by Conan Simmons – August 26, 2020 – 4:49 pm
Ingmar Bergman once said that all you need to stage a play are three elements: an idea, an actor and an audience. This is very true. An idea could take the form of a screenplay, an actor could be a person or an object to be animated, and an audience may either be a live crowd or a recording device such as a camera. But how do you get these three elements together? That’s where the five fundamental phases of filmmaking come in.
Here you will learn the basic process of filmmaking that everyone should know before starting into production. Filmmaking is a process, a process that I break down for you into the five fundamental phases.
PHASE ONE: DEVELOPMENT
The development phase is the very beginning. This is when an idea is formed for what the movie will be. Is it a comedy or a drama? Sci-fi fantasy or realistic melodrama? Every good movie centers this phase around the writing of a screenplay. The producer will create a detailed budget raise enough money to begin hiring and above the line talent will become attached, usually the director and one or two star actors. Depending on the needs of the production, sometimes an art director, cinematographer and, for effects heavy films, a special effects department will be hired. Financing is obtained to start into the next phases of the process.
PHASE TWO: PREPRODUCTION
The writer has completed at least a working draft of the screenplay, enough for the other craftspeople to begin working from. The producer has raised the money to hire production crews to create the sets designed by the art director. Locations are scouted and secured for filming outside the studios. Costumes are designed, sound crews hired, makeup artists brought in. All cast and crew positions should be filled and scheduled for the duration of the filming. The producer should have the money available to cover all costs of the next phase. That includes film insurance even for the stunt people that may be needed.
PHASE THREE: FILMING (THE PRODUCTION ITSELF)
The production team has successfully scheduled everyone to show up at the designated filming location on time. Trailers for the stars to change into costume are properly placed as are catering trucks for lunch. The cameras begin rolling and the director’s vision beams into life. Every day brings its own potential obstacles to the production (i.e. rain, snow), valuable time is saved by having gone through the previous two phases of filmmaking.
PHASE FOUR: POST PRODUCTION
The final shot has been filmed and the director has called it a wrap. The rough footage is taken to a film editor who works with the director to put the scenes in order. A music score is recorded and sound mixers bring all the audio elements together to enhance the emotional impact of the visuals. Special effects artists complete their work and any reshoots for certain scenes will be scheduled and filmed. Now that the movie has been filmed it’s time to get into that last phase of the filmmaking process.
PHASE FIVE: COMPLETION
The movie is complete with music and audio. Now the producer acquires promotional material in the way of posters, soundtrack albums, tie-in merchandise. Behind the scenes videos can be released. Distribution is secured either before or after screening at a film festival. A trailer is cut together and sent to potential exhibitors. Premieres attended and if the movie is a hit awards garnered and money gained.
After that it’s back to phase one for your next production.
There are countless details that go into each process and if you subscribe to On Genre you won’t miss out for when I break down those details for you. Until then keep the cameras rolling and I’ll see you on the silver screen.