The Seven Stages of Filmmaking
If you’ve ever caught yourself looking up the details of a movie you had just seen, it’s likely because something stood out for you in the film. Perhaps a particular character nailed their role, or you found the filming techniques impressive, or the location was so fascinating that you’d want to visit. Here are the seven stages that the movie passed before hitting your screen.
Film production starts with the conception of an idea, which can come from a book, another movie, or a true story. Although a lot can change along the production cycle, everything hinges on the initial idea. It determines plot development, the script, characters, budget, and crew size.
The development stage is all about planning and organizing. It’s where the film’s idea is scripted, location, cast and crew scouted, and financial logistics considered. The sources of finances determine the duration of the development stage.
The development stage of an independent (self-financed) movie tends to be relatively shorter. A studio-backed movie can take several months to years because the producer must prove its viability to get sponsors on board. And only then will the project get green-lighted.
Once the producer receives a go-ahead, the project enters the pre-production, which entails narrowing everything down. The line producer reviews and sets the final budget during this stage while the director polishes the script and identifies the cast, crew, and shoot location.
Once everything is decided, creative planning begins. Creative planners handle concept and set design, costuming, rehearsing, equipment testing, and the visualization of the actual shoot. They ensure everyone involved is on board and everything is set for the production stage.
Also known as principal photography, the production stage is where the film idea is captured on camera. The director supervises the shoot, and the crew captures all the necessary scenes.
Behind the scenes are other equally crucial players responsible for catering, billing, scheduling, and technical support. These departments ensure everyone has what they need to do their job.
Photography is the shortest but most expensive part of the entire film production cycle. During this stage, the writer, producer, director, and other key personnel must be in sync. This ensures they adhere to the schedule and plan to avoid delays and cost overruns.
Once shooting is over and the cameras are off, the director disassembles and clears the set. This stage is called a wrap. It signals a successful shoot and paves the way for post-production.
The footage is edited during the post-production stage. Photography likely took days or weeks, translating to several hours of footage. It’s up to the editor to condense them into an hour or two of runtime.
The editor cuts and assembles the footage to make a rough cut. They then add sound and visual effects, soundtracks, and subtitles (where applicable), among other film elements.
Once the film has been edited and is ready for viewing, distribution begins. Distribution can take the form of direct-to-video (DVDs), theatrical releases, or selling the rights to a TV network or a streaming service like Netflix. The film must be distributed for the filmmaker to recoup their investment.
You may have rated a movie one star. Perhaps it was not your type, the cinematography was subpar, or the lighting, sound, and visual effects were just off. Still, it’s likely the movie took quite some planning because most movies, even the boring ones, follow the seven stages of film production.
