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

The Key StagesThe Key StagesDevelopmentDevelopmentPre-productionPre-productionProductionProductionPost-productionPost-productionDistributionDistribution

DEVELOPMENTDEVELOPMENT

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

ProducerProducer

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 A script treatment - ten or more

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

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

Proposed budget - rough guide to Proposed budget - rough guide to priceprice

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

narrative momentsnarrative moments Key personnel - stars, director, DOP, Key personnel - stars, director, DOP,

etcetc Potential spin-offs, merchandising Potential spin-offs, merchandising

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

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

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

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

EXERCISEEXERCISE

Titanic $200,000,000Spiderman 2 $200,000,000Waterworld $175,000,000The,Wild,Wild West $175,000,000Van Helsing $170,000,000Terminator 3 $170,000,000Troy $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 – DOP and the camera crewCinematography – DOP and the camera crew Production Design – Art direction and dressersProduction Design – Art direction and dressers Actors – Method and typical dayActors – Method and typical day Sound – Booms, fishpoles and DATsSound – Booms, fishpoles and DATs

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

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 Part of larger company and

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

Target right audience - test Target right audience - test screenings, p&a campaign.screenings, 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 Timing - school holidays for

blockbusters, Jan-March for potential blockbusters, Jan-March for potential award winnersaward winners

Competition - too many blockbusters, Competition - too many blockbusters, too crowdedtoo crowded

MARKETINGMARKETING Can cost as much as the filmCan cost as much as the film Must create the “must see” factor - Must create the “must see” factor -

word of mouthword of mouth Marketing mix - posters, trailers, Marketing mix - posters, trailers,

media ads, internet, promotions, media ads, internet, promotions, merchandising, premieres, press merchandising, premieres, press junkets, previews and festivalsjunkets, previews and festivals