understanding film making

Scene 1- The idea

inspiration can come from anywhere. There are many types of inspiration such as Toys (Transformers) Remakes (Fame) Adaptations of books ( Girl with the dragon tattoo) and real life events ( Hotel Rwanda). The most valuable inspiration is an original film ( The conjuring). When the initial idea hes been thought of it is then sent to the producer who helps create the idea into a reality. The producer then finds a director who can visualize the script. It is better to get a well know director because they will know good script writes. This will then shorten the time in which they can find a financier. The writer clarifies the idea and then writes a treatment. A treatment includes key events and characters, it must be in the genre of the film. This must include all the information the producer needs to persuade the financiers to invest in the film.


Toys: Transformers

Directed by- Michael Bay

Produced by- Ian Bryce, Tom De Santo, Lorenzo DiBohaventura, Don Murphy.

Screen play by- John Rogers, Roberto Ora, Alex Kurtzman, Ehren Kruger. 

Starring- Shia Labeoux, Megan Fox, Josh Duhamel, Tyrese Gibson, John Tuturro, Kevin Dunn, Julie White, Glenn Murshower, Mark Wahlberg, Jack Reynor, Nicola Beltz, Kelsey Grammer, Peter Cullen, Hugo Weaving. 

Music by- Steve Sablonsky

Editing by- Thomas Muldon, Paul Rubell, Glen Scantlebury, Roger Barton, Joel Negron, William Goldenburg.

Studio- Hasbro, DiBonadventura pictures, Dreamworks pictures. 

Distribution by- Dreamworks pictures, Paramount pictures.

Budget- $545,000,000

Box Office- $2,669,760,496

Scene 2- Development Finance

The producer approaches film production companies for development money. To develop the script further the producer can offer sales and broadcasts rights to the film.  They can also go to the UK council for a development grant.

Scene 3- The script development

Once the producer has the grant for the script development, the writer can then create a synopsis including the chosen key scenes and events. After this they can then create a step by step outline of the script. If the producers are happy with the script  draft it is then sent to the financiers who will all have their own ideas. When all roles are happy with the script it is "locked off" and becomes unchangeable. This means everything has to be right in the script. The writer is then paid. The final process of the script development  is the sales treatment .

Scene 4- Packaging. 

The producer and director package the script so it is ready for financing and list well known stars they would like in the film. This is so it becomes more commercial. To make the film to producer will need to know how much they will need to create the film. They can then let potential investors know how much they will need to raise to make the film a success and how they will pay them back.

Scene 5-Financing.

To secure finances, The producer must look at financiers around the world to get the best deal possible. when they have found one the producers lawyer writes up a contract to seal the deal. The producer can also raise money from pre- sales before it has even been made. The producer can also get a loan from the bank that specialises in film production projects. The film will get the "green Light" once all the funding has been secured.

Scene 6- Pre production

The casting director and producer begin the process of identifying and casting the actors/actresses for the movie. The more famous the star the more successful the film should be. So securing well-known stars is vital for the producer. The film is then planned out in a storyboard with every shot so the production designer can visualise every aspect of the film and how it will look. Special effects are planned months in advance because they take the longest to create for a movie. 

Scene 7-The Shoot

When the shooting begins the camera department is responsible for getting all the footage needed to tell the story. The actors and actresses will then create the movie that will draw the audience to watch the film. They create the emotion needed for a successful film.

Scene 8- Post production. 

Once all the shooting is completed, The editor puts the footage into scenes and creates a narrative sequence. The sound department then adds background music and edits every sound. Special effects are then added into the film to make it even more breath taking. The dubbing theatre then sets the final sound levels and final cut is finished. 

scene 9- Sales

A trailer is made to show the buyers the most marketable aspects of the film. A high-profile screening at a film festival is great to attract people to the film and make it a hit with the audience.  

Scene 10- marketing

There are many ways to market a film. The marketing team create posters, cinema trailers and TV spots are released to attract a potential audience. They run screen tests to see how the film is received. The distributors attend conferences with cinemas to make deals to screen the movie at their cinema.  

Scene 11- Exhibition

A premier is held with media coverage in order to launch the film and get people excited to watch the film themselves. Distributors supply prints for the film. The more cinemas it is being shown in the more prints they will have to create. Once the distributors have been paid the financiers can then recover the money they added for the film. 

scene 12- Other Windows.

The film can receive more money after it has stopped screening at cinemas. The film could be shown in-flight and hotel channels. Also it can be shown on TV channels such as sky movies. UK audiences spend more on DVDs then they do in the box office making this a more successful way to profit form the film. The film may also be released later as a sequel to the first film.