The Key StagesThe Key Stages

Of Film ProductionOf Film Production

FILM PRODUCTIONFILM PRODUCTION

The Key Stages of The Key Stages of productionproduction

DevelopmentDevelopmentPre-productionPre-productionProductionProductionPost-productionPost-production

Distribution/marketing (next phase)Distribution/marketing (next phase)

DEVELOPMENTDEVELOPMENT

Finding FinanceFinding Finance Script developmentScript development

Stars (getting actors)Stars (getting actors) DirectorDirector

Other Key CrewOther Key Crew Role of the ProducerRole of the Producer

The production company may be either a small company or a larger one, selling its products to a film studio or presenting it at a theatrical venue, or, in the case of film and television, it may be

the studio itself. A coproduction is a theatrical presentation or film made by more than one company or a Conglomerate of multiple companies. It is common for actors to form their own

production companies so that they can have more control over their own careers.

The packageThe package

A script treatment - ten or more pages A script treatment - ten or more pages concerning storylines, characters and locationsconcerning storylines, characters and locations

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

Proposed budget - rough guide to priceProposed budget - rough guide to price Visual representation of key narrative momentsVisual representation of key narrative moments Key personnel - stars, director, DOP, etcKey personnel - stars, director, DOP, etc Potential spin-offs, merchandising and tie-ins - Potential spin-offs, merchandising and tie-ins -

all its money making potential.all its money making potential.

Securing FinanceSecuring Finance

- Can be complex and very lengthyCan be complex and very lengthy

- Must attract potential investorsMust attract potential investors

- Generate confidence in film’s ability to create revenueGenerate confidence in film’s ability to create revenue

- Returns can be enormousReturns can be enormous

- But very risky and can flopBut very risky and can flop

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

- Blockbusters attract more than low budgetBlockbusters attract more than low budget

- Only one in ten films make significant financial return!

FINANCEFINANCE

100% financing 100% financing - a studio or other - 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 Multi-party financing - the - the independent producer typically raises independent producer typically raises finance from a host of sources.finance from a host of sources.

EXERCISEEXERCISE

Titanic $200,000,000

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….

1) 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

Camera crew and equipmentCamera crew and equipment Sound crew & sound equipment/microphonesSound crew & sound equipment/microphones Lighting crew and lighting equipmentLighting crew and lighting equipment Production Design – Art direction and dressersProduction Design – Art direction and dressers Actors – Method and typical dayActors – Method and typical day Costumes/props, Make-up and hairCostumes/props, Make-up and hair Special FX – green screens and bloodSpecial FX – green screens and blood

POST-PRODUCTIONPOST-PRODUCTION

EditingEditing Re-shootsRe-shoots Sound mixingSound mixing FoleyFoley MusicMusic

FILM DISTRIBUTIONFILM DISTRIBUTION

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 Part of larger company and automatically Part of larger company and automatically

distribute film (conglomerate)distribute film (conglomerate)

The global film entertainment business is The global film entertainment business is worth a whopping….$60 billion!!!worth a whopping….$60 billion!!!

CIRCULATIONCIRCULATION

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

Release cycleRelease cycleLength of time

Where/what?

Start Theatrical release

3 months Airline

4-6 months Hotel pay-per-view

6 months DVD rental + PPV/Video-on-demand

6-12 months DVD sale

18 months Pay-TV (eg FilmFour, Sky)

36 months Free-TV (eg BBC1)

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

Release times/datesRelease times/dates

Fridays (start of weekend when people Fridays (start of weekend when people go out)go out)

Seasonal….Seasonal….(christmas/halloween/valentines)(christmas/halloween/valentines)

School holidays for blockbustersSchool holidays for blockbusters Jan-March for potential award winners Jan-March for potential award winners

(Oscars)(Oscars)

Competition - too many blockbusters, too crowded Competition - too many blockbusters, too crowded (might lose to the big films if you are small)(might lose to the big films if you are small)

Target audienceTarget audience

Sometimes films go the extra mile to Sometimes films go the extra mile to ensure it will be successfulensure it will be successful

They do things to make sure audiences They do things to make sure audiences do in fact enjoy/understand filmdo in fact enjoy/understand film

They do things like…They do things like…– test screeningstest screenings– And then……Focus group study (ask questions)And then……Focus group study (ask questions)

Read test screening in media magazine*Read test screening in media magazine*