Film Production

Development - This is simply the process of 'finding' a story. Ideas for films
come from a variety of sources, they can range from novels, real life events
to computer game adaptations. Once you've got an idea you'll need someone
to write a pitch for you which you take to a film producer in an attempt to get
some funding to make your film. Even at this very early stage you need a very
clear idea of who you're aiming you film at so you can include elements that
will appeal to them.
Pre-production - Once you've got funding you establish your budget and can
begin to get a film crew together, you can storyboard the script. You also
need break the script down into individual scenes and identify all the
locations, props, cast members, costumes, special effects and visual effects
needed.
Production - This is simply the process of 'making' the film. Provided you've
done your job properly in the pre-production stage making the film should be
straight forward. 'Film' is very expensive and difficult to store so an increasing
number of film makers are using digital cameras to save money.
Post-production - During this stage you take all the 'film' you've shot and give
it to a film editor. They will then begin putting it together. Special effects will
be added, a soundtrack will be added, any missing dialogue will be re-
recorded and added resulting in a 'rough cut'. This will be shown to the
director and a test audience who will offer feedback. Often this causes scenes
to be filmed and added or removed.


Screen Writer
Screenwriters create screenplays for films. They provide the blueprint for the
creative input of the Producer, Director, Production Designer, Composer and Editor,
cast and crew.
Some screenwriters are not directors and therefore only write scripts,
however some directors such as Alfonso Cuarn (Gravity) both write and
direct the film. This is known as a writer-director.














Producer
Producers have overall control on every aspect of a film's production. They bring
together and approve the whole production team. Their key responsibility is to
create an environment where the talents of the cast and crew can flourish.
Producers are accountable for the success of the finished film. They steer the film
from beginning to completion and beyond.
One notable producer is Top Gear TVs Andy Wilman.












Casting Director
In pre-production, Casting Directors work with both the Director and Producer to
assemble the perfect cast for the film. As a result, Casting Directors must have in-
depth and up-to-date knowledge of new and existing acting talent.
They are responsible for matching the ideal actor to each role, based on a number of
factors, such as the actor's experience, ability, reputation, availability and box office
appeal. Casting Directors also work closely with Production Accountants to prepare
the casting budget.
Margery Simkin was the casting Director for Avatar
Other notable Casting Directors are Jeanne McCarthy (Enough Said) and Juliet
Taylor and Patricia DiCerto (Blue Jasmine).





Director
Directors are responsible for creatively translating the film's written script into actual
images and sounds on the screen. They are ultimately responsible for a film's artistic
and commercial success or failure.
Famous Film directors include: Steven Spielberg and Woody Allen.



Film Finance
Film finance is an aspect of film production that occurs during the development
stage prior to pre-production, and is concerned with determining the potential value
of a proposed film. In the United States, the value is typically based on a forecast of
revenues (generally 10 years for films and 20 years for television shows), beginning
with theatrical release, and including DVD sales, and release to cable broadcast
television networks both domestic and international and inflight airline licensing.

Camera Operator
Camera Operators carry out the Director of Photographys (DoP) and Directors
instructions for shot composition and development. They are usually the first people
to use the camera's eyepiece to assess how all the elements of performance, art
direction, lighting, composition and camera movement come together to create the
cinematic experience.
The camera operator is responsible for physically operating the camera and
maintaining composition and camera angles throughout a given scene or shot
Camera Operators are relatively unrecognised and there arent any famous
ones as such. There are usually a team of them per film.



Editor
Editors are one of the key Heads of Department on feature films, responsible for
First Assistant Editors, and on bigger productions, Second Assistants and Trainees.
The Editor works closely with the Director, crafting the daily rushes into a coherent
whole. To ensure that the story flows effortlessly from beginning to end, each shot is
carefully chosen and edited into a series of scenes, which are in turn assembled to
create the finished film.
Famous film editors include: Dede Allen, Thelma Schoonmaker, Michael Kahn
and Walter Murch
The editor is arguably one of the most important roles in the film industry as
they ultimately have the final say on how the film is shown to the public
(which scenes, camera angles, ect.. are used in the final film).

















Production Designer
Production Designers are major heads of department on film crews, and are
responsible for the entire art department.
They help Directors to define and achieve the look and feel of a film.
Filming locations may range from a Victorian parlour, to a late-night caf, to the
interior of an alien space ship. The look of a set or location is vital in drawing the
audience into the story and making a film convincing. A great deal of work and
imagination goes into constructing the backdrop to any story and choosing or
building locations and/or sets.
These are examples of well-known production designers: Rick Carter, Rick
Heinrichs, Dante Ferretti and Robert Stromberg.







Marketing
Marketing is slit up into two roles, Marketing Executive and Marketing Manager.
Marketing Executive: As a marketing executive, you would promote your
employer's products, services or ideas.
Marketing Manage: As a marketing manager you would plan the direction of
all marketing activity on a campaign. You would use your creativity and
expertise to think of new ways of delivering your message to the customer.
You could be in charge of a number of campaigns and manage and motivate
people in the marketing team to make sure that each campaign is successful.
The Marketing staff are sometimes outsourced and most of the time remain
relatively unknown.




















Exhibition
Cinemas fall into 1 of 2 categories: national chains; and independent exhibitors. The
specific programming will depend on the target audience, with large chains often
filling their multiplexes with blockbuster fare and individual independents more
likely to cater to art-house crowds.