Article:
Film production stages
By: Rianne Hill Soriano
In addressing the stages of film production, many people normally say
that there are three stages: Pre-production, Principal Photography or
Production, and Post-production. However, if you analyze it deeper,
people may agree with me when I say that there are generally five
stages in film production:
- Conceptualization and Story Development
- Pre-production
- Principal Photography/Production
- Post-production
- Distribution
This ideal production cycle typically takes about three years. The
first year is taken up by the conceptualization and story development.
The second year comprises the pre-production/production. And the third
year involves post-production and distribution. However, in the
Philippine setting, at most times, this time frame is not realized.
Reasons primarily include the producers' main intentions for the film
vis-à-vis the budget for the film. Of course, the longer the time
spent, the more expenses to incur. And the lesser time invested on the
film is inversely proportional to the quality of the film output.
Making a film needs quality time. Compromises, limitations, and
adjustments are fine especially with such uncontrollable situations
happening during the course of production. However, the time factor
should never be disregarded. I am yet to see a film shot with poor
time investment and yet it ends up as a greatly entertaining and/or
quality film.
Anyway, going back to the five stages of film production:
Conceptualization and Story Development
The spark for a new story to be mounted into a film is what starts it
all. Whether this comes from the writer, the producer, or the
director, or a group of filmmakers, and whether this suddenly pops out
from within the intentions of the mother studio or the unexpected
thought from an individual who acquires that spark for a new story
outside the film outfit, the conceptualization and story development
is the initial stage in a film production. From a solid concept to a
sensible storyline to a worthy script – the cinematic venture moves on
accordingly. While doing the process, researches are carefully done to
substantiate the story. Many things are taken into consideration
further to develop the story. Immersions and workshops can also be
done to make the story culturally correct and believable. The theme,
genre, motivations, and goals of the characters, along with the
character breakdown, are also taken into great consideration to keep
the story in focus.
As the story gets finalized, so goes with the making of the sequence
treatment, character breakdown, sequence guide, and the script.
It is expected to have many drafts of the script until it gets
finalized – as there are many things coming into the film production
that should be considered. Adjustments to b made are as ordinary as
having to gas up after a long drive to an ocular inspection or meeting
the creative staff to polish the new ideas that have just been poured
into the table.
Pre-production
Pre-production begins when a script is approved for production. The
film outfit is all set. The production staff is called. Pre-production
meetings are done.
The pre-production tasks include presenting pegs, location hunting,
conducting oculars, casting, storyboarding, budgeting, breaking down
of the script, scheduling, conducting workshops, constructing of sets,
props, and costumes, acquiring resources like lighting, special
effects, stunts, etc. Scripts are adjusted to meet altering
requirements. Changes in the script are also made according to the
film's final cast. Sometimes, complex scenes are translated from
storyboard to animatics to further clarify the action. Test and mock
shoots are also done so that the production team becomes best equipped
come shooting time.
Principal Photography/Production
Principal photography is the actual filming. The director, cast,
staff, and crew gather at the studio/on location to shoot. The
sequences are broken down to the required scenes as shown in the
storyboard and pegs. A scene is further divided into shots, which have
been carefully planned during pre-production.
Depending on the final schedule, a scene is usually shot not in the
chronological order of the story. The more practical ways and means
include shooting all sequences per location and in accordance to the
availability of the people and resources. Conversations are normally
filmed more than once from various angles.
The so-called trinity of a film's creative team is composed of the
director, the director of photography/cinematographer, and the
production designer. The logistics team is run by the executive
producer, associate producer, line producer, and production manager.
In order to complete a production on time, a second unit may be asked
to film a different scene on another set or location at the same time,
using a different set of cast members, an assistant director, and a
second unit crew.
Post-production
Once principal photography is completed, producers coordinate
post-production tasks. Visual and digital effects and the film credits
are added. These are either done for a packaged rate at the
post-production house or outsourced to companies specializing in these
areas.
An editor cuts and assembles the various pieces of film together, adds
the musical score and effects (courtesy of the musical scorer/music
composer with his music artists and the sound designer with his sound
artists), determines scene transitions, and edits the film in
collaboration with the director.
Distribution
The release of the final cut of the film is not the end of it all. In
fact, it starts another stage of film production which is as important
as the rest of the stages. You don't shoot a film and let it get
buried inside the can. Once the film is finished, it is time for the
last stage of film production: the distribution.
Distribution includes all the tasks concerning the marketing of the
film (press releases, press kits, posters, trailers, promotional
materials and offers, among others), the exhibition/showing of the
film in moviehouses, and the video release of the film in DVD and VCD.
At this point of time, HD copies via blu-ray discs are on the rise as
well. So goes with internet streaming copies of the film for rent or
for sale in venues like Itunes. The film prints and/or the digital
copies are also sent to various local and international film
festivals/competitions and film markets.
The success of the film in the box office and its distribution in the
many media available become the basis for the filmmakers' and the film
outfit's sustainability and profit. And the quality of the film
provides the fulfillment for the filmmakers collaborating in the project.
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