Step one -
The idea Firstly, someone gets an idea, they then share the idea with the producer, who then either likes it, or doesn't like it. If they like it, they decide the make the 'great idea' into reality, the idea is then shared with the director, who then creates they movie on screen, they decide how the story is going to be as a movie. It then goes to the writer, who then defines or clarifies the idea, the plot, and the characters and makes changes when necessary. The writer then makes a one paged description of the story and characters. Then the producer creates a pitch, which contains all information, and ideas which they'll attempt to sell to the financiers to commision a script.
Step two -
Production Companies
The producer uses the pitch, treatment and persuasion to get money to develop a script. They then approach film production companies for development money, usually they have projects of their own. The producer then offers future sales, and broadcast rights to the film in return for money to develop the script. They can apply to a public funding body, for example the UK film council, for a development grant, they can even pitch their ideas to private investors, in hope that they will support the project.
Step three -
Script development
The writer creates a synopsis, him and the producer decide and agree or disagree on the key scenes and events in the film. The writer might create a step outline to plan their script. He creates the first draft, which is the hardest one to do. Once the script is done, they send it out to the financiers, who'll have their own ideas. When everyone involved is happy with the draft, it becomes the final draft and the writer gets paid. The final stage of the script development, is the creation of a sales treatment.
Step four -
Packaging
The scipt is packaged into a full commercial pack, ready for financing, a good way to make it more commerical is by attacting well known stars to the script. Commercially successful heads of department carry considerable clout with knowledgeble financiers. The producer must know how much it'll cost to make the movie, for it to be an actual buisness proposition. Potential investors want to know how the producer will raise the money, and how they plan to pay them back. They then package the film into a viable commerial propostion, and see what people think of it.
Step five -
Financing
The producer should travel around the world to secure the investments they need, because financiers are all around the world. The producers lawyer draws up the contracts to seal the deals of the investers of the movie. Before the movie is even made, the producer can raise money from pre-sales to sell the rights to the film. Some departments of banks specialise in film finance who invest in commerial projects, and offer loans. A completeion bond is insisted to be put in place before the financiers agree to invest, this is insurance for the production. Once the essential funding and insurence is secured, the film gets the green light, and the producer celebrates.
Step six -
Pre-Procuction
Firstly, all of the head of departments are hired, the shooting of the script is circulated, and pre-production begins. The directer, producer, and casting directer start a long process of identifying and casting the actors. The director, the director of photography, and the storyboard artist start making storyboards, which is the equilivent to blue prints. The production designer plans all of the aspects of how the film will look, and hires people to design and create each part. Effect shots are planned in lots of detail, more than normal shots are, and can take months to design and build. The line production manager, and the line producer make up the key logisic triangle of the production for the first ad.
Step seven -
The Shoot
The shooting begins and the funding is released. The camera department sorts out all of the footage that the director and editer need to tell the story. When the sound, lighting, hair and make up has been done, and checked, the shot can begin. The actors should act, and be emotional and draw the audience into the movie. While minimum risk to cast and crew, the special effects are carefully constructed. The films productions are run with military precision, if they fall behind schedule, the financiers and insurers may step in.
Step eight -
Post-Production
The editor assembles the processed footage into scenes and creates narrative sequence as it comes in. Once the picture is locked, the sound department work on the sound track laying and creates and edit every sound. Digital effects, titles, and credits are then added by the specialist effects composition in the composition suite. The colour is adjusted, and the aesthetic of the film is established. Next, the sound mix goes to dubbing theatre, this is where the sound mixer sets the final levels. When the final cut has done, and the film reaches full lock, it's now finished for duplication.
Step nine -
Sales
The producer secures the services of a sales agent, who's a specialist in film sales, to help her sell the film to distribution. The trailers are then made to help sell the film. The producer and the sales agent collect everything they will need to sell the film to distributors. The producer goes to great lengths to attract attention for her products in the market. At a high profile film festival, they can generate 'heat' for the film, and then the producers product is made 'hot', which would mean she can negotiate good deals with distributers around the world.
Step ten -
Marketing
To help sell the film to distribors, the producer uses the specialist in films sales agent. They then run test screenings to the audience, to see how the film is received. They then advertise the movie by using posters, cinema trailers, TV spots, and other marketing material. TV, radio, newspapers and magazines can create positive word-to-mouth about films. The internet and digital media floods the world with information, but it also makes niche marketing possible. The distibuters must make deals with cinemas to screen it.
Step eleven -
Exhibition
A premiere of the movie is used to 'launch' the film to the public with an explosion of media coverage. The exhibitors are supplied with prints of the film by the distributors. The more screens the film is shown on, the more prints that are needed. The exhibitors take their share of the box office receipts, and then the distributors recoup their marketing costs. Once they've been paid, the financiers recover their investment, as it's laid out in the recoupment schedule.
Step twelve -
Other windows
Sales in hospitality for hotel channels and in-flight entertainment can also bring in millions in additional revenue. In any chances that the box office fails, it can be compensated when the DVD's come out, because the UK audience spends more on DVD's then they do in the cinema. Revenue rights are sold seperately for pat TV showings and Terrestial broadcasting on the television. More additional revenueing comes when rights for computer games and other product lisences are made. When the final profit has been made, the producer and key creative people can get their rewards. Distribution continues in perpetuity, and the final income of the film is never known. The film might be re-released in the future.
