There are three main parts to producing a film. These are: Pre-production; production and post-production.
Pre-production: This is when the cast and film crew are hired; the setting/location is chosen and the sets are built. Before this happens the projects producer chooses a story in which will be played in the film (these stories may come from books, other films, true stories and may also be an original idea). After choosing the film the producer works writers to prepare a synopsis. They then break down the story into paragraphs so that each paragraph will become a scene in order to have a dramatic structure and allow the film to be organized and make sense. After this is done a screenwriter writes a screen play through a period of several months; during these months he may re-write the screen play in order to improve things such as clarity, structure, character, dialogue, dramatization and improve overall style (many producers skip this stage). A film distributor is contacted months before to assess the likely market and potential financial success of the film. The producer and screen writer prepare a film pitch and present it to potential financiers; if it is successful the film receives a ‘green light’ which means someone offers financial banking. The people whom are involved negotiate a deal and sign contracts. Overall the main purpose of the pre-production is to make sure that the film is designed carefully and planned well. After the deal has been confirmed the film can carry on to the next stage which is production and by this stage the film would have a clear defined marketing strategy and target audience.
Production: This is when the finished film is created and recorded. In this stage more people would be hired such as the property master, script supervisor, assistant directors, stills photographer, picture editor, and sound editors. The shooting begins with the crew arriving on the sets by their call times; actors usually have separate call times since it takes hours and sometimes days to set construction, dressing and lighting. The grip, electric and production design crews are always a step ahead and prepare the next seen while the previous seen is being filmed; this is for efficiency. While the crew prepare the equipments the actors go to wardrobe and makeup where they get changed into their costumes; get their hair done; and get their makeup done. The actor then rehears their scripts with the camera and sound crews in order to make corrections and make the final changes. The action is then shot in many takes (this is the director’s choice). The assistance manager is in charge of informing everyone when they should be quiet; the sound should be operated if the take needs sound; when the camera operator should start filming and when the take is over. If the director decides the take needs to be re-done then the process is then repeated and once the director is satisfied the crew wraps up their things and move onto the next scene, set or camera angle. At the end of the day the director approves the next day schedule and a daily progress report is sent to the production office. Call sheets are given to the cast and crew to tell them when and where their call times will be for the next day however the director, producer, other department heads and sometimes cast may gather up and watch the days footage which is called dailies to review their work. When the entire film is completed it is a custom that the production office a wrap party to thank the cast and crew for their efforts.
Post-Production: This is the
stage where the film is put together by the film editor. These are the final
stages of how the film is released in cinemas and sometimes to consumer media
like DVD, blue ray and so on. Copies are made of the film so that it can be
distributed to cinema’s and the film is advertised and promoted. Film
distributors often release the film with launch party, press releases,
interviews with the press, press preview screenings, and film festival
screenings. The film plays at selected cinemas and the DVD typically is
released a few months later. The distribution rights for the film and DVD are
also usually sold for worldwide distribution. The distributor and the
production company share profits.
The production cycle usually takes three years; the first year taken up
with development, second year with preproduction and production and the thirst
year with post-production and distribution. DISTRIBUTION
There are many different ways of films getting form the edit house to the audience.
One of the ways that a film can get from the edit house to the audience is called standard release. This is where the movie is first released by movie theaters then after around 16 and half weeks it is released to DVD. After a few months it is then released to pay TV and VOD services and then after approximately two years after its theatrical release date it is made available for free-to-air TV.
Another way for the film to get to the audience is by simultaneous
release this is when the movie is made available on any media at the same time
or different times with little space gaps; these are media like the cinema,
internet, DVD and so on.
Straight-to-video release is when the movie is released on DVD without
being in theatres.
Internet release is when audiences will be able to download the film
and watch it in their own home.
Trailers are a good way of marketing/promoting a film since they are delivered directly to people who watch and have an interest in movies. These trailers also screen in theatres before it is shown in theatres and they tell the story of the movie in a very appealing way in less than two and a half minutes. Film posters allow the film to be promoted because of the tag line which is normally very catchy, the name of the film which may allow audiences to lead to watching the trailer and therefore could lead them into watching the film. Film posters also help marketing because of the people who stare in the movie sometimes as they may be very well known and great actors.
Television and radio help market the film as very short TV commercials
are made, and newspaper adds are put into newspapers ect. These TV adds are
effective because they can gain a large amount of audiences in very less time. Interviews
with casts and the director also allow the movie to be promoted as well as
behind the scenes footage and advanced trailers. Also the film can be promoted
through magazine adds and newspaper adds all depending on the target audience
since if the target audience is younger then the adds may be on magazines and
if the target audience is older the adds may be on newspapers and billboards
since it will enable them to see it whilst driving to working.
Merchandising will help market the film as there can be promotion
giveaways such as drink cups, toys and even food combinations at fast food
chains. This will gain audience as the name of the film will be spread and
people will see the brand of the toys and cups and even T-shirts and since
T-shirts will be worn even more people will see them and want to know what the
brand is and therefore they may go and watch the film.
Word of mouth helps to spread the word of a film as the word of mouth
soon goes to everyone as people watch it as they have been told how great the
movie is. When this happens the word is moved onto social networking sites such
as facebook, twitter, myspace and so on and it is spread really fast because
these social networking sites have millions of users.
No comments:
Post a Comment