Film Industry: Roisin Matthews

Production

There are 4 main stages in the production of a film:

• Development
• Pre-Production
• Production
• Post-Production

The Development stage is when the story essentially comes together. This is the stage where the script is written and the story is refined. Many films are based on something (e.g. a book, a real life event or play) and in these starting points, there are many parts to the story that either aren't needed in the film production, they can't be done or the writer/director doesn't want to take the story in that way. This stage is when they cut and change the story to suit their vision. It starts with a synopsis that is then developed into a Step Outline, which is then used by the writer to create a screenplay over several months. Once the screenplay is written, the writer and producer then prepare a pitch to get financial investors, if they are successful, they then move on to the Pre-Production stage.

Pre-Production is essentially when they film is planned out. The director creates a storyboard and gets all members of the production team together to begin working on the project. The production team typically consists of: 

• A Director
• A Unit Production Manager
• An Assistant Director
• A Casting Director
• A Location Manager
• A Director Of Photography
• A Director Of Audiography
• A Sound Production Mixer
• A Sound Designer
• A Composer
• A Production Designer
• An Art Director
• A Costume Designer
• A Hair And Make Up Team
• A Storyboard Artist
• A Choreographer

Production is the stage in which the footage is shot, when all the crew come together and have to create the footage that is then used in Post-Production. Typically, actors arrive on set and have their costumes fitted, hair and make up done etc while the rest of the team set up (e.g. props, cameras, lights) and once everything is ready, they begin shooting as many shots as needed to create the film in the way it has been planned.

Post-Production is the stage when editing takes place, CGI is added and the film is sewn together. This is the stage that the film starts to become a film and not several short clips, it is essentially the last stage before it can then be released to the public.

Distribution

There are 4 ways films are distributed: 

• Standard Release
• Simultaneous Release
• Straight-To-Video Release
• Internet Release

Standard Release is the most common form of release, in which the film is released to Cinemas, then after approximately 16.5 weeks it is then released to DVD, then after an additional few weeks, it is then released on pay TV, and after approximately 2 years from its release date, it is then shown on free-to-air TV.

Simultaneous Release is when the production is released on several platforms at once (e.g. Cinema and Online).

Straight-To-Video Release is then films are released straight onto DVD or Blu-Ray.

Internet Release is when the film is released on the Internet before any other platform (e.g. Cinemas).

Marketing

There are many ways a company can promote a film, for example:

• Billboards
• Posters
• TV Adverts
• Newspaper Adverts
• Trailers
• Happy Meals
• Facebook
• Twitter
• Youtube
• Food Packaging
• Radio
• Merchandise
• Competitions
• Company Endorsement

Exhibition