The Intricate Phases of Film Production

Film production is a bit of an enigma and it can be difficult for those who do not work in the film industry to understand exactly what film producers do, along with the complexities involved in film production. It is easy to go to the cinema or snuggle up to a great film on Sky Movies and never quite comprehend the amount of work that went into creating the perfect cinematic feature film.

While larger film production companies often have huge budgets to work with, they fundamentally still work in the same way as smaller producers; by following 5 core production phases.

1. The Development Phase

This phase is very much as described and involves writing, creation and planning of the project. It is usually at this stage where a budget is decided, along with location and cast interviews.

2. The Pre-Production Phase

Although filming doesn’t yet start during this phase, it can often be just as intense. It is the careful planning during this phase that can make or break the remainder of the process. Producers need to know details of the full crew they will be working with, clothes/costumes need to be ready along with sets. Producers will also need to continually communicate with town councils to ensure smooth access to locations for filming without issue.

3. The Production Phase

A lot of work has gone into the production process before reaching this phase but all is now ready to film. The amazing thing is, this phase can often be the shortest of them all and this shows effective use of phases 1 and 2. Producers and directors must work in a cohesive way, collaboration is key at this stage.

4. The Post-Production Phase

It is often said that this is where the film comes to life. Effects and sounds are added to capture the watchers’ senses. Stringent editing processes will be in place to ensure the film holds the right pace and the footage is brought together to tell the story in the desired timeframe. In a nutshell it involves refinement of the raw footage.

5. The Distribution Phase

Distribution can take many formats and often rests on the quality of the film and the leverage the film studio has. Distribution is also a key factor in the process as effective distribution is needed to ensure the highest exposure and therefore higher profits. 

Whilst film making is a lot about creativity, it is important to remember it is “show business” and the aim of the game is to make money from quality films; production is at the core of this.