This is the phase where you would narrow down the options of the production. It is where all the planning takes place before the camera rolls. Whether it is measured in minutes, hours or days; this planning phase sets the overall vision of the project.
Pre-production also includes working out the shooting location and casting, producer will assign a Line Manager or Production Manager to create the schedule for the actual shooting while budget is allocated, and storyboard drawn.
Eventually, everything that is needed for the film is prepared like sets, costumes and props, equipment, music, and makeup. The cast and crew are also recruited in this phase, including the director, the casting director, the location manager, the production manager, the director of photography, the production designer, the sound designer, the art director, the music composer, the choreographer and of course, the actors.
It is important to say that everything is done in pre-production will save time and aggravation during production and post-production.
Once everything is assembled, the film is now ready to be made.
Every project begins with an idea, and the main challenge is to develop that idea. The first part of the phase of filmmaking is where the idea for the film is born, whether it is a thought or story, concepts from a book, a play, true stories, other movies or original ideas; it must be pondered upon and developed to create a viable theme, synopsis and eventually, a script.
What is the thesis and the theme of the story? What is the angle on the subject matter? What is the personal connection to the material? Why this story is important? What is the need to tell this story? These and other questions is an essential way to clarify and develop the idea. Once an idea for a story is created, a treatment for it is produced.
Research is an important tool for enriching the topic; it is the most important part of the entire process. As long as the research is solid, there will be less questions asked later on, and once having all of that done, the script is welling to flow smoothly.
Researching can use both external and internal sources. External research involves gathering detail from the surrounding environment that serve the subject, while internal research is about mining details from an own experience, memories, dreams, and details from past can be used to hone the attack and forge that personal connection that will carry the work through the rigors of media production.
Researching topic can be through:
- Encyclopedias
- Books
- Image databases
- Art and Humanities Databases
Synopsis is a general view or a quick outline that hits on all the important beats, moments or elements in a story or screenplay.
A synopsis is really nothing more than a short description of a screenplay. The typical synopsis consists of a plot summary of the screenplay on one side of a sheet of paper and usually contains no more than 400 words (A one-page synopsis is ideal). A mind-map or a treatment is a good way to start doing this; it should highlight the main characters and what they go through during the story. A good synopsis will focus a lot of attention to conflict and resolution.
Usually, synopses are written after completion of the screenplay, but it is often a good idea to write out a synopsis before even begin with FADE IN on a screenplay.
Once a clear picture of the story is painted, a pitch is then prepared to be presented to potential agents, producers and executives who are looking for good writers, stories and screenplays.
Pitch usually comes with some visualizations to highlight the key points or moments in the story, it has to present it in a way that succinctly, emotionally and powerfully conveys both its artistic and commercial potential.
This can be done by applying an effective tips like:
- Keep the story tight, short, and simple. “Never try to tell your whole story”
- One (Powerful) Photo Is a Thousand Words. “Focus on revealing the essential elements of your story”
- Prepare Effective Content and Typography. “Begin by revealing how you came up with the idea”
- You Have 20 Minutes. “Leave the other party in suspense”
- Provide Value “Finish your description with the title and the log line”
- Convey a Single (Focused) Message “Follow the log line with a question”
When a pitch is approved, financial backing is then sought from a major producer, an independent investor or a film council, negotiations start conducted and contracts are signed. The product (movie, …) is now given the go signal to be produced.
As the story become more ambitious, it is time to start to storyboard the story.
A storyboard is a pre-visualizing representation of the story. It can be a helpful alternative or supplement to a script, whether the scenes are complex or simple, storyboard help work out how it is going to have filmed them. Every shot or every scene can be drawn in each storyboard "box", audio details and other information can be written under each storyboard box. A plan can be drawn for location as well, which will help working out where to put the actors and cameras.
Storyboards can really smooth out the post-production process when it is time for editing. This will really be useful if there are multiple people working on the project.
Every writer has his own strategy for creating a solid foundation to his story. Agents, producers and executives also have a certain expectation as to how a film will flow. The trick is finding a story structure that matches both your style as a writer and also the industry’s expectation.
Screenplay is the creative engine behind the scenes, it contests challenges you to create the first 15 pages of an original script based on the given concept; what you write informs everything that comes after.
Generally, there is a standard script format for creating a solid foundation for your screenplay or novel.
Writers may take years to write a script for a feature film, and because it is not easy; there is always room to improvement. Amateur writers see a first draft as the end of their efforts, while veterans know that it is really just the beginning. “Writing is rewriting,” the old adage goes, and it is correct; the initial papers or drafts are certainly the basis, but it is only in the refinement of those papers that a screenplay is truly realized.
Above the right story, the right gear, the right budget, a professional crew and good leadership with clear decisive chains of commands and communication to another team member is paramount.
In the professional realm with a full staffed crew there exist a level of professionalism and mutual respect for each other’s jobs and responsibilities. This will ensure that production flows smoother and everyone can concentrate on their job responsibilities.
A chain of command does not mean a dictatorship on set. It simply means people need to be aware of where their orders come from and who has final say so.
Here is a comprehensive list of main crews:
- Production Department: Director, Assistant Director, Production Manager, Production Assistant, Unit Manager, Production Coordinator, Production Secretary, Production Accountant, Production Cashier
- Photography Department: Director of Photography, Assistant DOP, Camera Loader, Additional Operator, Key Grip, Best Boy Grip
- Casting Department: Local Casting Director, Extras Casting Director
- Makeup Department: Makeup artist, Hair stylist,
- Sound Department: Sound man, Sound Recordist, Boom Operators, Cable man
- Electrical Department: Gaffers, Electrician, Genset operator
- Set Department: Set operator Key Grip Best boy grips Crane operators
- Art Department: Art Director, Assistant art director, Prop Master, Assistant prop
- Locations: Location Scout, Location manager, Transport, Transport coordination, Vehicles, Driver
Everything that has happened up to this point is to make principal photography go as smoothly and efficiently as possible. It is now the actual shooting of the movie; it is when the camera rolls.
Production begins once the footage is recorded. This process will capture all the scenes and information captured in the pre-production process.
Shooting involves, framing and work on composition, setting up props, lighting being rigged, and actors being put in their respective costumes, it is nearly always the most expensive phase of film production. The primary aim, is to stick to the budget and time schedule, this requires constant vigilance.
Communication between all parties is crucial during the shoot, is the key between locations, set, office, Production Company, distributors - in short, all parties involved.
All the clips shot in a day are processed roughly and it is then viewed by the director and select members of the crew. This is done regularly so the crew and the cast are kept motivated and aware of how the movie is progressing.
The director declares “It is a wrap!" when the shooting is over, and all scenes are done. The movie is now in the can and the cast and crew celebrate this usually with a wrap party.
This is where filming project will really come to life. The post-production process begins after all the footage has been captured and the principal photography ends, but they may overlap.
The bulk of post-production consists of reviewing the footage and assembling the film - editing. There will be contributions as required from Visual Effects (VFX), Music and Sound Design. The picture will now be locked and delivery elements will be created. Special effects are added, including the opening titles and the closing credits.
Once this is done, the film is now considered locked. The final cut is now ready for publishing, printing, duplication and distribution.
Once the film is completed, it must be distributed. This is how producers make their money back and a considerable amount of time and energy will be invested to secure the right distribution deals for their projects.
The film will go into the cinema, TV and/or be distributed via various platforms, as well as, it will be promoted via press interviews, film showings, social media and others.