Crystal's Homework

Film industry lesson 1 

Homework

PRODUCTION

Development stage: 

Development stage is where a story outline is developed into a feasible script. A detailed screenplay will then be written with minute details of the characters, situations and overall style. Process involved in developing the screenplay is called as script coverage. With the detailed screenplay a potential financier will be approached. When the financier is impressed with the screenplay they agree to give the financial backing for the production of the movie.

Pre-production Stage:

In the pre-production stage, the movie is crafted in detail and a production budget is drawn. It is in this stage the producer hire the crew whose team size depends on the budget of the movie. Big budget movies will have a crew of nearly hundred members where as low budget movie will engage a ten or even less number of crews. The director, assistant director, art director, choreographer, cinematographer, music composer and music director are the main members of the crew.

Production Stage:

Next is the production stage where the film is created and then shot. In this stage the production office recruits more crew members like the property masters, script supervisors, still photographers, sound editors and so on. During this stage the whole unit will be busy, as the crew will be preparing their equipments, actors will be rehearsing the script and discussing with the director, etc. It is a custom widely followed to have a wrap party at the end of the project to thank one and all of the crew teams.

Post-Production Stage:

In the Post-Production stage it is mainly the editor who plays a key role. It is the film editor who assembles the film. The film editor first builds a rough sketch from different scenes or sequences based on individual shots. In the next step, the process of trimming a few minutes or seconds is done to create a professional cut of all shots to make it flow smoothly. After this the producer and director approval will be sought. The locked picture is passed on to develop the sound track to the sound track department. Voice recordings and the ultimate sound mix are created.

DISTRIBUTION MARKETING AND EXHIBITION 

Distribution is the final stage, when the movies are released for the public. Copies of the movie are taken for distribution to theaters. The movie is publicized with wall posters, TV commercials, press kits etc. Usually the movie will be released with a press releases, launch party, and preview for the press. Rights for distribution of the movie worldwide and in DVD will be sold to a single person/company or different persons/companies.

The Film Value Chain

Usually feature films open first ‘theatrically’ – (ie: in cinemas). A cinema release has long been, and still remains, the most effective way to bestow stature on a film and create demand to see it. But the cinema is just one link in the value chain. After the big screen run, films are released in flexible timescales in a growing range of other formats so consumers may choose how, when and where to watch. These are the ‘ancillary markets.’

The film value chain
Theatrical Launch	A film is release in cinemas. A good opening weekend is crucial for the success of a film
Non-theatrical	License Aeroplanes, hotels, coaches
Home entertainment	Films are packaged for release on digital media such as DVD and BluRay, and made available for download,
Pay/subscription TV	Pay Per View, Video on Demand, Sky,Virgin Media
Free to air TV	Films may be scheduled repeatedly on TV channels year after year
Licensed Merchandising	Rights sold to manufacturers of merchandise to use brand on their products