Institutional Research - Part 1

Firstly someone gets an idea for the film which is inspired by everything around them, then that person goes to the producer who decides wheatear or not the idea will work. If the idea is good enough the director will start to transform the script so it will work well onscreen. The writer then takes the idea, defines and clarifies it turning it into something tangible. After that is complete the treatment is produces, the treatment is a one page description of the main story and the characteristics of the film. Once this is done the pitch is created which is used to sell the idea to potential financers.

After this first stage is complete the producer sets out to get development finance for the film from companies. Sometimes they will offer the future sales and broadcast rights to the film in return for investment. The producer can also apply to the UK film council for a grant and even go to private investors for money.

After the producer has got the development finance he or she will start the script development process. The writer will produce a synopsis and the producer will agree or disagree on key scenes. Part of the writer’s fee will be conditional on the delivery of their first draft; this can be the hardest part of screen writing. Once both the producer and the writer are happy the idea is sent to financers all of which have their own ideas. Once everyone is happy with the script it becomes locked off and the writer is paid. The treatment is then written.

The producer and director now package the film to make it ready for financing. They make the project more commercial by attaching well known actors to it. The director will then work out a rough budget for how much the movie will cost. Once that is done the investors are told what their money will be spent on and how the producer will pay them back. Now that the producer has packaged the film it is time to see what people think of it.

This is where the financing stage begins. The producer will travel around the world to find investors. Once potential investors have been found the producer’s lawyer draws up contracts to seal the deals with investors. There are actually specialist departments of banks which invest in film and commercial projects. Once the essential insurance and funding parts are completed the producer relaxes.

Then the pre-production begins. All of the heads of department are hired and the shooting script is passed between them. The casting director then begins to identify and cast the actors. The storyboard is made explaining all the shots throughout the film and the special effects shots are planned. The planning of these special effects shots can take months to design and build.