2. The Idea
Creating a big budget film can often take years to be completed and
involves hundreds of people. However every film begins with a
moment of inspiration.
Wherever the idea stems from the producer forms the ‘Great Idea’
into a reality.
The director also makes the film a reality by visualizing the script. The
director knows how to take the story and put it onto the big screen.
The writer would then define and proof read the idea, the plot and
the main characters and turn it into something believable.
After this the writer will then write a treatment for the idea, usually a
one page description of the main story and characters of the film.
Then a pitch is formed which contains all the information the
producer would need in order to sell the idea to comimission a script.
3. Development Finance
The producer then approaches financiers with the pitch and treatment to get
money to develop a script.
They would then approach film production companies for development money.
As part of the deal the producer can offer the future sales and broadcast rights
to the film in return for money to develop the script.
The producer can also apply to a public funding body such as the UK film
council for a development grant. Pitching the film to private investors is done
in hope they will support the project.
4. Script Development
Firstly the write would produce a synopsis and he and the producer will agree or
disagree on the key scenes and events in the film.
Once the writer and producer are happy, the draft is sent to the financiers all of
whom will have their own ideas.
Once everyone involved is happy with the script it gets locked off and becomes a
final draft. Then the writer gets paid.
The final stage of the script development process is the creation of a sales
treatment.
5. Packaging
The producer and director would then package the script into a full
commercial proposition, ready for financing.
Attaching well known stars to the script also allows the project to be
more commercialised.
In order to turn the film into a proper business proposition the
producer must know how much the film will cost to be made.
Potential investors would want to know how the producer plans to
raise the money and how the producer plans to pay them back.
6. Financing
To secure the investment needed to make the film, the producer must travel to the
potential investors.
The producer’s lawyer would draw up contracts to seal the deals between
producers and potential investors.
The producer can also make money from pre-sales, selling the rights to the film
before its has even been made.
There are departments of banks that specialise in film finance they invest in
commercial projects and also offer loans.
7. Pre-Production
The casting director, director and producer begin to identify and cast the
actors.
Storyboards are used as blueprints for the film where every shot is planned
in advance by the director and director of photography.
The production designer plans every aspect of how the film will look and
hires people to design and build each part.
Then effects shots are planned in much more detail than normal shots and
could potentially take months to design and build.
8. The Shoot
Shooting begins and funding is released.
The camera department are responsible for getting all the footage that the
director and editor need to tell the story.
Once the lighting and sound is set up and hair and make up have been checked the
shot can begin.
Every special effect is carefully constructed and must be filmed with minimum risk
of injury to cast and crew.
Film productions are ran with strict precision. If they fall behind schedule the
financiers and insurers may step in.
9. Post Production
The editor will assemble the scenes into a narrative sequence for the film.
Once the picture is locked the sound department work on the audio track laying,
creating and editing every sound.
Digital effects are added by specialist effects professionals and titles and credits are
added.
The final stage of the picture edit is to adjust the colour and establish the fine
aesthetic of the film.
After picture lock, the rough sound mix goes to a dubbing theatre where the sound
mixer sets the final levels.
10. Sales
The film distributors secure the services of a sales agent.
A trailer is then made to show the film buyers the most marketable
aspects of the film.
The producer and sales agent collect everything they need to sell the
film to the distributors.
The producer must go to great lengths to attract attention to their
product.
High profile screenings at top film festivals can be great for
generating ‘heat’ around a film.
