The Business - Understanding Film Making

The Business - Understanding Film Making

The Idea:
Sources of information: Number of films based on real life events. True stories can capture the imagination of the audiences. The stories can be found in newspapers, magazines and other forms of media. Having a good eye for a story is a vital skill for any film writer. Producers: They look for a great idea for a film, something which will entice the audience. They are often the creative and commercial driving force behind the project.Directors: Directors are involved very early in the development process and if they have an idea for a film they will approach a producer to take the idea forward. They are many roles in directing these are, writer-directors, directors and producers. Writers: Producer, director and writer are the key creative triangle in the film industry. The writer clarifies the idea. The plot, the main character turns it into something more 3D. Treatment: It's a description of key events and people in a film. Well written and fits the genre of the film. It should provide the reader with an idea of what makes the film unique and interesting to watch. Pitch: 

• One liner - This is a one sentence description of the film.
• Genre - defines the characteristics of the film.
• Market - It is sometimes known as the target audience this answers vital questions for film makers and finances.
• People attached - a list of people attached to the project at this stage plus their credits.
• Rough Budget - Gives the producer an idea of what the film will cost to take.
• Brief Synopsis = Expands a little on the one liner, for people who want more detail.

Development Finance:

1. Pitching the project - development finding is money used to support the writer, producer and director for making a scipt to pitch to the investory.
2. Production companies - producers approach film companies for development money and the company ask for rights back.
3. Sale companies, broadcasters and distribution companies ask for selling and viewing rights after giving money.
4. Public distribution investment they approach small companies.

Script Development:

1. Writer and producer, produces a synopsis and works closely together.
2. Step outline - contains short written descriptions of all the scenes that make the script. Each step describes the plot events and significant developments to the characters.
3. Drafts include actions and events which will be seen and will explain more about what the character's say .
4. Revisions - writes and gets the scrips editors to help them.
5. Final draft, director, producer and writer all have to improve. The writer recieves a fee.
6. Sales treatment synopsis designed to sell the film to the financers.

Packaging:

• Package - Includes final draft, sales treatment and a rough budget - roughly how much funding that could be secured for the script.
• The cast - To make the project more commercial, well known starts need to be attached to the script. Producers get into contact with the actors through their agents.
• The Heads of Department includes - Director of photography, production designer and so on.
• Detailed budget and production schedule - The producer must know how much it will cost to make the film. The production scedule is how long it will take to shoot and when will it be finished.
• Finance plan and recoupment schedule - The finance plan is how the producer plans to raise finance for the film. Recoupment schedule is an estimate of how the film will end up making money, an example is merchandise, DVD's and so on.

Financing:

• The Market is a very competitive business. This is where contacts and powers of persuasion is needed to receive maximum funding. 
• Investment, private finance, number of private individuals willing to invest in film products. 

Pre-Production:

• Once all of the heads of the departments are brought together then the shooting is circulated and the meeting begins.
• The casting director, producer and director begin to find casts and actors for the film.
• Storyboards are produced and blue prints are created.
• Production designers design every aspect of the show.
• Effect shots are produced.
• Producer and Product manager makes the legistics of the production.

The Shoot:

• Contact 5 teams
• Chain of command
• Special effects team
• Camera team
• Lighting and sound
• Cast
• Many roles in each individual team, to insure movie is well made.

Post Production:

• Assistant editor creates an assembly of clips, the editor then makes a rough cut.
• Sound department lays the audio
• Score written sometimes for a movie or a specific scene. Often the credits and effects are added.
• Operators adjusts the colour so all the shots look consistent.
• Sounds are mixed, layered and levelled. They are edited by producers for the finish final cut.

Sales:

• The producer has to sell the finished cut to a distributor.
• The key elements should be showcased in trailers without giving too much away.
• A sales agent will estimate how well the movie will do.
• To create success the producer creates a 'buzz' around their movie to boost their awareness.

Marketing:

• The Marketing Team is a group of people who will market the film to the public.
• The Audience - the marketing team runs test screenings to see how the film is recieved by the viewers.
• Advertising - potential audience for the film is targeted using posters, cinema trailers and TV spots.
• Press and Media Coverage - positive word of mouth, an example TV, newspapers, radio. Getting the product endorsed by a third party.
• The Internet and New Marketing Models - internet and digital media. Give new opportunities for distributors to market their product in a more targeted and cost efficient ways.
• Selling the Film to Exhibitors - Distributors negotiate with cinema's to screen the films.

Exhibition:

• Fame helps to sell films because the stars have loyal, fun bases that follows them religiously.
• Your stars do not need to be famous for the films to be seen, lesser known stars generate huge success as well.
•  Although British people do not visit the cinema as much as Americans, it is still important for the film to hit the market.