When it comes to making films, pre-production formally begins once a project has been given the green light. This is when the finalising preparations for the product come into effect, including financing, cast members, director and cinematographer. By the time the pre-production is completed, the screenplay itself tends to be completed and to the standards of the financiers and stakeholders.
Pre-production is also when the script is broken down into different scenes, locations, props, cast members, special effects, costumes and visual effects are chosen. After this has been done, as schedule is created and arrangements are made for these things to be available to the crew at the times they are needed. On top of this, the sets are built, the crew is hired and a start date for the beginning of principal photography is decided upon. Also, there tends to be a table read of the whole script with all the members of the cast who have speaking roles. By the end of pre-production, the screenplay tends to be page-locked and scene-numbered to avoid any confusion, but additions and deletions can still be made.
Production
Production is when the film is created and shot. More crew will be hired at this point for a wide range of tasks including:
- Property Master
- Script Supervisor
- Assistant Directors
- Stills Photographer
- Picture Editor
- Sound Editors
A typical day's shooting begins with the crew arriving on the set/location by their call time. Actors usually have their own separate call times. Since set construction, dressing and lighting can take many hours or even days, they are often set up in advance. The grip, electric and production design crews are typically a step ahead of the camera and sound departments, so while a scene is being filmed, they are already preparing the next one.
While the crew prepare their equipment, the actors are wardrobed in their costumes and attend the hair and make-up departments. The actors rehearse the script and blocking with the director, and the camera and sound crews rehearse with them and make final tweaks. Finally, the action is shot in as many takes as the director wishes.
At the end of the day, the director approves the next day's shooting schedule and a daily progress report is sent to the production office. This includes the report sheets from continuity, sound, and camera teams. Call sheets are distributed to the cast and crew to tell them when and where to turn up the next shooting day.
Post-production
Post-production is when the film is put together by the film editor. The shot film material is edited, along with the production sound (dialogue), music tracks are recorded and sound effects are created and recorded. Any CGI visual effects are digitally added, then all sound elements are mixed and connected to the picture.
Distribution
This is the final stage, where the film is released to cinemas or, occasionally, directly to consumer media (DVD, VCD, VHS, Blu-ray) or direct download from a digital media provider. The film is duplicated as required and distributed to cinemas for screening. Press kits, posters, and other advertising materials are published, and the film is advertised and promoted.
Film distributors usually release a film with a launch party, a red-carpet premiere, press releases, interviews with the press, press preview screenings, and film festival screenings. Most films are also promoted with their own website separate from those of the production company or distributor.
A film may first be released to a few select cinemas, or if it tests well enough, may go directly into wide release. Next, it is released, normally at different times several weeks (or months) apart, into different market segments like rental, retail, pay-per-view, in-flight entertainment, satellite, or free-to-air broadcast television. The distribution rights for the film are also usually sold for worldwide distribution. The distributor and the production company share profits.
Independent filmmaking
Filmmaking also takes place outside of the mainstream. Filmmakers can conceivably shoot and edit a film, create and edit the sound and music, and mix the final cut on a home computer. However, while the means of production may be democratized, financing, traditional distribution, and marketing remain difficult to accomplish outside the traditional system. In the past, most independent filmmakers have relied on film festivals (such as Sundance, Venice, Cannes and Toronto film festivals) to get their films noticed and sold for distribution and production.
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