Film Production Stages

The following stages are vital to any film production and provide filmmakers with quality insights into production.

Development

The beginning stage of the production process starts with the development. The development of the project refers to the script.

Sometimes the script may already be finished, yet sometimes it needs to be translated from a book or an idea to a script. Development may also start with a director or screenwriter pitching an idea to a producer.

Pre-Production

Pre-production formally begins once a project has been planned and greenlit. With the Pre-production stage, the final preparations for production go into effect. The financing is usually confirmed at this stage, and many of the key elements such as casting, director choice, and cinematographer would also be confirmed.

Production

The production stage consists out of the film being created and shot. In this stage, it is principal to keep planning ahead of the daily shoots needed to take place. One of the main aims in production is to stick to the budget and the schedule.

With production, more crew members will be employed to assist with property master, script supervisor, assistant directors, stills photographer, and more.

Principal Photography

The principal photography stage is the start of producing a film in which the bulk of shooting takes place. This stage is distinct from the stages of pre-production and post-production. The unit production manager plays an important role in principal photography.

They are responsible for daily implantations of the shoots and to manage the daily call sheet, locations, and transportation.

The Film Wrap

The wrap occurs when the production is close to an end. This stage gets used just before post-production. It is traditional to hold a wrap party for the cast and crew involved in the film at this stage. This stage is also the end of the actor’s collaboration on the film but may be called to promote the film when the release date comes close.

Post-Production

This stage is part of the process of filmmaking, video production, audio production, and photography. Post-Production includes all stages occurring after shooting or recording individual segments.

In modern times, post-production has been replaced by video editing software which operates as an NLE system. This stage consists of many different processes grouped under one name. After post-production, the distribution company takes over to the market and distributes the film.