Pre-production: Research Of The Film Industry

Information from: http://www.skillset.org/film/business/index.html

DEVELOPMENT - THE COMPONENTS NEEDED FOR FILM SUCCESS!

1) Idea

Inspiration plays the role in a film role in the film becoming reality. Film-makers can be influenced by the following:

• Real life events from biographies, newspapers etc...
• Remakes of existing films.
• Adaptations - Books often inspire successful film, eg, Harry Potter.
• Original Ideas - Film ideas from the director's own thoughts.

2) Producers 

• They look for something to attract audiences.
• They know what sells.
• Will acquire the right to a story, adaptation or original scripts. 
• Once they develop the director's vision it becomes reality. 
• Producer approaches the film production companies for development money.
• Producer works out how much it is to make.
• The market producer will need to use his or her networking knowledge and persuasion to attract investors (by bearing in mind that different countries offer a variety of tax breaks to those who fund films).
• Investments are made with the producer's lawyer

3) Directors

• Responsible for creative development.
• Will work with the producer to develop the idea.
• Important that the producer secures a reliable director.

4) Writers 

• Defines and clarifies the idea - Plot & Characters
• Producers usually approach the writer to stay in touch with what the film's about and to make sure it fits with the genre and budget.
• Most writers create a step outline to show what happens in each action in more detail eg. post it notes and cards.
• Writers must create their first draft - contains the dialogue, actions, events and sometimes transititions.
• Revisions - Once the writer and producer are happy with the draft it's sent to the financers. Script editors (if hired alongside the writer) help to overco me script problems.

5) Treatment (the writer has to write this)

• Description of key events and people, eg, a comedy film should be funny
• Portrays the film as unique and interesting.
• The producer uses this plus persuasion to get money to develop the script

 6) Pitch - Contains information the producer needs in order to sell the idea to financers.

This includes an outliner which is a one sentence description of the film; the genre which helps people understand the style/content of the film and the market who is the target audience based on age, sex education etc...

7) Packaging - Making the script into a full commercial proposition ready for financing

• The package is the selling tool to raise production money.
• Often to make it more commercial they attach well known stars which makes the package more valuable
• A top editor can transform a film because their credibility signifies the film is bound to be successful and enjoyable.
• Good production designer on board certifies the film will look right.
• An extremely important  creative figure in the film is the photographer because they translate the script into pictures.

Other things which needs to be considered when developing the film

• The rough budget which gives a reader an idea of the cost to make and the brief synopsis which gives  more detailed insight into the film's plot. 
• Some sales companies sometimes provide money for films they see are extremely marketable. 
• A broadcaster will ask for the right to show the film on certain TV channels in return for development money.
• Distribution company in return for development money ask for the right to distribute the film to exhibitors such as cinema outlets or alternative format.
• Public funding bodies (development grants) help improve the quality and variety of scripts in the uk.
• Some banks will invest in commercial film projects.

 PRODUCTION STAGES

There are three types of production: 

Pre-production

This involves identifying and casting actors; the storyboard is created in order to capture what's happens in each scene and video or sound effects are created to make the film more interesting - this can take months to do.

Production 

The shooting of the film begins where the camera department are responsible for getting all the footage that the director and producer needs to tell the story. The shot only begins once the lighting, sound and hair/makeup are sorted out. The actors must use their emotions to draw the audience into the film. The special effects are carefully constructed too and stunts are kept to the lowest risk possible.

Post production.

The processed footage is arranged into scenes for a narrative sequence by the editor. Then, the sound editor layers the audio track by creating every single sound. Later, the digital effect are added by specialist effects compositors where the credits and title is added. The final stage is when the colour of film clips are adjusted to establish the fine aesthetics of the film.

Distribution 

In order to secure sales of the film, the producer hires a sale agent who is a key importance in commercial success. They will estimate how well the film will do in the box office. A way in which the film can improve the sales is by making a trailer however, the producer must go through great lengths in creating a "Buzz" about the film by trying to get people in the film industry talking about it. Sometimes a high-profiled screening enables the hype to grow for the film until eventually, the producer seals a deal by signing a contract with a distributor.

The distibutor will obviously be expected a greatly executed film, therefore, the film companies often have a marketing team which allows them to focus on ways to grab the audience's attention. They do this by two methods called: "above the line" and "under the line". In other words, above the line means they market by making trailers, poster campaigns, and even material distributed via cinemas. On the other hand, below the line is more subtle and requires the film company to attend press meetings, make merchandise and do things which creates the "word of mouth" such as product tie-ins like when you go mcdonalds and get a toy which might be character from the film.

Exhibition

The film is premiered in the public scene with a swarm of media coverage to create a stronger hype about the film which usually includes high class actors. Distributors provides the exhibitors with the exhibitors. The more screens it's shown at, the more film prints needed. Then after the box office reciepts, the exhibitors take their share of the profits which the distributor recoups with their marketing costs.

Films are sometimes shown on hotel channels or flights which can bring in lots of revenue. The uk audience spend more on DVDS so usually a great deal of profit is made by releasing one.The final source of revenue: TV but the broadcaster must acquire rights to show it first. As a bonus, the film can be released as a game for more cash. Once the film makes lots of profit the producer and key creative people rake in tonnes of money. Lastly, the film might be re-released in the future for a special purpose such as a 25th anniversary since it was made.