Film production

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 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 $200,000,000Spiderman 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 – 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 Part of larger company and

automatically distribute filmautomatically distribute film $60 billion global film entertainment $60 billion global film entertainment

businessbusiness

RELEASE CYCLES0 months Theatrical release3 months Airline4-6 months Hotel pay-per-view6 months PPV/Video-on-demand6 months DVD rental6-12 months DVD sale18 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 - word Must create the “must see” factor - word of mouthof mouth

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

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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