2. First someone must be inspired to make a film, inspiration can come
from such things as real life events, the need to remake/ adapt a film
(in a different source of media), to a specific audience e.g. Horror
films are directed at teens.
Once you have got a solid idea of how you want the film to be made
you must pitch your idea to one or a group of producers, a great way
to do this is through an annual film festivals.
The producer will acquire the rights to a story, adaptation or, in some
cases, an original script. The producer will only see fit to obtain the
rights, if they believe that the film will make a substantial profit.
After the producer has obtained the rights, it is then down to them to
convert the idea into reality by developing the project further then
getting it made and released (usually with a team to help).
3. The next role of the producer is to assign a director to the production.
The director will then have the chance to view the screenplay and, if
they see fit, can make alterations to the idea. The quality and past-
work of the director will become a main selling point for the
producer.
A writer will also be assigned to the project to help polish the
idea/screenplay. The writer will also collaborate closely with the
director and producer. In some cases a writer will bring a first draft
script to go with the rest of the production team.
The creative team will work closely to create a treatment or synopsis
of the film, this will highlight the key events, characters and genre of
the film.
The creative team will then pitch their idea to possible financial
backers in order to obtain funds for the production.
4. The producer will attempt to obtain future sales and broadcast rights
of the film in order to get money to develop the script e.g. Fox will get
a percentage of the overall profit, as long as they fund the project.
Another way of obtaining a budget for the film would be to apply
with the National Film Industry to try and get a development grant.
If the project still needs funding, the producer can pitch to a private
investor e.g. a wealthy business man outside of the film industry.
5. The creative team will develop an outline to plan the script.
The draft of the film will then be sent to the financial backing for
approval.
When both the creative team and financial backing are happy, the
script gets locked and finalized and the writer gets paid.
With the script finalized, the creation of a sales treatment is put into
motion.
6. With the project under way, the creative team begin to attach actors to
the script (preferably ‘A-List’ Celebs).
Heads of each department that are overseeing the project begin
negotiations with well-respected financers.
Once negotiations with financers are complete, the producer will have
an estimated budget is for the film. A production schedule will be
made before any of the budget is spent.
Financial investors will then be shown how the producer intends to
make a profit/pay them back.
With every process of the project completed, the financial backers and
the creative team will commence filming of the project.
7. The producer must travel to find a suitable financial backing in each
country where the film will be distributed.
The film will look or private individuals, production companies and
public bodies to invest in the film.
Once financial backing has been achieved, the contracts will be drawn
up.
The producer can raise money through pre-sales such as distributing
teaser trailers/ posters.
Loans and commercial investments will be obtained if the budget of
the film is considered too low for the project. Insurance bonds are
usually put in place to secure the investments.
Once all funding has been acquired and the insurance is secure, the
film gets the go-ahead.
8. Once all the heads of the department are in place, pre-production
begins in its earliest.
The casting director begins the long process of indentifying and
casting actors.
Storyboards will be drawn up as a blueprint for the film.
The production designer plan every aspect of hw the film is going to
look. The designer will also hire certain staff to create each segment of
the film.
Special effect artists plan (in high detail) each edit/shot which
contains any degree of special effect.
9. This is the first major step of production, full funding is given and
everyone on staff gets to work on making the film.
The camera crew are key at this moment,. Its up to them to get the
footage that the director and producer need to show the story.
Once the effects are ready, such as; lighting, angles, sound etc, and the
characters are fully prepared its time to start filming.
The actors are a crucial part of the filming because they need to
portray their character as real people.
If the film contains special effects, a special effects manager will
construct every effect that will go with the shot.
Throughout filming is imperative that everyone is on-time and not
falling behind schedules.
10. As footage is filmed and given to the editor it is then assembled into
scenes showing the story.
Then the audio department takes the scene and creates/edits the
sound for it.
The locked footage is given to special effects where compositors add-
in the effects.
After every production department has edited the locked footage it is
then finalized by the director and producer. The finished film is then
ready to be mass-produced.
11. The producers secures the help and advice of a sales agent, that is a
specialist in film sales.
For the film to sell it needs a strong promotional plan, this is when a
trailer is made and shown to possible film buyers.
Producer and sales agent gets a manifest of the promotional items
they need to sell the film to distributors.
Its important that your film stands out from other films needing a
film buyer.
With enough money a high-profile viewing of the film is sure to get
loads of attention.
Once it’s clear the film is a huge success then the producer can start
talking deals with distributors.
12. The marketing team will get together and analysis how the audience
reacts to the film.
The target audience is then highlight and posters, trailers, TV spots,
internet viral, websites and other marketing materials are produced
for the film to gain more attention. This will then lead to word-of-
mouth, as the public share more news with each other regarding the
film.
The distributors then make deals with cinemas so that the film can
been screen in places all over the world.
13. A film premiere is then shown to, mainly, celebrities which will bring
high media attention.
Cinemas across the country all screen the film for the public to pay
and go see.
The distributors supply the exhibitors with prints of the film, so it can
be shown more in cinemas and increase its over all box office
performance.
The revenue from the film’s screenings is then used to payback the
exhibitors and cover the costs of marketing.
With the rest of the profit, financers recover their investments that
were used in the film’s production
14. The film could be sold off to other exhibitors to make much more
money;
Hotel Channels, In-Flight Entertainment
Dvd’s, Videos, Blu-ray
Broadcasting
Rights for computer games/ product licences
Once the film has achieved a high profit, the producers and key
production staff can have their share.