Filmmaking

From ArticleWorld

Filmmaking is the process through which a film is made. Those involved in the process include the cast and crew, to name but a few. Every type of film undergoes the filmmaking process, whether it is filmed using actors, animated or a mixture of the two. The filmmaking process can take some time, dependent on the type and size of the film being made, and this also determines the number of people required to work on the making the film.

Stages

The filmmaking process consists of five clear stages.

1. The first is the development stage, where an idea is taken and a plan is made as to how the idea would translate into a film plot. This idea could be inspired by a book, or it could be a new idea created by an individual. An important step here is the construction of the screenplay, a first draft script, which is then shown to the studios during what is known as a pitch, to try to encourage a studio to sign up to making the idea.
2. Once a studio agrees to make it the film goes into preproduction. Here the film is allocated a budget and individual crew members use it to buy what they need in order to make the film. This can be for purchasing props, costumes and especially hiring actors to fill the roles.
3. The film then goes into production, which is the point at which the film is made and filmed.
4. Once all of the filming has been done, the post-production team edit the footage and compile it into a coherent story which fits into the allotted running time of the film.
5. Finally comes the distribution stage where the finished product is shown at cinemas or, for some films, released straight on to DVD or VHS for the home audience.

Independent film

The process detailed above for filmmaking is that which is used by many large studios, particularly those in Hollywood. However films are made outside of this system and this is known as independent filmmaking. The costs associated with purchasing filming equipment have fallen drastically making it easier for more people to create a film themselves. The majority of the editing can be done on a home computer so that costs are kept very low. The problem with this is that it can then be hard to get the film seen by audiences as there is no studio to ensure it is successfully distributed.

Many independent filmmakers rely on film festivals to show their film and hope that it is signed by a studio at this stage to gain a wider release. The internet has also made it easier for films to be seen and although this does not often make money for the filmmaker, it can heighten awareness of them and their work.