Filmmaking

Filmmaking is the act of making a movie using a film recording medium. Moviemaking is the act of making a movie using a film or video recording medium.

The filmmaking and moviemaking Hollywood adventure films need Computer Generated Imagery (CGI), created by dozens of teams of 3D modellers, animators, rotoscopers and compositors. However a low-budget, independent film might have a crew of only fifty people.

Development

This is the stage where you turn a thought or hunch into a desireable commodity - the movie. The following steps are normally initiated by the Producer of the movie:

• Find a story - in books, other films, true stories, original ideas, etc.
• Identify the Theme - what is the underlying message or purpose of the story?
• Write a Synopsis - a one-page description of the story.
• Write a Step Outline - a breakdown of the story into one paragraph scenes, concentrating on the dramatic structure.
• Write a Treatment - a 25-30 page description of the story, its mood and characters, with little dialogue and stage direction.
• Identify the genre and target audience of the movie.
• Visualize key points in the story and hire a Concept Artist to capture these in impressive drawings .
• Contact a distributor to assess the likely market for the movie.
• Write a screenplay over a period of six months - hire a Screenwriter or do it yourself.
• Rewrite the screenplay a half-dozen times to improve the dramatization. With each rewrite, try to improve the following areas:
  • First: clarity
  • Second: structure
  • Third: characters
  • Fourth: dialogue
  • Fifth: style
  • Sixth: polish
• Make copies of the screenplay and the drawings
• Prepare the movie "pitch"
• Compile a marketable package for the movie:
  • Approach leading actors or directors and get them to commit to the movie in writing.
  • Procure financial backing from a major Studio, Film Council or independent investors.
• Negotiates the deal and signs contracts.

Preproduction

This is the stage where you design and plan the movie. The following steps are normally initiated by the Producer:

• Hire a Production Accountant
• Create the Production Company
• Set up the Production Office
• Hire the following crew:
  • Director - directs the production process and the principal actors.
  • Casting Director
  • Location Manager
  • Production Manager - macro-manages the production Budget and Schedule. Also reports on behalf of the Production Office to the financiers.
  • Production Assistant
  • First Assistant Director (1AD) - micro-manages the production Schedule and daily process. Also mediates between the Director and the Crew during Production.
  • Director of Photography (DOP) - designs and coordinates the picture and lighting. Cooperates with the Director, 1AD, DOA and AD.
  • Production Designer - designs the look and feel of the setting and costumes.
  • Storyboard Artist/Graphic Designer - helps the Director and Production Designer to express their ideas.
  • Director of Audiography (DOA) - designs and coordinates the sound and music. Cooperates with the Director, 1AD, DOP and AD. This role is common in Bollywood films but usually overlooked in Hollywood films, where dialogue is often replaced in postproduction.
  • Sound Designer - creates new sounds.
  • Music Composer - creates new music.
  • Choreographer - creates and coordinates the movement and dance, typically for musicals.
• Storyboard the Production
• Budget the Production
• Cast the movie
• Plan the Schedule
• Design the Production sets
• Design the costumes and makeup
• Design the music and sound

Production

This is the stage where you create and shoot the movie. Take the following steps:

• Cast the 16mm filmmaking
• Screenplay