Stage 1- Idea
The first stage of film making is when someone has an initial idea that they believe will make a good film. The sources of inspiration are all around us: newspapers, magazines, the news, the internet etc. Once there is an idea, there are 3 main people required to make it happen. A writer constructs a plot and then writes a brief description of the story line and characters. This is then pitched to potential financers.
Stage 2- Development Finance
The producer will use the pitch to attempt to gain money from finance in order to get a script and then approach a film production company. Another option available is public funding such as the \UK film council.
Stage 3- Development of Script
The writer completes a brief outline of the script and then the producer and the writer agree on key scenes and events which will occur in the film. Once these scenes have been confirmed by both the writer and producer, a first draft of the script is written. Once the first draft has been checked, it is sent off to the financers who may also contribute some of their own ideas into the film. Once everyone involved is happy with the script, it then becomes the final draft and this is when the writer gets paid for his contribution to the film.
Stage 4- Packaging
Firstly, before the script is ready for financing, it needs to be packaged by the director and producer. They will attach commonly known actors to the script to make it more appealing. An estimate of how much the film is going to cost will need to be made in order to inform the potential investors how they plan to raise the money and how the money is going to be paid back.
Stage 5- Financing
In order to secure finance, the producer may have to travel into foreign countries as potential investors may be anywhere in the world. Bank loans may also be used as a source of finance however this may not be the best method as there is a high chance that the interest may be very high on the money loaned out. Pre-sales are another way of raising further finance for the film. As soon as all the funding has been acquired, the film is given the green light. This means that pre-production of the film can begin.
Stage 6- Pre-Production
During pre-production, the script is allowed to circulate and the director of casting along with the producer will start to identify the cast for the film. To help the production designer and to quicken the filming process, storyboards are produced and each individual shot is planned in detail. Furthermore, any scene in the film containing special effects will be planned out extensively as these scenes take a lot of preparation.
Stage 7- The Shoot
First of all, the hair and make up of all actors must be checked, then the lighting of the set must be checked and altered if necessary and the finally the camera department can start shooting the footage required for the film. The actors must perform realistically and listen carefully to the directors instructions in order to achieve good footage.
Stage 8- Post Production
When the filming is complete, it is now down to the editor to assemble it into a full length movie. This is a hard task and can take a long time. The best footage is chosen from all the takes and is stitched together to form the move. This is then passed to the sound department where sound is edited or added. Digital effects are then added including titles and credits. The films quality is then assessed and the final cut is complete.
Stage 9- Sales
Attention must be attracted towards the film. This is done by a trailed being released, prior to the films release, to raise awareness of the film and to get potential audiences interested in the film. Well known actors or directors will help this process.
Stage 10- Marketing
Screen tests are conducted to see how the film is received by the public. Trailers and posters are then released for the public to view. Contracts are made with the distributers so that the film can be shown in cinemas.
Stage 11- Exhibition
The first showing of the film is called a premiere and it often attracts a lot of media attention and gives the film a lot of advertisement whilst increasing the amount people are talking about the film. The film is then generally released into cinemas for everyone to go and view it.
Stage 12- Other Windows
Once the film is no longer being shown in the cinema, there are many other options to make money. DVD sales can increase the profit and the film and can compensate for if the film was not a huge hit in the cinemas. For the film to be shown on the television, television rights can be sold which can increase profits further. This will allow investors to be paid back.
