Film

Overview

There are three stages to film production - pre-production, production and post-production. PRE-PRODUCTION is the planning stage where the Producer sources a screenplay, appoints a Director and then together they investigate filming locations, costume and set design, and lighting. It is the Producer's responsibility to ensure that all these elements fall within a specified budget.

Set construction begins during this phase, and casting is carried out. A series of pictures depicting the plot of the film (a Storyboard) is developed and this acts as a visual guideline for the filming process.

The PRODUCTION phase is when filming is taking place. A Call Sheet is used throughout filming, and provides a list of times and days that specific actors are required on set. Most main actors have stand-ins, which are alternative actors used in the set up and preparation of each scene. Filming is never carried out in sequence as scenes shot at the same location/set, are filmed together.

Each day the Producer and Director review the Rushes/Dailies, the day's filming, so they know how the film is progressing and what they need to re-shoot.

POST-PRODUCTION is when the film is edited and the best takes or pieces are cut and put together in correct sequence to create a story. Sound effects are also added during Post-production, and because sound recording equipment only picks up human voices, 80% of the movie's sound is usually recorded after the movie has been filmed.

Once the movie is complete, it is then distributed by a Distribution Company such as Warner Bros. or Village Roadshow. These distribution companies are responsible for the marketing of the film including all advertising, publicity and promotions.

Profits from the movie come from the exhibition through the box office, video rental, video sales, television and pay television, merchandise and soundtracks.