Research into Film Industry

Production

The main stages of a film production include: 

1.      Development – A producer picks a story; whether it is going to be an adaptation from a book (fiction and/or non-fiction), play, musical, another film or a story they may have created on their own. The producer then works with writers to develop the story and outline. The writers focus mainly on the context, mood and character developments. They then work with screenwriters, who then write screenplays. They focus mainly on how things would look like on-screen i.e. visually – they would focus on how the actors will act, how the actors would be dressed, add stage directions and add dialogues. Sometimes, some companies only hire a writer to act as both the writer and the screenwriter. The producer and writer then ‘pitch’ their idea to sponsors. If their pitch has been accepted, then the upcoming film is ‘green-lit’ – meaning that the producers are financially secured by sponsors.  A deal will be made and the companies involved sign a contract. The film now is set to go to the pre-production stage. We have replicated this stage in our development of the film outline and 'pitching' some of our ideas to the class.
2.       Pre-production – A production company is then created (usually is led by the producer or director). The film is then ‘storyboarded’ by illustrators and concept artists. The production budget is also being taken into account at this stage.  A production company depends on the type of film – e.g. blockbusters hire a large number of cast and crew whilst independent films only have no more than 20 (including cast).  These are some of the jobs in a production company:
   >Director:  In charge of telling how each departments should work and makes the decisions (what makes in the final cut). Helps the actors – how they would want them to act.
   >Unit Production Manager: Manages production budget and production schedule. Reports on behalf of the production company to the sponsors.
   >Assistant Director (AD): mainly manages the shooting schedule.Casting Director:  responsible for picking the right actor for the right role.
   >Location Manager: finds suitable locations for the film – sometimes it’s in the studio or in a specific location.
   >Director of Photography (DP): takes care of the photography of the whole film.
   >Director of Audiography (DA): (sound designer/supervising sound editor) takes care of the audiography (sound) of the whole film.
   >Production Sound Mixer: head of sound during filmmaking. They record audio on set – dialogue and sound effects. They work with the director, first AD, DA,DP and the boom operator.
   >Composer: Composes original score for the film. (usually not until post-production)
   >Production Designer: works concerned in visual matters works with art directors.
   >Art Director: in charge of the art department – makes production sets.
   >Costume Designer
   >Makeup and Hair Designer
   >Choreographer: helps and instructs with movement and/or dance. Fight choreographers and stunt co-ordinators help make a fight scene believable by training the actors in combat. We have replicated this stage through our storybvoarding and our organisation of the cast, locations, props etc.
3. Production – This is the stage where the all the film shooting takes place.  The cast and crew have their own ‘call times’. A call time is the time when the cast or crew is supposed to turn up for shooting in a specific set/location. Set construction, costume and lighting are usually set up in advance as they take many hours or days. Whilst the crew prepare their equipment, actors get ready by going to the costume, makeup and hair department. The actors then rehearse their script and ‘blocking’ with the director and practice with the camera and crew before taking the shot. The director shouts ‘cut’ and the camera and sound stops recording. If the director is not satisfied with the take, they may take as many shots as they want. When the whole production stage is completed, the production company usually arranges a wrap party to thank the cast and crew for their hard work. We have replicated this stage through our filming - apart from the wrap party...
4. Post-production  – This is where most of the editing takes place. Clips are put together, dialogues/narrations are added, score/music is added, special effects – CG work if needed, additional videos (archival footage or others that was not shot by the company). We will use various editing packages to put together our film.
5. Distribution – A distribution company has the say on how the film is distributed and can turn down production companies’ work if they don’t think the film will be a huge success. They work to get the films distributed in the cinemas (mostly blockbusters) or the Internet (independent films – paid or unpaid). After a few months, the film is then released into DVDs with special features such as commentary, behind-the-scenes or a gag reel to garner the attention of the moviegoers. If a specific film belongs to a series i.e. Iron Man, Incredible Hulk, Captain America, Thor all belong to The Avengers they may be released into a box set edition, usually with a limited edition packaging or a special edition item. A distribution company is also responsible for the creation of advertising the film to attract a large audience. They usually create posters, magazine and newspaper adverts and trailers (on TV and in cinemas) etc.
6. Marketing – Audience research can usually add up to $1 million for each film. These areas are involved in audience research (source: Wikipedia)
   >Positioning studies versus other films that will premiere at the same time
   >Test screenings of finished or nearly finished films – this is the most well known
   >Testing of audience response to advertising materials
   >Tracking surveys of audience awareness of a film starting six weeks before premiere
   >Exit surveys questioning film goers about their demographic makeup and effectiveness of marketing >Title testing in an early stage
   >Concept testing that would occur in development phase of a film before it is produced.

Each blockbuster film may have its own website. On this, fans loyal to an adaptation of the film or the stars can explore the film via games, trivia, competitions, some clips in the film and several versions of the theatrical trailers.

Advertisements of such films include: trailers (on TV and in cinemas); posters; games and trivia on advertising banners on websites; standees; 

merchandising such as action figures, 

books tied-in with the film,

replicas of props and printed images of the film on various everyday objects e.g. lunchboxes, notebooks, mousepads etc.; interviews/talkshows with the director/producer/main actors; 

viral campaign – ‘leaks’ of some clips of the film or building up a fanbase. Sequels or spin-offs may be green-lit if the film’s box office was successful.

Mr. Nobody
Produced by: Philippe Godeau
Distributed by: Wild Bunch
Budget: $47 million

Thor
Produced by: Kevin Feige
Distributed by: Parmount Pictures
Budget: $150 million

X-Men: First Class
Produced by: Gregory Goodman, Simon Kinberg, Lauren Shuler Donner and Bryan Singer
Distributed by: 20th Century Fox
Budget: $140-160 million