The Process of P roducing a B ritish M ovie

1. The Process of Producing a British Movie By Josh James, Brad Westwood and Matthew Cooper

2. Scene 1- The Idea • First someone must be inspired to make a film, inspiration can come from such things as real life events, the need to remake/ adapt a film (in a different source of media), to a specific audience e.g. Horror films are directed at teens. • Once you have got a solid idea of how you want the film to be made you must pitch your idea to one or a group of producers, a great way to do this is through an annual film festivals. • The producer will acquire the rights to a story, adaptation or, in some cases, an original script. The producer will only see fit to obtain the rights, if they believe that the film will make a substantial profit. • After the producer has obtained the rights, it is then down to them to convert the idea into reality by developing the project further then getting it made and released (usually with a team to help).

3. Scene 1- Cont. • The next role of the producer is to assign a director to the production. • The director will then have the chance to view the screenplay and, if they see fit, can make alterations to the idea. The quality and past-work of the director will become a main selling point for the producer. • A writer will also be assigned to the project to help polish the idea/screenplay. The writer will also collaborate closely with the director and producer. In some cases a writer will bring a first draft script to go with the rest of the production team. • The creative team will work closely to create a treatment or synopsis of the film, this will highlight the key events, characters and genre of the film. • The creative team will then pitch their idea to possible financial backers in order to obtain funds for the production.

4. Scene 2- Development of Finance • The producer will attempt to obtain future sales and broadcast rights of the film in order to get money to develop the script e.g. Fox will get a percentage of the overall profit, as long as they fund the project. • Another way of obtaining a budget for the film would be to apply with the National Film Industry to try and get a development grant. • If the project still needs funding, the producer can pitch to a private investor e.g. a wealthy business man outside of the film industry.

5. Scene 3- Synopsis • The creative team will develop an outline to plan the script. • The draft of the film will then be sent to the financial backing for approval. • When both the creative team and financial backing are happy, the script gets locked and finalized and the writer gets paid. • With the script finalized, the creation of a sales treatment is put into motion.

6. Scene 4- Packaging • With the project under way, the creative team begin to attach actors to the script (preferably ‘A-List’ Celebs). • Heads of each department that are overseeing the project begin negotiations with well-respected financers. • Once negotiations with financers are complete, the producer will have an estimated budget is for the film. A production schedule will be made before any of the budget is spent. • Financial investors will then be shown how the producer intends to make a profit/pay them back. • With every process of the project completed, the financial backers and the creative team will commence filming of the project.

7. Scene 5- Financing • The producer must travel to find a suitable financial backing in each country where the film will be distributed. • The film will look or private individuals, production companies and public bodies to invest in the film. • Once financial backing has been achieved, the contracts will be drawn up. • The producer can raise money through pre-sales such as distributing teaser trailers/ posters. • Loans and commercial investments will be obtained if the budget of the film is considered too low for the project. Insurance bonds are usually put in place to secure the investments. • Once all funding has been acquired and the insurance is secure, the film gets the go-ahead.

8. Scene 6- Pre-Production • Once all the heads of the department are in place, pre-production begins in its earliest. • The casting director begins the long process of indentifying and casting actors. • Storyboards will be drawn up as a blueprint for the film. • The production designer plan every aspect of hw the film is going to look. The designer will also hire certain staff to create each segment of the film. • Special effect artists plan (in high detail) each edit/shot which contains any degree of special effect.

9. Scene 7- The Shoot • This is the first major step of production, full funding is given and everyone on staff gets to work on making the film. • The camera crew are key at this moment,. Its up to them to get the footage that the director and producer need to show the story. • Once the effects are ready, such as; lighting, angles, sound etc, and the characters are fully prepared its time to start filming. • The actors are a crucial part of the filming because they need to portray their character as real people. • If the film contains special effects, a special effects manager will construct every effect that will go with the shot. • Throughout filming is imperative that everyone is on-time and not falling behind schedules.

10. Scene 8- Post Production • As footage is filmed and given to the editor it is then assembled into scenes showing the story. • Then the audio department takes the scene and creates/edits the sound for it. • The locked footage is given to special effects where compositors add-in the effects. • After every production department has edited the locked footage it is then finalized by the director and producer. The finished film is then ready to be mass-produced.

11. Scene 9- Sales • The producers secures the help and advice of a sales agent, that is a specialist in film sales. • For the film to sell it needs a strong promotional plan, this is when a trailer is made and shown to possible film buyers. • Producer and sales agent gets a manifest of the promotional items they need to sell the film to distributors. • Its important that your film stands out from other films needing a film buyer. • With enough money a high-profile viewing of the film is sure to get loads of attention. • Once it’s clear the film is a huge success then the producer can start talking deals with distributors.

12. Scene 10- Marketing • The marketing team will get together and analysis how the audience reacts to the film. • The target audience is then highlight and posters, trailers, TV spots, internet viral, websites and other marketing materials are produced for the film to gain more attention. This will then lead to word-of-mouth, as the public share more news with each other regarding the film. • The distributors then make deals with cinemas so that the film can been screen in places all over the world.

13. Scene 11- Exhibition • A film premiere is then shown to, mainly, celebrities which will bring high media attention. • Cinemas across the country all screen the film for the public to pay and go see. • The distributors supply the exhibitors with prints of the film, so it can be shown more in cinemas and increase its over all box office performance. • The revenue from the film’s screenings is then used to payback the exhibitors and cover the costs of marketing. • With the rest of the profit, financers recover their investments that were used in the film’s production

14. Scene 12- Other Windows • The film could be sold off to other exhibitors to make much more money; • Hotel Channels, In-Flight Entertainment • Dvd’s, Videos, Blu-ray • Broadcasting • Rights for computer games/ product licences • Once the film has achieved a high profit, the producers and key production staff can have their share.