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

The nature of the film determines the size and type of crew required during filmmaking. 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 may have a crew that barely makes double figures. Filmmaking takes place all over the world using different technologies, styles of acting and genre, and is produced in a variety of economic contexts that range from from state-sponsored documentary in China to profit-oriented movie making within the American studio system.

Contents

1 Stages of filmmaking 1.1 Development 1.2 Preproduction 1.3 Production 1.4 Postproduction 1.5 Distribution 2 Independent Filmmaking 3 See also 4 External links

Stages of filmmaking

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.

Development

This is the stage where a thought or hunch begins to become a desirable commodity - the movie. The producer of the movie will find a story (from books, other films, true stories, original ideas, etc). Once the theme, or underlying message, has been identified, a synopsis will be prepared.

This is followed by a Step Outline, which breaks the story down into one paragraph scenes, concentrating on the dramatic structure. A Treatment is produced which is a 25-30 page description of the story, its mood and characters, with little dialogue and stage direction, often containing impressive drawings to help visualize the key points.

A distributor will be contacted to assess the likely market for the particular genre of the movie.

The screenplay is then written over a period of perhaps six months, and may be rewritten several times to improve the dramatization, clarity, structure, characters, dialogue and overall style.

The movie "pitch" is then prepared and directors are approached to see if the movie can be continued. If the pitch is successful, then financial backing will be required from a major studio, film council or independent investors. The deal is negotiated, and contracts signed.

Preproduction

In preproduction, the movie is designed and planned. The Production Company is created and a Production Office established. The Production will be storyboarded and budgets allocated. The Schedule will also be drawn up at this stage. The production sets, costumes, makeup, music, and sound will all be designed and the crew will be recruited for the following roles:

• Production Accountant
• Director
• Casting Director
• Location Manager
• Production Manager - macro-manages the production Budget and Schedule. Also reports on behalf of the Production Office to the financiers.
• Production Assistant
• First Assistant Director (1AD) - micro-manages the production Schedule and daily process. Also mediates between the Director and the Crew during Production.
• Director of Photography (DOP) - designs and coordinates the picture and lighting. Cooperates with the Director, 1AD, DOA and AD.
• Production Designer - designs 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) - designs and coordinates the sound and music. Cooperates with the Director, 1AD, DOP and AD. This role is common in Bollywood films but usually overlooked in Hollywood films, where dialogue is often replaced in postproduction.
• Sound Designer - creates new sounds.
• Music Composer - creates new music.
• Choreographer - creates and coordinates the movement and dance, typically for musicals.

Production

This is the stage the movie is actually created and shot. More crew will be recruited at this stage such as the extras, Script Supervisor/Continuity, Assistant Directors, Stills Photographer, Picture Editor, and Sound Editor.

A typical days shooting begins with a schedule being distributed by the Director. The settings will be constructed and the props and camera set up appropriately. The lighting is rigged and the actors put on their costumes and make-up.

The script and blocking is rehearsed (what the actors say and do). This is vital for the picture and sound crews. The action is then shot with as many "takes" as necessary. Each production team adopts its own protocol, but a typical exchange for each take is as follows:

• 1AD: Quiet on set!
• 1AD: Run sound! ...
• Sound Mixer: Running
• 1AD: Roll camera! ...
• 1AC: Rolling
• 1AD: Marker!
• 3AC: Holds the clapperboard slate to the camera, claps the clapsticks and says '"Scene 3a, Take 4"
• Director: Action! ...
• Director: ... Cut!

The Director will then check to see if the shot was "good" (G) or "not good" (NG). The Continuity, Sound and Camera teams mark every take as either G or NG on their own Report Sheet. Each Report Sheet records special facts about every take.

When shooting is finished for that scene then a "wrap" is decided by the Director and announced by the 1AD. The Crew will "strike" (dismantle) the set for that scene. At the end of the working day, Call Sheets are distributed to the Cast and Crew to tell them when and where to turn up the next day.

The Director approves the next day's Shooting Schedule and a daily Progress Report is sent to the Production Office. This includes the Report Sheets for Continuity, Sound and Camera teams.

The day's film stock, known as "rushes", is sent to the laboratory for processing overnight. Once processed, they become known as "dailies" and are viewed in the evening by the director and selected Cast and Crew.

When the entire film is finished, or "in the can", the Production Office holds the "Wrap Party" for all Cast and Crew.

Postproduction

This is the stage the movie is assembled. During this stage, the movie is edited and the visual effects composed. The voice recordings are synchronised and the final sound mix is created (SFX, background, Foleys, ADR, dialogue, walla, music).

The titles are added and the movie is locked, called the Final Cut. The Edit Decision List (EDL) is generated and the master negative (film) or edit from the master tapes (video) created. An Answer Print of the movie is produced from the master and duplicated to create a theatrical Release Print.

The movie will be previewed with the target audience and their reactions gauged. Any changes to the movie may then be made following audience feedback.

Distribution

This is the final stage where a profit can be made from making the movie. The movie is duplicated as required for theatrical distribution. Press Kits, posters, and other advertsing materials are published and the movie is advertised.

The movie will usually be launched with a "Launch Party", Press Releases, interviews with the Press, showings of the film at a Press Preview, and Film Festivals. It is also common to create a Web Site to accompany the movie.

The movie will play at selected Theatres and the DVD is typically released a few months later. The distribution rights for the movie and DVD are also usually sold for worldwide distribution. Any profits are divided between the distributor and the production company.

Independent Filmmaking

Filmmaking also takes place outside of the Hollywood studio system, and is commonly called independent filmmaking.

Those outside of Hollywood still have to address crucial topics in order to progress with the filmmaking process:

• A working understanding of the way Hollywood works;
• Knowledge of financing;
• Knowledge of marketing;
• Knowledge of distribution

Since the introduction of DV technology, the means of production has become more democratized. This allows filmmakers to open their minds just like the early hip hop DJs who, when rejected by the music industry, created the mixtape phenomenon. Mixtapes caused a sensation on the streets, and revolutionised the music industry.

This points to the fact that while the means of production may be democratized, it is distribution and marketing along with financing that independent filmmakers must understand.

See also

• Screenplay

External links

• A resource for independent filmmakers (http://www.freewebs.com/sibmovies)

• filmmaking.net, reference and community for filmmakers (http://www.filmmaking.net)