marketing team release posters, trailers, TV
spots, and other marketing materials.
TV, radio, papers, and magazines review the film
and raise the profile.
Internet marketing campaigns are used to gain
publicity.
The distributors negotiate deals with cinemas to
screen the film.
12. Exhibition
A premiere is launched to get the media’s attention,
using well-known stars.
The film is then shown in the largest possible
number of cinema screens worldwide.
Distributors supply cinemas with copies of the film.
Cinemas take their share of the profits, after which
the distributors pay for their recoup marketing costs.
Once the distributor has been paid, the financers can
be paid for their investments, according the
recoupment schedule.
13. After The Film
The film is sold to hotel pay-per-view channels and
on planes to make an extra profit.
The film is then released on DVD and this can make
more profit than the cinema release.
Another source of profit is selling to broadcast
companies.
Also, video games can be licensed to bring in extra
profit.
Once the film has made a profit, the producer and
others involved in production can take their share of
the product.
The final income is never known , distribution
carries on forever and it may be re-released in future.
