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Filmmaking

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 Filmmaking is the act of making a movie using a film recording medium. Moviemaking is the act of making a movie using a film or video recording medium.

The filmmaking and moviemaking Production Cycle comprises five main stages:

  1. Development
  2. Preproduction
  3. Production
  4. Postproduction
  5. Distribution

An entire Production Cycle typically takes three years. The first year is taken up with development. The second year comprises preproduction and production. The third year, postproduction and distribution.

The nature of the film determines the size and type of crew required. Many Hollywood adventure films need Computer Generated Imagery (CGI) created by dozens of teams of 3D modellers, animators, rotoscopers and compositors. However a low-budget, independent film might have a crew of only fifty people.

Development

This is the stage where you turn a thought or hunch into a desireable commodity - the movie. Take the following steps:

  • Find a story
  • Write the screenplay (writer)
  • Identify the genre and target audience
  • Visualise the movie (artist)
  • Make the movie marketable:
    • cast the primary actors
    • attract credible "names" to the project
  • Contact a distributor
  • Arrange finance
  • Sign contracts

Preproduction

This is the stage where you design and plan the movie. Take the following steps:

  • Employ an Production Accountant
  • Create the Production Company
  • Set up the Production Office
  • Cast the secondary actors
  • Employ the following crew:
    • Director
    • Casting Director
    • Location Manager
    • Production Manager - macro-manages the production and Schedule. Also reports on behalf of the Production Office to the financiers.
    • Production Assistant
    • First Assistant Director (1AD) - micro-manages the production and Schedule. Also mediates between the Director and the Crew during Production.
    • Director of Photography (DOP) - creates and coordinates the picture and lighting. Cooperates with the Director, 1AD, DOA and AD.
    • Production Designer - creates the look and feel of the setting and costumes.
    • Storyboard Artist/Graphic Designer - helps the Director and Production Designer to express their ideas.
    • Director of Audiography (DOA) - creates and coordinates the sound and music. Cooperates with the Director, 1AD, DOP and AD. This role is more common in Bollywood than Hollywood films.
    • Sound Designer - creates new sounds.
    • Music Composer - creates new music.
    • Choreographer - creates and coordinates the movement and dance, typically for musicals.
  • Storyboard the Production
  • Budget the Production
  • Cast the movie
  • Plan the Schedule
  • Design the Production sets
  • Design the costumes and makeup
  • Design the music and sound

Production

This is the stage where you create and shoot the movie. Take the following steps:

  • Hire the following additional crew for the Production Office:
    • Script Supervisor/Continuity
    • Second Assistant Director (2AD)
    • Third Assistant Director (3AD)
    • Stills Photographer
    • Video Unit (for DVD Featurette)
    • Picture Editor
    • Sound Editor
  • Hire the following additional crew for the Production Design department:
    • Art Director (AD)
    • Props Master
    • Graphic Designer
    • Construction Manager
    • Carpenters/Painters/Decorators
    • Key Grip/Best Boy/Grips
    • Make-Up Artist
    • Hair Stylist
    • Costume Designer
    • Runners
  • Hire the following additional crew for the Camera department:
    • First Assistant Cameraperson (1AC) - works for the DOP. Also known as the Camera Operator.
    • Second Assistant Cameraperson (2AC) - works for 1AC. Also known as the Focus Puller.
    • Third Assistant Cameraperson (3AC) - works for the 2AC. Also known as the Clapper/Loader.
    • Gaffer/Best Boy/Electricians - work for the DOP.
  • Hire the following additional crew for the Sound department:
    • Sound Mixer (SM) - works for DOA.
    • Boom Operator
    • Cable Operator
  • Hire the following additional crew for the Catering department:
    • Catering Manager
    • Catering Assistants
  • Distribute todays Shooting Schedule (1AD, Director, DOP, SM, AD)
  • Construct the set and location setting
  • Prepare the set and location dressing
  • Place the dressing and action props
  • Setup the camera (camera position and angle, lens focal length)
  • Rig the lighting
  • Fit costumes
  • Make-up the actors
  • Rehearse the script (what the actors say)
  • Rehearse the blocking (what the actors do) of the action. This is vital for the picture and sound Crews.
  • Shoot the action - with as many "takes" as necessary. The usual protocol is as follows:
    • 1AD: Quiet on set!
    • 1AD: Roll sound! ...
    • Sound Mixer: Sound Rolling
    • 1AD: Roll camera! ...
    • 2AC: Camera rolling
    • 1AD: Mark it!
    • 3AC: Holds the clapperboard slate to the camera, claps the clapsticks and says "Scene 3a, Take 4"
    • Director: Action! ...
    • Director: ... Cut!
  • When shooting is finished for that scene then a "wrap" is announced by the Director or 1AD.
  • The Crew will "strike" (dismantle) the set for that scene.
  • Distribute the Call Sheets to Cast and Crew - this tells then when and where they should turn up tommorrow.
  • Agree tomorrows Shooting Schedule (1AD, Director, DOP, SM, AD)
  • Send a daily Progress Report to the Production Office (camera, sound, script pages)
  • Process todays Rushes - which become tommorrows Dailies
  • View todays Dailies
  • When the film is "in the can" the have a "Wrap Party" for all Cast and Crew.

Postproduction

This is the stage where you assemble and create the movie. Take the following steps:

  • Edit the picture
  • Create and composite the visual effects
  • Create the titles
  • Synchronise voice recordings
  • Create the final sound mix (SFX, background, Foleys, ADR, dialogue, walla, music)
  • Lock the movie - called the Final Cut
  • Generate the Edit Decision List (EDL)
  • Cut the master negative (film) or edit from the master tapes (video)
  • Print the movie to film or copy the master video tape
  • Create the multimedia necessary to package the movie
  • Create Press Kits, posters, etc. for advertising

Distribution

This is the stage where you hope to profit from making the movie. Take the following steps:

  • Duplicate the movie as required for distribution
  • Preview the movie against a target audience and request feedback
  • Make any changes necessary as a result of feedback
  • Market the movie to establish the "brand"
  • Launch the movie - press release, special press preview, film festivals
  • Release the movie at selected Theatres
  • Distribute the DVD domestically and worldwide
  • Divide any profits between the distributor and the production company
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