Film Production

Development:
The process of finding a story. Ideas for films come from a variety of sources;
they can range from novels, real life events to computer game adaptions. Once
youve got an idea youll need someone to write a pitch for you which you take to
a film producer in an attempt to get some funding to make your film. Even at
this very early stage you need a very clear idea of who youre aiming your film at
so you can include elements that will appeal to them.
Pre-production:
Once youve got funding you establish your budget and can begin to get a film
crew together, you can storyboard the script. You also need to break the script
down into individual scenes and identify all the locations, props, cast members,
costumes, special effects and visual effects needed.
Production:
The process of making the film. Provided youve done your job properly in the
pre-production stage making the film should be straight forward. Film is very
expensive and difficult to store so an increasing number of film makers are
using digital cameras to save money.
Post-production:
During this stage you take all the film youve shot and give it to a film editor.
They will then begin putting it together. Special effects will be added, a
soundtrack will be added, any missing dialogue will be re-recorded and added
resulting in a rough cut. This will be shown to the director and a test audience
who will offer feedback. Often this causes scenes to be filmed and added or
removed.

Writer:
To take either a pre-written story, or even a native story idea, and translate it
into an effective screenplay is the primary role of a Screenwriter in the Film
industry. Having said that, there is much more to this process than meets the
eye. It is not as straightforward as writing a normal story, for the simple
reason that the communication is audio-visual, and not literary.
There are some very important aspects that need to be carefully observed.
Some of these aspects may be generic to good story-writing such as character
development, believable characters, story and engaging plot points, regardless
of the story-telling medium.

Producer:
Producers have overall control on every aspect of a film's production. They
bring together and approve the whole production team. Their key responsibility
is to create an environment where the talents of the cast and crew can flourish.
Producers are accountable for the success of the finished film. They steer the
film from beginning to completion and beyond. The Producer is often the first
person to get involved in a project. Or they may be the agent-style Producer
who focuses on the deal. The many responsibilities of the Producer span all four
phases of production. In the Development stage, Producers are often
responsible for coming up with the idea for a production, or selecting a
screenplay. Producers secure the rights, choose the screenwriter and story

editing team. They raise the development financing and supervise the
development process.

Casting director:
In pre-production, Casting Directors work with both
the Director and Producer to assemble the perfect cast for the film. As a
result, Casting Directors must have in-depth and up-to-date knowledge of new
and existing acting talent. They are responsible for matching the ideal actor to
each role, based on a number of factors, such as the actor's experience, ability,
reputation, availability and box office appeal. Casting Directors also work closely
with Production Accountants to prepare the casting budget. They organise and
conduct interviews and auditions for each part, and are also in charge of
offering each Actor an appropriate fee to appear in the film. They also draw up
and negotiate the terms and conditions of contracts with agents.

Director:
Directors are responsible for creatively translating the film's written script
into actual images and sounds on the screen. They are ultimately responsible for
a film's artistic and commercial success or failure. Directors may write the
film's script or commission it to be written, or they may be hired after an early
draft of the script is complete. They must then develop a vision for the finished
film and work out how to achieve it. During pre-production, Directors make
crucial decisions, such as selecting the right cast, crew and locations for the
film. They then direct rehearsals and the performances of the actors once the
film is in production. They also manage the technical aspects of filming
including the camera, sound, lighting, design and special effects departments.

Film finance:
There are two types of Financial Controllers:
1. A large production company, studio or broadcaster may employ a
Production Accountant or qualified Accountant as a Financial Controller,
to manage the finances of all of the company's activities, including those
of individual productions.
2. On larger productions, a freelance Senior Production Accountant may
work as a Financial Controller to oversee the work of the Production
Accountant and Accounts team.
The role of a Financial Controller is very challenging. They are responsible for
controlling the accounting, taxation and financial analysis for all of the work a
company does, including development, production and distribution.

Camera operator:
Camera Operators carry out the Director of Photographys (DoP)
and Directors instructions for shot composition and development. They are
usually the first people to use the camera's eyepiece to assess how all the
elements of performance, art direction, lighting, composition and camera
movement come together to create the cinematic experience.
Camera Operators usually start at the end of pre-production and attend
technical recces with other Heads of Department. They work closely with the
Director of Photography, Director and Grip, and are responsible for the First
Assistant Camera (1st AC), Second Assistant Camera (2nd AC) and the Camera
Trainee.

Editor:
Editors are
one of the
key Heads of Department on feature films, responsible for First Assistant
Editors, and on bigger productions, Second Assistants and Trainees. The Editor
works closely with the Director, crafting the daily rushes into a coherent whole.
To ensure that the story flows effortlessly from beginning to end, each shot is
carefully chosen and edited into a series of scenes, which are in turn assembled
to create the finished film. Editors work long, unsociable hours, often under
pressure, in an edit suite. They are employed on a freelance basis by
the Producer (sometimes with the approval of the film's financiers), based on
their reputation and experience. Editors often work on television drama, as well
as on feature films. The Editor works closely with the Director before shooting
begins, deciding how to maximise the potential of the screenplay. Editors check
the technical standards, as well as the emerging sense of story, and the actors'
performances.

Production designer:
Production Designers are major heads of department on film crews, and are
responsible for the entire art department. They help Directors to define and
achieve the look and feel of a film. Filming locations may range from a Victorian
parlour, to a late-night caf, to the interior of an alien space ship. The look of a
set or location is vital in drawing the audience into the story and making a film
convincing. A great deal of work and imagination goes into constructing the
backdrop to any story and choosing or building locations and/or sets. Production
Designers begin work at the very early stages of pre-production. They may be
asked to look at scripts to provide spending estimates before a Director is even
approached. On first reading a screenplay, they assess the visual qualities that
will help to create atmosphere and bring the story to life.

Marketing:
Marketing and Publicity Manager-

The Marketing and Publicity Managers' main responsibility is to convince the

public that this is a 'must-see' movie. Once Distributors have identified the
target audiences and potential revenue, the marketing campaign should reach
target audiences before and during film releases.
Marketing assistantMarketing Assistants are involved in the development and implementation of
marketing projects and schemes related to film releases. They report to the
Head of Marketing, or to the Marketing and Publicity Manager, and assist in
creating and planning various on-going campaigns. Marketing Assistants often
coordinate market research projects, and use the data to help assess current
the effectiveness of campaigns and to help with future marketing schemes.
Marketing manager:
As a marketing manager you would plan the direction of all marketing activity on
a campaign. You would use your creativity and expertise to think of new ways of
delivering your message to the customer. You could be in charge of a number of
campaigns and manage and motivate people in the marketing team to make sure
that each campaign is successful.

Exhibition:
An event at which objects such as paintings are shown to the public, a
situation in which someone shows a particular skillor quality to the public, or the

act of showing these things: The photographs will be on exhibition until the end
of the month. There's a new exhibition of sculpture on at the city gallery. The
athlete's third, and winning, jump was an exhibition of skill and strength.