FILM PRODUCTIONFILM PRODUCTIONThe Five Key StagesThe Five Key StagesOf Film ProductionOf Film Production

The Key StagesThe Key Stages

DevelopmentDevelopmentPre-productionPre-productionProductionProductionPost-productionPost-productionDistributionDistribution

DEVELOPMENTDEVELOPMENT

Finding FinanceFinding Finance Script developmentScript development StarsStars DirectorDirector Other Key CrewOther Key Crew Role of the ProducerRole of the Producer

SECURING FINANCE

-Can be complex and very lengthy

-Must attract potential investors

-Generate confidence in film’s ability to create revenue

-Returns can be enormous

-But very risky

-The higher the film’s profile, the more likely to attract investors

-Blockbusters attract more than low budget

-Only one in ten films make significant financial return

The packageThe package A script treatment - ten or more pages A script treatment - ten or more pages

concerning storylines, characters and concerning storylines, characters and locations.locations.

Generic profile of film - help investors to Generic profile of film - help investors to “place” film in marketplace (potential “place” film in marketplace (potential audience)audience)

Proposed budget - rough guide to priceProposed budget - rough guide to price

The package continuedThe package continued Visual representation of key narrative Visual representation of key narrative

momentsmoments Key personnel - stars, director, DOP, etcKey personnel - stars, director, DOP, etc Potential spin-offs, merchandising and tie-Potential spin-offs, merchandising and tie-

ins - all its money making potential.ins - all its money making potential.

FINANCEFINANCE 100% financing 100% financing - a studio or other - a studio or other

backer gives 100% of the film’s budget in backer gives 100% of the film’s budget in return for full ownership of the film.return for full ownership of the film.

Multi-party f inancing Multi-party f inancing - the independent - the independent producer typically raises finance from a producer typically raises finance from a host of sources.host of sources.

EXERCISEEXERCISE

Titanic $200,000,000

Spiderman 2 $200,000,000

Waterworld $175,000,000

The,Wild,Wild West $175,000,000

Van Helsing $170,000,000

Terminator 3 $170,000,000

Troy $150,000,000

With a partner, look at the list of the biggest film budgets and discuss what factors do you think helped secure such huge amounts of investment in these films?

PRE-PRODUCTIONPRE-PRODUCTION Finalising ScriptFinalising Script SchedulingScheduling BudgetingBudgeting CastingCasting Crew contractsCrew contracts StoryboardingStoryboarding Location scoutingLocation scouting Equipment hireEquipment hire

PRODUCTIONPRODUCTION

Cinematography – cinematographer & camera Cinematography – cinematographer & camera crewcrew

Production Design – Art direction and dressersProduction Design – Art direction and dressers Actors – rehearse, act, shootActors – rehearse, act, shoot Sound – Booms, mics etcSound – Booms, mics etc

PRODUCTIONPRODUCTION Costumes, Make-up and hairCostumes, Make-up and hair Special FX – green screens and bloodSpecial FX – green screens and blood EditingEditing Production TeamProduction Team

POST-PRODUCTIONPOST-PRODUCTION EditingEditing Re-shootsRe-shoots Sound mixingSound mixing ADRADR FoleyFoley MusicMusic LaboratoriesLaboratories

Stages (brief)Stages (brief)STAGESDevelopment -ideas for the film

-legal issues (ownership/music etc) -rights to books/plays are bought (if borrowed)-screenplay is written

Pre-production -Preparations are made for the shoot -cast and film crew are hired-locations are selected-sets are built

Production -The raw elements for the finished film are recorded. (filmed using cameras/mics etc)

Post-production -The film is edited-production sound (dialogue) is concurrently (but separately) edited-music tracks (and songs) are composed, performed and recorded-if a film is sought to have a score; sound effects are designed and recorded; -any other computer-graphic 'visual' effects are digitally added, all sound elements are mixed into "stems" then the stems are mixed then married to picture -film is fully completed ("locked")

DISTRIBUTIONDISTRIBUTION Launching a film in the marketplaceLaunching a film in the marketplace Distributor acquires rights to filmDistributor acquires rights to film Could invest in film at beginningCould invest in film at beginning Buy rights after film madeBuy rights after film made Part of larger company and automatically Part of larger company and automatically

distribute filmdistribute film $60 billion global film entertainment $60 billion global film entertainment

businessbusiness

RELEASE CYCLES

0 months Theatrical release

3 months Airline

4-6 months Hotel pay-per-view

6 months PPV/Video-on-demand

6 months DVD rental

6-12 months DVD sale

18 months Pay-TV (eg FilmFour, Sky)

36 months Free-TV (eg BBC1)

Further revenues are available from soundtracks, merchandise, sponsorship and long term library sales.

POSITIONINGPOSITIONING

How and when to release a film - a crucial How and when to release a film - a crucial decision. Want to avoid slow times or decision. Want to avoid slow times or event films. Cinema release date event films. Cinema release date important for DVD release.important for DVD release.

Target right audience - test screenings, Target right audience - test screenings, p&a campaign.p&a campaign.

CIRCULATION AND RELEASECIRCULATION AND RELEASE How many copies of film to circulate?How many copies of film to circulate? Saturation 700-1000 printsSaturation 700-1000 prints Arthouse 20 printsArthouse 20 prints Timing - school holidays for blockbusters, Timing - school holidays for blockbusters,

Jan-March for potential award winnersJan-March for potential award winners Competition - too many blockbusters, too Competition - too many blockbusters, too

crowdedcrowded

MARKETINGMARKETING Can cost as much as the filmCan cost as much as the film

Must create the “must see” factor - word of Must create the “must see” factor - word of mouthmouth

Marketing mix - posters, trailers, media Marketing mix - posters, trailers, media ads, internet, promotions, merchandising, ads, internet, promotions, merchandising, premieres, press junkets, previews and premieres, press junkets, previews and festivalsfestivals

Key TermsKey Terms Securing finance (funding)Securing finance (funding) InvestorsInvestors RevenueRevenue Financial returnFinancial return BlockbusterBlockbuster 100% finance100% finance Multi-party financeMulti-party finance ProducerProducer Budget & proposed budgetBudget & proposed budget financialfinancial

DevelopmentDevelopment Pre-productionPre-production ProductionProduction Location scoutingLocation scouting Post-productionPost-production Distribution & distributor Distribution & distributor Release cycle Release cycle Further revenueFurther revenue Circulation & release Circulation & release

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