Key Film Production Process Steps that You Should Know

Everybody enjoys a good film; in this article we’re a going to discuss a few of the key film production process steps. We are all familiar with the glamour of film premiers and the pure joy that is sitting in a cinema and enjoying a well-made movie. Still, very few of us are aware of the amount of work that goes into the making of a film from the pre-production all the way to the post production stage and the showcasing of the final product. So let’s dive right into the fascinating world of film making.

Stages of film production

There are 7 stages to the film production process and we are going to take a brief look at all seven of them so that you can have an idea of how movies are made.

1. Development

This first stage will usually begin with the writing and development of the script; it could either be an original script or an existing script or even a book adaptation. This is also the stage where the writers or director pitches the film idea in order to get funding.

2. Preproduction

This is where all the pre shoot planning happens. At this point the producer will usually hire a production manager to create a shooting schedule for the production. Casting and logistics planning also usually takes place during this stage.

3. Production

This is the final stage of the planning phase of production. This is where the final details of the production are discussed and fine-tuned. This stage is very important to ensure the smooth running of the filming process.

4. Principal Photography

This is where all the magic happens and all the plans come together. This is the stage where the actual filming takes place. The entire cast and crew come together to create the visual magic that will be displayed on your screens. This stage can be long and requires good communication, efficiency and organisation in order to coordinate the various groups while staying on schedule and keeping within the budget.

5. Wrap

This is the part immediately after the actual filming is concluded. Sets are usually dismantled and everything is restored to its previous order.

6. Post production

This is the stage where all the footage is analysed and assembled into a complete film. This is what is essentially known as the editing process. It can be a very technical and can take up quite a bit of time. Visual effects, music and sound engineering are also incorporated into the film during this stage.

7. Distribution

This is the final stage of the filming process and it carries great importance. The completed film needs to be distributed in order for the producers to make returns on their investment and even turn a profit. Films are usually distributed through cinemas or direct consumer media like DVD or Blu-Ray or even online platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime.

What is the Process of Video Production?

Video is a very effective and interactive form of visual communication. Video production involves the actual filming of the footage and is arguably one of the most important stages of filming. It is the stage where the script really comes to life and is manifested visually. Here are the two stages of video production

1. Principal Photography

This is the stage where the lights, sets and cameras are set up and the actual filming begins. The cinematographers will usually shoot the relevant footage and even a bit of B roll to add a bit of depth and diversity to the footage.

Apart from cameras, equipment like steadicams and video stabilizers come in handy in order to provide smooth and professional- looking footage. Creativity plays a very big role in this stage in order to produce unique and captivating footage.

2. Post Production

In this stage, the post production team goes through the footage and then finally assembles it according to the script. A lot of the music, sound and visual effects are added to the footage in order to create a complete film.

What is the Average Salary of a Film Producer?

The average film producer makes around $70,950 a year according to the U.S Department of Labour.  Since this is an average figure, it means that there are producers who are making less or more than that amount, actually there are quite a few producers who are raking in the millions every year.

Basically a film producer’s success is staked on their reputation and the success of their previous film. It really is a hit or miss kind of situation.

For this reason many successful film producers will usually work on a number of films in a year to increase the likelihood of success.

It is a very competitive and demanding area of work, but when it is done right, it can often be quite lucrative.

The Best Video Camera for Filmmaking

Cameras have really come a long way over the years. There are now faster, lighter and more accessible to the wider market.

But with this convenience comes the unrelenting bombardment of numerous brands each sporting unique and amazing features, picking a camera might prove to be a challenge. We had this in mind when we came up with this list of cameras that go for less than $1500 and produce amazing footage.

So whether you are filming a short indie film or a YouTube video, here are some cameras that you should consider looking into:

1. Canon EOS 7D II
2. Canon EOS 80D
3. Fujifilm X- E3
4. Sony Alpha a6500

These are all amazing cameras that have proven to be quite handy in the filmmaking process. They are all DSLR camera’s with the ability to record in 4K. They also have pretty reasonable price tags and amazing reviews.

The best thing about these cameras though, is their compact size which not only makes them extremely light weight but also compatible with many of the hand held stabilizers that I’ve mentioned in previous articles like the Beholder DS1.

I cannot overstate the importance of having a steadicam or a handheld stabilizer in your filming arsenal. They will literally revolutionize your filming process and the footage you produce. I hope that this article helped shed some light on the often lesser known world of film production.