1. By Anthony Richards

2. 1 – The Idea
 Sources of inspiration – real events, books, plays, films
and original ideas.
 Then a producer is hired and/or starts the project.
 Then the producer finds a director or vice versa, and
he makes it a reality.
 Then a writer is taken on to get the script moving.
They write a treatment of the main events and
characters. They then make a pitch that shows a
development summary and a plot in one.

3. Development Finance
 The producer shows the treatment and uses business
skills to get money for a script.
 This may come from film production companies,
other businesses interested in the rights to the film
post- release.
 From public funding (e.g.. UK Film Council) or from
private sources.

4. Script Development
 The writer makes a synopsis of the key events in the
film.
 Then they create step outline to plan the story.
 The writer delivers several drafts of the script to
perfect the idea.
 The financers then add their own ideas to the script.
 When all the ideas are collected it becomes the final
draft and the writer gets paid.
 Then a sales treatment is written to sell the film to
financers.

5. Packaging
 The producer and director package the script into a
full business idea for financers.
 The project developers then try to add famous stars
to the film to make it more likely to make a profit.
 Famous heads of departments – editors and
production designers make it easier to convince
financers.
 The producers then works out how much it will cost
to make the film.
 The producer then works out who to approach for
money and estimates how much profit it will make.
 The producer then presents the idea to the financers.

6. Financing
 The producer may have to travel all over the world to
find financers.
 The producer then draws contracts with private
individuals, production companies and public
bodies.
 The producer also gets money from selling the film
rights before it is made.
 Some banks also offer money and loans with interest.
 Most financers want a completion bond as insurance
for the film.
 Once all of the funding and insurance is done the
film is given the “green light”.

7. Pre - Production
 The script is given to the Heads of Department and
this begins pre-production.
 The casting director starts bringing actors on board.
 The director and the director and photography then
storyboard every shot in the film.
 The production designer plans every part of the
film’s look and hires people to build and design each
set.
 Effects shots are planned in detail and can take
months to design and build.
 The 1st AD, the line producer and the production
manager manage all the money and day-to-day
problems.

8. The Shoot
 Shooting starts, and the funds are released.
 The camera department gets all the footage that
shows the story.
 The lighting and sound have to be set up and the hair
and make-up are checked before the shot can begin.
 The actors have to make the story believable while
not being distracted by the other departments.
 Every effect is carefully built and has to be filmed
with the least risk of injury to the cast and the crew.
 Films have to be on a tight schedule or the financers
and insurance companies my shut it down.

9. Post – Production
 As the film comes the editor, puts it together into
scenes and puts them in order.
 Once filming is finished, the sound department
works on the sound for the film, making and editing
the soundtrack.
 Digital effects are added by specialists along title and
credit sequences.
 The last stage of the editing is to change the colour
and create the overall aesthetic feel.
 After shooting is finished the sound mix goes to a
dubbing studio where the sound mixer perfects it.
 After the final cut the film is finished completely and
it goes to whoever has the rights to it.

10. Sales
 To help the producer sell the film the producer hires
a sales agent.
 The producer will then have a trailer made to help
sell the film to distributors.
 The producer and sales agent collect everything they
need to sell the film.
 The producer has to fight to get the film noticed by
distributors.
 A screening at a big film festival generates publicity
for the film.
 The film is now a potential success and negotiates
deals with distributors worldwide.

11. Marketing
 To help sell the film, the producer secures a sales
agent.
 The marketing team runs test screenings to test
audience reception.
 The marketing team release posters, trailers, TV
spots, and other marketing materials.
 TV, radio, papers, and magazines review the film
and raise the profile.
 Internet marketing campaigns are used to gain
publicity.
 The distributors negotiate deals with cinemas to
screen the film.

12. Exhibition
 A premiere is launched to get the media’s attention,
using well-known stars.
 The film is then shown in the largest possible
number of cinema screens worldwide.
 Distributors supply cinemas with copies of the film.
 Cinemas take their share of the profits, after which
the distributors pay for their recoup marketing costs.
 Once the distributor has been paid, the financers can
be paid for their investments, according the
recoupment schedule.

13. After The Film
The film is sold to hotel pay-per-view channels and
on planes to make an extra profit.
 The film is then released on DVD and this can make
more profit than the cinema release.
 Another source of profit is selling to broadcast
companies.
 Also, video games can be licensed to bring in extra
profit.
 Once the film has made a profit, the producer and
others involved in production can take their share of
the product.
 The final income is never known , distribution
carries on forever and it may be re-released in future.