FILM PRODUCTION

FILM 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.

•Writer: The writer is responsible for writing the script. Once they've handed over the script that's pretty much the end of their creative involvement with the project. If the producer has hired the writer to write the film the producer can ask for rewrites, or even opt to bring in other writers if they don't feel the script is working. This happens quite a lot in Hollywood.

•Producer: Film producers fill a variety of roles depending upon the type of producer. Either employed by a production company or independent, producers plan and coordinate various aspects of film production, such as selecting script, coordinating writing, directing and editing, and arranging financing, also to keep an eye on the budget to make sure that departments aren't overspending.

•Casting director: Just like a normal director the casting director is the member of the production team to hire and recruit actors to play a role in their movies.

•Director: The Director is responsible for making the script a reality, they're basically in charge of the creative decisions on the project. During pre-production the Director will cast actors and may make changes to the script to suit their own personal vision. They will storyboard the shots and choose locations, colour schemes, costumes and many other elements. During production they are in charge of the set and work with the actors and other crew to execute their creative vision for the film. In post-production the creative considerations continue for the Director. They will work with the Editor, VFX team, Sound Designer and Composer until the film is finished, having input on most aspects of post-production.

•Film finance: Film finance is an aspect of film production that occurs during the development stage prior to pre-production, and is concerned with determining the potential value of a proposed film.

•Camera operator: A camera operator, sometimes informally called a cameraman or a camerawoman, is a professional operator of a film or video camera. In filmmaking, the person designing the lighting is the cinematographer or director of photography, who is also informally called a "cameraman" though it is a different job.

•Editor: Film editing is the art, technique, and practice of assembling shots into a coherent sequence. The job of an editor is not simply to mechanically put pieces of a film together, cut off film slates, or edit dialogue scenes.

•Production designer: In film and television, a production designer or P.D. is the person responsible for the physical overall look of a filmed event such as a TV program, video game, music video, or advertisement. Production designers have a key creative role in the creation of motion pictures and television.

•Marketing: Film promotion is the practice of promotion specifically in the film industry, and usually occurs in coordination with the process of film distribution and either released in theatres and again when released on DVD or Blu-Ray.

•Exhibition: A distributor may do this directly, if the distributor owns the theaters or film distribution networks, or through theatrical exhibitors and other sub-distributors. A limited distributor may deal only with particular products, such as DVDs or Blu-ray, or may act in a particular country or market.