http://www.skillset.org/film/business/# 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 ͚sell͛ the film to financiers.

Pitching The Project Producers uses ͚treatment Example & pitch͛ to sell the film to financiers Production Companies Producer approaches these companies for development monies Development Sales/Distribution/Broadcast The Producers 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 Packaging help market the film 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 ahead͛ is given to begin production

Kick-off Meeting Shooting script is circulated Example between the ͚HoD͛ 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 ͚HoDs͛ 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 on͟ 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 Production compositors to inform the audience Grade & colour edited by the editor who finds the right colour effects for certain scenes M Final ix Sound mix goes through a ͚dubbing theatre͛ (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 M Advertising This is key to get the message out to arketing 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 ʹ ODEAN, Leicester Square UK Cinemas the film is then shown nationwide (worldwide) in various cinemas Exhibition Prints & logistics Distributors supply the 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.