http://www.skillset.

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Production Process
Inspiration These are the sources which they
will use to seek ideas for a film, e.g. TV, Example
Newspaper and books.
Producer This is the person who will stay with
the production all the way through, from start
to end.
Director The director is chosen by the producer,
IDEA and inputs his ideas into the production
Writer Chosen by the producer, who clarifies
the plot, characters etc.
Treatment A one page description (inc.
characters) written by the writer
Pitch A crucial part so that the producer can
‘sell’ the film to financiers.

Pitching The Project Producers uses ‘treatment Example

& pitch’ to sell the film to financiers
Production Companies Producer approaches
these companies for development monies
Sales/Distribution/Broadcast The Producers
Development
offers broadcast rights in return for money
Finance Public Investment The producer can also apply
for money from public funding companies such
as UK Film Council
Private Finance The Producer pitches the film to
these for money in return for advertising etc.
Tying Down the Writer The producer will now
use the money invested to secure the writer
Synopsis The producer and writer agree on key Example
points of the film (scenes & events)
Step Outline The writer (in conjunction with
producer) creates a detailed plan of events for the
Script film
Development Drafts First ever copy of the script is written to be
proof read many times
Revision Draft is sent to financiers for their input
Final Draft When everyone is happy this is done, and
the writer gets paid
Sales Treatment Final stage of script development
which includes events to help market it..

What is it? Where the film is put into a Example

commercial package so that they can plan the
finance side of the film
Cast The film could include well-known actors to
help market the film
Packaging Head of Departments Appointed to keep
control over certain aspects
Budget & Schedule How much will it cost to
make
Finance & Recoupment plan The investors will
want to know how the plan on getting their
money back
 Market To maxims investment the producer Example
must look on a international scale
Investment All companies draw up contracts
including their terms & conditions
Pre-sales selling the rights to distribute the film
before production has begun
Financing Banks & cap funding some departments of
Banks offer commercial funding including film
making
Completion bonds Demands put in place by
financiers to ensure their part of the deal
Green light once all deals are put in place the
‘go ahead’ is given to begin production

Kick-off Meeting Shooting script is circulated Example

between the ‘HoD’
Casting the producer & director decide who is
going to star in their film
Pre- Storyboarding blueprint of the film where every
shot is planned
Production Production design This includes all set designs
costume designs etc.
Special Effects Planning these are planned in
much more details as they can take months to
prepare
Production unit The ‘HoDs’ decide who is going
to play a major part in production
First day of photography funding is released, and the Example
shoot begins
Camera the department that get the film that is
required to tell the film
Lighting & sound this is vital to help create certain
The Shoot effects with a film
Acting Actors must create a emotional world to draw
the audience in
Special Physical effects the shoot of special effects,
some are done first to get out of the way
Chain of command All communication must be “spot
on” as any slip up may cause huge consequences

Rough-cut The initial film put together by the Example

editor as a result of the filming
Post production sound the sound department
work on enhancing sound within the film
Post- Digital effects (titles) added by effect
compositors to inform the audience
Production Grade & colour edited by the editor who finds
the right colour effects for certain scenes
Final Mix Sound mix goes through a ‘dubbing
theatre’ (sets the final levels)
Final Cut upon completion it is duplicated for
obvious reasons
 Selling the product Sales agent included to help Example
smooth the process of selling to distributers
The Trailer includes scenes from the film to help
sell the film (advertisement)
Sales Toolkit the producer and agent collate all
items they will need to help sell the film
Sales Take film to market they take the film to
distributers to help find the best deals
Screenings These are done to create hype
around a film
Deals Now the producer has shown off their
film, people will want to be a part of it (have a
part of the profits)

Marketing Team The sales agent helps involve Example

many people into the sale of a film
Audience The team run test showings to see
how the audience reacts to it
Advertising This is key to get the message out to
Marketing the right audience in the right way
Press & media coverage used to create a
positive word of mouth about a film
Internet & marketing models many people are
targeted online as this is the major factor in
technology these days
Selling to exhibitors Distributor must negotiate
deals with cinemas to show the film
The premiere Used for public exposure of the Example
film – ODEAN, Leicester Square
UK Cinemas the film is then shown nationwide
(worldwide) in various cinemas
Prints & logistics Distributors supply the
Exhibition cinemas with the footage to show on the big
screens
Revenues the exhibitors take their share from
the receipts, then the distributors get the
remnants
Recoupment Financiers begin to see a return,
depending upon finance plan
Hospitality the film could be sent into hotels for Example
their film channels, or even used for in-flight
entertainment
Other DVD The film could be put onto DVD to
maximise their profits
Windows Broadcast The film could also be put out onto
TV, such as Sky Premiere etc.
Games The Film could be made into a computer
game for a games console
Profit the producer and co can reap rewards
from the money the film makes, and go onto
other ventures
End there is never a end to a film, it constantly
goes on and on.