Overview of Professional Film Production

By

Loris Greaud

Stages of the Filmmaking Process

Development Preproduction Production Postproduction

DevelopmentBegins from the moment someone

says “Let’s make a movie!”Ends when we start actually hiring

people.Can take from many months to many

years.

Where do movie ideas come from?

Original Ideas

Novels Real Life Broadway

MusicComicsOther Movies/TV shows

Development Stages of the Script

Idea Synopsis Treatment

Screenplay (Author’s Final)Shooting Script

Synopis A brief summary of

the storyline. The Widow Paris is the story of Marie Leveau and how she develops from faithful Catholic to Voodoo queen .

Treatment Generally written in

simple prose. Includes all of the

major scenes, but... little or no dialogue.

The Widow ParisTreatment

As Jacques Paris chissels strange symbols on the lid of a wooden box in his carpenter's studio, Marie Paris assists Pere Antoine as the aging priest administers the last rites to a yellow fever victim in a slave’s shack while the worried relatives look on. When Jacques' blade accidently cuts his hand Marie reacts as if striken herself and when a drop of Jacque's blood spills inside the box, the yellow fever victim breathes his last and Marie rushes from the room shaken. Pere Antoine joins her outside the shack. Convinced that she's fatigued from the long day of visiting fever victims, he sends her home. Marie finds Jacques collapsed on the floorin his studio, conscious, but unable to talk. Marie examines the box Jacques was working on and discovers a note with the name of the voodoun Dr. John on it. Marie brings the box to Dr. John and tells him to take the "fix" off her husband. He tells her that he can't since the loa (spirits) are using Jacques to get to her. He tells her that she has a spiritual power and offers to help her realize it. When she shuns his offer he tells her about a job opportunity as a hair dresser for Judge Fouquet's wife and gives her a charm to help her land the job.

Screenplay (“author’s final”) Written in “master

scene” form. Usually only the first

shot of a scene is described.

All dialogue is included.

9. INT. MARIE'S COTTAGE--NIGHT Marie opens the door to Jacque's work room. The box he was working on sits on the table lit by candles at each of its four corners.

MARIE Jacques?

Marie crosses and studies the box. Something stirs in the room, startling her. It's Jacques sitting on the floor, shrouded in flickering shadows. MARIE Jacques! She kneels beside him and sees a bloody rag tied around his hand.

Screenplay Format

Producer The term”producer” means many

things. The “executive producer” is the

person responsible for raising the money and caring the project through to its final exploitation.

How do you raise money for a movie?

Write a check? Get a loan from a bank? Investors?

Producer must create an attractive “package”

Producer’s own track record Option a “property” Option stars Option a director/writer

Preproduction

Begins when we start hiring people. Ends when we begin filming.

Usually takes several weeks to several months.

After at least the “startup” money is raised, the producer usually hires...

Production Manager Screen Writer(s) Director

Production Management Shooting Script Storyboard Script

Breakdown

Location ScoutingShooting ScheduleBudget

Shooting Script Script is “lined”

and prepared for breakdown.

Storyboard

Script Breakdown Sheet Location/

Time of Day

Characters

Costumes Props

Mechanical EffectsSpecial

EquipmentStunts

Transportation / Food

Shooting Schedule Efficiency Availability Performer’s

needs Guild regulations Psychology

Budget Cast Crew Equipment /

Supplies Sets /

Locations

LabCostumes / Makeup PropsTransportation / Food

ProductionBegins when we put film in a camera.Ends when “principal photography” is completed--i.e. the film is “wrapped.”

Usually takes several weeks to several months.

Production Organization

First Assistant D irectorSecond Assistant D irector

Second Second ADProduction Assistant

E lectrics

Gaffer

First ACSecond AC

Loader/C lapper

Cam era Operator

G ripsD olly G rip

Key Grip

D irector o f PhotographyR esponsible for the "look"

of the film

Boom Operator Cable Puller

Production Sound M ixerR esponsible for the location

sound record ing.

DIRECTORR esponsib le fo r coord inating a ll o f the artis tic and technica l ac tiv ities o f the p roduction phase.

Other Crew Possibilities Production

Designer Art Director Costume

Designer

WardrobeMakeupStunts