Making a film involves 12 main stages from developing the initial idea through marketing and distribution. The process begins with developing the idea, followed by securing development financing to write the script. Next is packaging the film by attaching stars and determining the budget. Financing is then secured to fund production. Pre-production involves hiring crew and finalizing plans. Shooting the film is then followed by post-production work. The film is then sold through distribution deals and marketed to audiences through premieres and other promotional campaigns. If successful, additional revenue can be earned through other distribution windows like DVDs and television licensing.

1. Making a Film
Jake McMann

2. 12 Stages of Making a Film
• The Idea
• Development Finance
• Script Development
• Packaging
• Financing
• Pre-Production
• Shooting the Film
• Post Production
• Sales
• Expedition
• Other Windows

3. Stage 1: The Idea
Making a film takes a lot of time and preparation and can involve
hundreds of people, all films start with an idea. This idea could of
came from an inspiration, and this inspiration could of came from
anywhere; magazine, newspapers. However ideas can sometimes
cost millions so film-makers try and protect their ideas for films, a
lot of the take out errors and emissions insurance to protect
themselves against copyright.

4. Stage Two: Development Finance
The next stage in the process of making a film is to get a rough idea
into a final script which makes it ready for production, however this
costs money. To get the money the producer will have to use the
treatment pitch, plus he/she has to use persuasion to get the
sufficient funds for the development of the script

5. Stage Three: Script Development
After the producer has secured the development finance, it is down
to the writer to deliver the product the producer and the financiers
want. First the writer makes a synopsis and he/she and the
producer will debate on what the key events of the film will be.

6. Stage Four: Packaging
With the script complete, the producer and the director decide how
they want to film the movie and they decide who they want to be in
the movie. A common way to make a project more commercial is to
attach well known stars to the script. To turn the film into a
realistic business proposition, the producer must know how much
the film will actually cost.

7. Stage Five: Financing
Filmmaking is an expensive business, and the producer must secure
enough funding to make the film the highest standard possible.
Financiers can be anywhere in the world, that’s why the producer
has to travel, to secure the investment they need to make the film.

8. Stage Six: Pre-Production
With the financing secured, the full cast and crew are hired and the
detailed preparation for the shoot begins. Once all the heads of the
department are hired, the shooting script is circulated and pre-
production begins.

9. Stage Seven: The Shoot
A large film production can involve hundreds of people, and it is a
constant struggle to keep things on schedule and budget.
Shooting begins and funding is released, this is usually a big relief
for the producer.
This is the key stage in film making.

10. Stage 8: Post Production
Post production usually starts during the shoot as soon as the first
‘rushes’ – raw footage – and sound are available.
As the processed footage comes in, the editor turns it into scenes
and assembles it together.

11. Stage Nine: Sales
While the film is still in the post production
stage, the producer is trying to sell it. But
he/she can’t sell it to the public themselves,
they need a distributor.
To help sell the film to the distributors, the
producer secures the services of a sales
agent to help the producer sell the film to
the public.

12. Stage Ten: Marketing
As the finishing touches are being made
to the film, the distributors plan there
strategy of marketing and selling the
film.
Having a good knowledge of the
audience is essential and the marketing
team runs test screening to see how the
film is received.

13. Stage Eleven: Expedition
Cinema expedition is still the
primary channel for films to
reach there audiences and box
office success equals financial
success.
A high profile star-studded
premier is used to launch the
film to the public with an
explosion of media.

14. Stage Twelve: Other Windows
A successful run in cinemas makes the
film a sough-after product, which can
be sold through other more lucrative
channels like DVD’s, videos and games
for the film. Hospitality sales for hotel
channels and in flight entertainment
can bring in millions of additional
revenue