Theory

1. 1
AS Media Studies
• The three stages of production are:
• Pre production
• Production
• Post-production
• Pre-production is:
 Set
 Costumes
 Cameras
 Cast
• Finance:
• The first stage of any films production is
the attempt to secure financial backing
• The production company must generate
confidence in the potential revenue of the
planned film
• They hope this will persuade investors to
Finance: The Package
• To generate the kind of
confidence that will secure
investors, the producers of the
film must put together an
attractive proposal.
• This “package” consists of a
number of essential elements.
• This starts with the idea for the
film, though this on its own is
not enough to attract potential
backers.
• There are 6 key elements in
the package
TASK ONE: In pairs, list all the places you
think film financing might come from.
 Hollywood studio 6%
 Other 2%
 Crowd funding 10%
 Soft money 15%
 Government grants 27%
 Pre-sales 20%
Things to consider will include:
• HD
• Blu-ray
• Downloads
• 3D
• IMAX
• The internet (YouTube)
• Multiples and art-house
cinemas
• Home cinema
• Viral Marketing
• Websites
• Sequels and Franchises

2. Task 2: Fill in the gaps to
complete the handout
1. A script treatment
• This can run to 10 pages in length.
• It contains information concerning the storyline, characters and locations
2. The generic profile of the film.
• This will help the potential investor ‘place’ the film within the marketplace.
• This will also discuss the genre of the film, and the expected elements
involved within this specific genre.
3. The proposed budget of the film.
• Investors need to know what their potential might be.
• The package will contain a breakdown of the films proposed budget.
4. Visual representation of key scenes.
• This will help potential investors visualise the proposed film.
• The package will contain storyboard frames for key narrative moments.
5. Key personnel.
• If the film already has a director or actors attached, and they have already had
box office success then the inclusion of their names will act as an
encouragement to potential investors.
• The package could also include potential actors or directors, but this would be
more speculative and may make investors wary.
6. Potential spin-offs, merchandising and tie-ins.
• Investor may want to know the potential overall return they could expect to
make on their investment.
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Finance: Costs
• There are two types of costs that are incurred during the film-making process.
• Firstly, ‘above the line’ costs, which include: salaries and fees for the stars, directors
and personnel.
• These are fixed and do not change during production.
• Below the line costs – locations, film stock and costumes. These types of costs

3. TASK THREE:
(In pairs or small groups) Your film company wants to produce a romantic comedy
based around the idea of two friends making good on a pact they made when they
were in their teens. They agreed that if they had not found a husband/wife by the
time they were 30, they would marry each other. The film focuses on their efforts to
turn their friendship into a marriage. This is a British film with unknown actors in the
lead role. You need investment for this film.
1) How would you convince potential investors that this would be a good
investment? (i.e. – one that makes them money!) Design a package to
present to the rest of the class.
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The Three stages of production
 Production covers all filming
 Post-Production includes :
 Edit
 Sound
 Music
 Videos
Class Discussion:
Production schedules can vary hugely.
Low budget, independent films are usually
turned around much more quickly – why
do you think this is?
• More people/crew involved
• Budget
• Not having famous actors

4. 2) What difference would it make to your pitch if you had secured 2 big
name actors in the lead roles, and had a bigger budget? Adapt your
package for presentation.
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