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A film being made in Warsaw, Bracka street

Filmmaking is the process of making a film, from an initial story idea or commission through scriptwriting, shooting, editing and finally distribution to an audience. Typically it involves a large number of people and can take anywhere between a few months and several years to complete. Filmmaking takes place all over the world in a huge range of economic, social and political contexts, using a variety of technologies and techniques. Image File history File links Question_book-3. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (2000x3008, 2282 KB) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Filmmaking Metadata This file contains additional information, probably added from the digital camera or scanner used to create... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (2000x3008, 2282 KB) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Filmmaking Metadata This file contains additional information, probably added from the digital camera or scanner used to create... For other uses, see Warsaw (disambiguation) and Warszawa (disambiguation). ... This article is about motion pictures. ...

Stages of filmmaking

Filmmaking consists of five main stages:

• Development. The script is written and drafted into a workable blueprint for a film.
• Pre-production. Preparations are made for the shoot, in which cast and crew are hired, locations are selected, and sets are built.
• Production. The raw elements for the finished film are recorded.
• Post-production. The film is edited; music tracks (and songs) are composed, performed and recorded; sound effects are designed and recorded; and any other computer-graphic 'visual' effects are digitally added, and the film is fully completed.
• Sales and distribution. The film is screened for potential buyers (distributors), is picked up by a distributor and reaches its theater and/or dvd audience.

Look up Development in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Sample from a screenplay, showing dialogue and action descriptions. ... Pre-production is the process of preparing all the elements involved in a film, play, or other performance. ... Post production is the general term for the last stage of film production in which photographed scenes (also called footage) are put together into a complete film. ... Wikibooks [[wikibooks:|]] has more about this subject: Marketing Distribution is one of the 4 aspects of marketing. ... A Film distributor is an independent company, a subsidiary company or occasionally an individual, which acts as the final agent between a film production company or some intermediary agent, and a film exhibitor, to the end of securing placement of the producers film on the exhibitors screen. ...

Development

This is the stage where an idea is fleshed out into a viable script. The producer of the movie will find a story, which may come from books, plays, other films, true stories, original ideas, etc. Once the theme, or underlying message, has been identified, a synopsis will be prepared. This is followed by a step outline, which breaks the story down into one-paragraph scenes, concentrating on the dramatic structure. Next, a treatment is prepared. This is a 25 to 30 page description of the story, its mood and characters, with little dialog and stage direction, often containing drawings to help visualize the key points. A film producer creates the conditions for making movies. ... A step outline is a detailed telling of a story intended to be turned into a screenplay for a motion picture. ... A treatment or more properly film treatment is a short piece of prose intended to be turned into a screenplay for a motion picture. ... A theatre director is a principal in the theatre field who oversees and orchestrates the mounting of a play by unifying various endeavors and aspects of production. ...

The screenplay is then written over a period of several months, and may be rewritten several times to improve the dramatization, clarity, structure, characters, dialogue, and overall style. However, producers often skip the previous steps and develop submitted screenplays which are assessed through a process called script coverage. A film distributor should be contacted at an early stage to assess the likely market and potential financial success of the film. Hollywood distributors will adopt a hard-headed business approach and consider factors such as the film genre, the target audience, the historical success of similar films, the actors who might appear in the film and the potential directors of the film. All these factors imply a certain appeal of the film to a possible audience and hence the number of "bums on seats" during the theatrical release. Not all films make a profit from the theatrical release alone, therefore DVD sales and worldwide distribution rights need to be taken into account. Sample from a screenplay, showing dialogue and action descriptions. ... Script coverage is a filmmaking term for the analysis and grading of screenplays, often within the script development department of a production company. ... A Film distributor is an independent company, a subsidiary company or occasionally an individual, which acts as the final agent between a film production company or some intermediary agent, and a film exhibitor, to the end of securing placement of the producers film on the exhibitors screen. ... In film theory, genre refers to the primary method of film categorization. ...

The movie pitch is then prepared and presented to potential financiers. If the pitch is successful and the movie is given the "green light", then financial backing is offered, typically from a major film studio, film council or independent investors. A deal is negotiated and contracts are signed. A pitch is a concise verbal (and sometimes visual) presentation of an idea for a film, generally made by a screenwriter or director to a producer or studio executive in the hope of attracting development finance to pay for a screenplay to be written. ... A fishing light attractor is an underwater light that can be used to attract fish of many species, including baitfish, and larger fish. ... A film studio is a controlled environment for the making of a film. ... The UK Film Council (UKFC) was set up in 2000 by the Labour Government as an agency to develop and promote the film industry in the UK. It is constituted as a private company limited by guarantee governed by a board of 15 directors and is funded through sources including...

Pre-production

In pre-production, the movie is designed and planned. The production company is created and a production office established. The production is storyboarded and visualized with the help of illustrators and concept artists. A production budget will also be drawn up to cost the film. Production company refers to a company responsible for the development and physical production of performing arts, film, radio or a television program. ... A film Production Office is the administrative office responsible for managing a film production. ... Storyboards are graphic organizers such as a series of illustrations or images displayed in sequence for the purpose of previsualizing a motion graphic or interactive media sequence, including website interactivity. ... An illustrator is a graphic artist who specializes in enhancing written text by providing a visual representation that corresponds to the content of the associated text. ... A concept artist is an illustrator, animator or graphic artist who specialises in creating original visual ideas, typically for movies, video games and fashion. ... A film production budget determines how much money will be spend on the entire film project. ...

The producer will hire a crew. The nature of the film, and the budget, determine the size and type of crew used during filmmaking. Many Hollywood blockbusters employ a cast and crew of thousands while a low-budget, independent film may be made by a skeleton crew of eight or nine. Typical crew positions include Blockbuster, as applied to film or theater, denotes a very popular and/or successful production. ... An independent film, or indie film, is usually a low-budget film that is produced by a small movie studio. ...

• The director is primarily responsible for the acting in the movie and managing the creative elements.
• The assistant director (AD) manages the shooting schedule and logistics of the production, among other tasks.
• The casting director finds actors for the parts in the script. This normally requires an audition by the actor. Lead actors are carefully chosen and are often based on the actor's reputation or "star power."
• The location manager finds and manages the film locations. Most pictures are shot in the predictable environment of a studio sound stage but occasionally outdoor sequences will call for filming on location.
• The production manager manages the production budget and production schedule. He or she also reports on behalf of the production office to the studio executives or financiers of the film.
• The director of photography (DP or DOP) or cinematographer creates the photography of the film. He or she cooperates with the director, director of audiography (DOA) and AD.
• The art director manages the art department, which makes production sets, costumes and provides makeup & hair styling services.
• The production designer creates the look and feel of the production sets and props, working with the art director to create these elements.
• The storyboard artist creates visual images to help the director and production designer communicate their ideas to the production team.
• The production sound mixer manages the audio experience during the production stage of a film. He or she cooperates with the director, DOP, and AD.
• The sound designer creates new sounds and enhances the aural feel of the film with the help of foley artists.
• The composer creates new music for the film.
• The choreographer creates and coordinates the movement and dance - typically for musicals. Some films also credit a fight choreographer.

Director Herbert Brenon with actress Alla Nazimova on the set of War Brides, 1916 A director is a person who directs the making of a film. ... An assistant director (AD) is a person who helps the film director in the making of a movie. ... A shooting schedule is a project plan of each days shooting for a film production. ... A Casting director is a person who is in charge of the casting of a film or other work requiring actors. ... Film shooting on Location in Downtown Los Angeles The Location Department is an often forgotten yet integral department in the creation of a motion picture. ... Soundstage redirects here. ... Theatrical production management is a sub-division of stagecraft. ... A film production budget determines how much money will be spend on the entire film project. ... The production schedule is a project plan of how the production budget will be spent over a given timescale, for every phase of filmmaking. ... The studio executive is an employee of a film studio. ... Cameraman redirects here. ... The Director of Audiography (DOA) or Sound Director (SD) is the designer and manager responsible for the audio experience in a film production. ... The term art director, is an overall title for a variety of similar job functions in advertising, publishing, film and television, the Internet, and video games. ... A set is a place that is set up with an artificial nature to create the illusion of a real or imagined place. ... Production designer is a term used in the movie and television industries to refer to the person responsible for the overall look of a filmed event such as films, TV programs, music videos or adverts. ... Storyboard artist is a profession specialize in creating storyboards for advertising agencies and film productions. ... The production sound mixer is the member of a film crew responsible for recording all sound on set during the photography of a motion picture. ... This is an article about the film crew member known as a sound designer. ... The Foley artist on a film crew is the person who creates many of the natural, everyday sound effects in a film, which are recorded during a session with a recording engineer. ... A composer is a person who writes music. ... Choreography (also known as dance composition) is the art of making structures in which movement occurs, the term composition may also refer to the navigation or connection of these movement structures. ... Stage Combat is a specialized method of physical theatre designed to create the illusion of physical combat for theatrical productions (or any form of dramatic production, including film and television). ...

Production

Sesame Workshop crews film an improvised segment of Sesame Street, a children's series, on location in Washington Square Park in New York City.

In production the movie is created and shot. More crew will be recruited at this stage, such as the property master, script supervisor, assistant directors, stills photographer, picture editor, and sound editors. These are just the most common roles in filmmaking; the production office will be free to create any unique blend of roles to suit a particular film. Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 799 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (1572 × 1180 pixel, file size: 963 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) File historyClick on a date/time to view the file as it appeared at that time. ... Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 799 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (1572 × 1180 pixel, file size: 963 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) File historyClick on a date/time to view the file as it appeared at that time. ... Sesame Workshop, formerly known as the Childrens Television Workshop (or CTW), is a non-profit organization behind the production of several educational childrens programs that have run on public broadcasting around the world (including PBS in the United States). ... Sesame Street is an American educational childrens television series for preschoolers and is a pioneer of the contemporary educational television standard, combining both education and entertainment. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with Washington Square North. ... New York, New York and NYC redirect here. ... This article is being considered for deletion in accordance with Wikipedias deletion policy. ... The script supervisor is a position found on most major motion picture sets and is the individual who is primarily responsible for maintaining comprehensive and detailed notes of everything that has been filmed (or videotaped) during the shooting process. ... An assistant director (AD) is a person who helps the film director in the making of a movie. ... A photographer at the Calgary Folk Music Festival Paparazzi at the Tribeca Film Festival A photographer is a person who takes a photograph using a camera. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into Film editing. ... A sound editor is a creative professional responsible for selecting and assembling sound recordings in preparation for the final sound mixing or mastering of a television program or motion picture. ... A film Production Office is the administrative office responsible for managing a film production. ...

A typical day's shooting begins with an assistant director following the shooting schedule for the day. The film set is constructed and the props made ready. The lighting is rigged and the camera and sound recording equipment are set up. At the same time, the actors are wardrobed in their costumes and attend the hair and make-up departments. An assistant director (AD) is a person who helps the film director in the making of a movie. ... A shooting schedule is a project plan of each days shooting for a film production. ... In drama, the set (or setting) is the location of a storys action. ...

The actors rehearse their scripts and blocking with the director. The picture and sound crews then rehearse with the actors. Finally, the action is shot in as many takes as the director wishes. Look up script in Wiktionary, the free dictionary Script may mean: Script (performing arts), the dialog and instructions for a play. ... Insert non-formatted text hereBlocking is a theatre term which refers to the precise movement and positioning == of == a little fish. ... This article needs cleanup. ...

Each take of a shot follows a slating procedure and is marked on a clapperboard, which helps the editor keep track of the takes in post-production. The clapperboard records the scene, take, director, director of photography, date, and name of the film written on the front, and is displayed for the camera. The clapperboard also serves the necessary function of providing a marker to sync up the film and the sound take. Sound is recorded on a separate apparatus from the film and they must be synched up in post-production. An acrylic glass clapboard with scene details. ...

The director will then decide if the take was acceptable or not. The script supervisor and the sound and camera teams log the take on their respective report sheets. Every report sheet records important technical notes on each take.

When shooting is finished for the scene, the director declares a "wrap." The crew will "strike," or dismantle, the set for that scene. The director approves the next day's shooting schedule and a daily progress report is sent to the production office. This includes the report sheets from continuity, sound, and camera teams. Call sheets are distributed to the cast and crew to tell them when and where to turn up the next shooting day. The daily call sheet is a filmmaking term for a call sheet created by an assistant director for a particular shooting day of a film. ...

For productions using traditional photographic film, the unprocessed negative of the day's takes are sent to the film laboratory for processing overnight. Once processed, they return from the laboratory as dailies or rushes (film positives) and are viewed in the evening by the director, above the line crew, and, sometimes, the cast. For productions using digital technologies, shots are downloaded and organized on a computer for display as dailies. This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Color, positive picture (A) and negative (B), monochrome positive picture (C) and negative (D) In photography, a negative may refer to 3 different things, although they are all related. ... A film laboratory is a commercial service provider and technical facility for the film industry which develops and prints film material for classical film production and distribution which is based on film material (negative and positive, black and white and color, on different film formats: 70/65, 35, 16, 9... This article or section is not written in the formal tone expected of an encyclopedia article. ... In the movie industry, above-the-line expenditures are those that are negotiated or spent before filming begins. ...

When the entire film is in the can, or in the completion of the production phase, the production office normally arranges a wrap party to thank all the cast and crew for their efforts. A wrap party is a party organised for the cast and crew of a film to celebrate the end of principal photography. ...

Post-production

Here the film is assembled by the film editor. The modern use of video in the filmmaking process has resulted in two workflow variants: one using entirely film, and the other using a mixture of film and video. It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into Film editing. ...

In the film workflow, the original camera film (negative) is developed and copied to a one-light workprint (positive) for editing with a mechanical editing machine. An edge code is recorded onto film to locate the position of picture frames. Since the development of non-linear editing systems such as Avid, Quantel or Final Cut Pro, the film workflow is used by very few productions. A one-light workprint is a cinematographic term used to describe a timed workprint made using a single setting of the three lights (red, green and blue) used to make a colour film print. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with Keykode. ... AVID (meaning Advancement Via Individual Determination) is a college-preparatory program designed to aid economically disadvantaged, and academically average first-generation students of both elementary and high schools into college. ... Quantel is a company based in the United Kingdom and founded in 1973 that designs and manufactures digital production equipment for the broadcast television, video production and motion picture industries. ... Final Cut Pro is a professional non-linear editing system developed by Apple Inc. ...

In the video workflow, the original camera negative is developed and telecined to video for editing with computer editing software. A timecode is recorded onto video tape to locate the position of picture frames. Production sound is also synced up to the video picture frames during this process. Telecine (IPA pronunciation: . Phonetic: tel-e-Sin-ee; tel-e-Sin-a as cine is the same root as in cinema; also tele-seen.) is the process of transferring motion picture film into electronic form, or the machine used in this process. ... Timecode is also the title of a 2000 film directed by Mike Figgis which was shot in one continuous take. ...

The first job of the film editor is to build a rough cut taken from sequences (or scenes) based on individual "takes" (shots). The purpose of the rough cut is to select and order the best shots. The next step is to create a fine cut by getting all the shots to flow smoothly in a seamless story. Trimming, the process of shortening scenes by a few minutes, seconds, or even frames, is done during this phase. After the fine cut has been screened and approved by the director and producer, the picture is "locked," meaning no further changes are made. Next, the editor creates a negative cut list (using edge code) or an edit decision list (using timecode) either manually or automatically. These edit lists identify the source and the picture frame of each shot in the fine cut. Rough Cut (1980). ... It has been suggested that video frame be merged into this article or section. ... An Edit Decision List or EDL is a standard way of representing a film or video edit. ...

Once the picture is locked, the film passes out of the hands of the editor to the sound department to build up the sound track. The voice recordings are synchronised and the final sound mix is created. The sound mix combines sound effects, background sounds, ADR, dialogue, walla, and music. Audio mixing is used in sound recording, audio editing and sound systems to balance the relative volume and frequency content of a number of sound sources. ... Sound effects or audio effects are artificially created or enhanced sounds, or sound processes used to emphasize artistic or other content of movies, video games, music, or other media. ... In filmmaking, dubbing or looping is the process of recording or replacing voices for a motion picture. ... This article is about a sound effect. ... A film score is a set of musical compositions written to accompany a film. ...

The sound track and picture are combined together, resulting in a low quality answer print of the movie. There are now two possible workflows to create the high quality release print depending on the recording medium:

1. In the film workflow, the cut list that describes the film-based answer print is used to cut the original colour negative (OCN) and create a colour timed copy called the colour master positive or interpositive print. For all subsequent steps this effectively becomes the master copy. The next step is to create a one-light copy called the colour duplicate negative or internegative. It is from this that many copies of the final theatrical release print are made. Copying from the internegative is much simpler than copying from the interpositive directly because it is a one-light process; it also reduces wear-and-tear on the interpositive print.
2. In the video workflow, the edit decision list that describes the video-based answer print is used to edit the original colour tape (OCT) and create a high quality colour master tape. For all subsequent steps this effectively becomes the master copy. The next step uses a film recorder to read the colour master tape and copy each video frame directly to film to create the final theatrical release print.

Finally the film is previewed, normally by the target audience, and any feedback may result in further shooting or edits to the film. Film timing or grading is the process of altering the colour and density of a film from one shot to another, to achieve a better balance of lighting and colour for the film as a whole. ... The introduction to this article provides insufficient context for those unfamiliar with the subject matter. ... A one-light workprint is a cinematographic term used to describe a timed workprint made using a single setting of the three lights (red, green and blue) used to make a colour film print. ... The introduction to this article provides insufficient context for those unfamiliar with the subject matter. ... Arschloch The simplest film recorders typically work by displaying the image on a grayscale cathode ray tube (CRT) placed in front of a photographic camera. ...

Distribution

This is the final stage, where the movie is released to cinemas or, occasionally, to DVD, VCD or VHS (though VHS tapes are less common now that more people own DVD players). The movie is duplicated as required for theatrical distribution. Press kits, posters, and other advertising materials are published and the movie is advertised. DVD (also known as Digital Versatile Disc or Digital Video Disc) is a popular optical disc storage media format. ... VCD can stand for: Video CD Voice command device Value Change Dump (IEEE 1364 Verilog) Value-Centered Design This page concerning a three-letter acronym or abbreviation is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ... Bottom view of VHS cassette with magnetic tape exposed Top view of VHS cassette with front casing removed The Video Home System, better known by its abbreviation VHS, is a recording and playing standard. ...

The movie will usually be launched with a launch party, press releases, interviews with the press, showings of the film at a press preview, and/or at film festivals. It is also common to create a website to accompany the movie. The movie will play at selected cinemas and the DVD is typically released a few months later. The distribution rights for the film and DVD are also usually sold for worldwide distribution. Any profits are divided between the distributor and the production company. A film festival is the presentation or showcasing of films in one or more movie theaters or screening venues. ... A website (alternatively, Web site or web site) is a collection of Web pages, images, videos or other digital assets that is hosted on one or several Web server(s), usually accessible via the Internet, cell phone or a LAN. A Web page is a document, typically written in HTML... DVD (also known as Digital Versatile Disc or Digital Video Disc) is a popular optical disc storage media format. ...

Independent Filmmaking

Main article: Independent film

Filmmaking also takes place outside of the studio system and is commonly called independent filmmaking. Since the introduction of DV technology, the means of production have become more democratized. Filmmakers can conceivably shoot and edit a movie, create and edit the sound and music, and mix the final cut on a home computer. However, while the means of production may be democratized, financing, distribution, and marketing remain difficult to accomplish outside the traditional system. Most independent filmmakers rely on film festivals to get their films noticed and sold for distribution. However, the Internet has allowed for relatively inexpensive distribution of independent films; many filmmakers post their films online for critique and recognition. Although there is little profitability in this, a filmmaker can still gain exposure via the web. An independent film, or indie film, is usually a low-budget film that is produced by a small movie studio. ... The studio system was a means of film production and distribution dominant in Hollywood from the early 1920s through the early 1950s. ... An independent film (or indie film) is a film initially produced without financing or distribution from a major movie studio. ... A MiniDV Camcorder For other uses, see DV (disambiguation). ... A film festival is the presentation or showcasing of films in one or more movie theaters or screening venues. ... Film may refer to: photographic film a motion picture in academics, the study of motion pictures as an art form a thin skin or membrane, or any covering or coating, whether transparent or opaque a thin layer of liquid, either on a solid or liquid surface or free-standing Film...

References

This article does not cite any references or sources. (June 2007) Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unverifiable material may be challenged and removed.

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See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to:

Filmmaking

• Film
• Independent films
• List of movie-related topics
• Post-production
• Pre-production
• Cinematography
• Film editing
• Film producer
• Screenplay
• Director of audiography

Image File history File links Commons-logo. ... This article is about motion pictures. ... An independent film (or indie film) is a film produced without the support of a major movie studio or a big budget. ... This is a list of movie-related topics. ... Post production is the general term for the last stage of film production in which photographed scenes (also called footage) are put together into a complete film. ... Pre-production is the process of preparing all the elements involved in a film, play, or other performance. ... ‹ The template below is being considered for deletion. ... Film editing is the connecting of one or more shots to form a sequence, and the subsequent connecting of sequences to form an entire movie. ... Sample from a screenplay, showing dialogue and action descriptions. ... The Director of Audiography (DOA) or Sound Director (SD) is the designer and manager responsible for the audio experience in a film production. ...

Wikibooks

Wikibooks has more on the topic of

Filmmaking

• Movie Making Manual
• Movie Making Directory

Image File history File links Wikibooks-logo-en. ... Wikibooks logo Wikibooks, previously called Wikimedia Free Textbook Project and Wikimedia-Textbooks, is a wiki for the creation of books. ...

Wikiversity

At Wikiversity, you can learn about:

Filmmaking

• Wikiversity Courses in Filmmaking

Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... Wikiversity logo Wikiversity is a Wikimedia Foundation beta project[1], devoted to learning materials and activities, located at www. ...

External links

• Filmmaking at the Open Directory Project