Film Production Management / Part 1

Question 1

What are all the production stages in filmmaking?

Answer 1

1) Development
2) Financing
3) Pre-Production
4) Production
5) Post-Production
6) Marketing, Sales & Distribution

Question 2

What is the development stage?

Answer 2

• It is the first step in film production
• Fleshing out the story idea
• Writing a draft of the script
• Figuring out financial logistics of the project
• Producers can start bringing people together (film director, cinematographer, screenwriter)
• Producer has final say on main cast members (to secure financing)

Question 3

What is the financing stage?

Answer 3

• It’s about securing the needed resources to put the production into place
• Most films are financed through a combination of investors, tax credits, grants …
• The funding must be secured at the beginning of the development (by producer & sales agent)
• Funding can be private or public
• Financing TV is different from financing film
• Film financing happens upfront
• TV is a known deficit finance structure from the beginning

Question 4

What is the Pre-Produciton stage?

Answer 4

• Establish a Production Company
• Set up an office
• Planning the film shoot
• Finalising the shooting script
• Finding locations
• figuring out production budget
• Main Crew gets hired

Question 5

What is the production stage?

Answer 5

• The actual shooting happens during the production
• Some producers can’t supervise all aspects during production, so they appoint an executive producer, line producer or unit production manager to represent their interests and vision

Question 6

What is the role of a producer?

Answer 6

• a person that initiates, coordinates, supervises and manages the creation and production of movies, television shows, web series, and commercial videos, amongst other productions
• They are involved throughout all phases of production from inception to completion, including coordination, supervision, and control of finances, talent, crafts.

Question 7

What is the difference between a producer and an executive producer?

Answer 7

• the producer will usually be more hands-on in order to get things done.

Question 8

What is a Co-Producer?

Answer 8

• someone who produces a project with another producer.
• considered an above-the-line producer.
• Co-producers usually work right beneath the executive producer and often assists with finances, casting, and other high-level duties.

Question 9

What is a Line Producer?

Answer 9

• A Line Producer oversees all logistics for a production
• They manage all of the operations in the pre-production stage, production, and post- production stage.
• They are responsible for generating and continuously reviewing the budget “line-by-line.”
• He or she takes responsibility over the financial aspects
• They also act as a liaison between the crew and the higher level producers.

Question 10

What are different types of Executive Producers?

Answer 10

• Someone who has raised a significant portion of a film’s finance, or who has secured the rights to the project.
• Someone who takes the lead role in a number of areas, such as development, financing or production. They might also only oversee the work of the producer on behalf of the studio, financiers or the distributers. Typically, they are not involved in the technical aspects of the filmmaking process.
• Someone who is responsible for the overall quality control of several productions within the network. (successful financing and marketing)
• A production company that provides the physical basis for works in the realms of the performing arts, new media art, film, television, radio, and video. Handling budgeting, scheduling, scripting, the supply with talent and resources, organisation of staff, production, post-production, distribution and marketing.

Question 11

What does budgeting the Creative Team include?

Answer 11

• Story Rights
• Screenplay
• Director
• Producers
• Casting Director & Cast

Question 12

What does budgeting the actual production include?

Answer 12

• Production costs (are wages, production design, live set, studio costs, costumes, catering …)
• Visual Effects (computer generated imagery)
• Music (original and existing)

Question 13

What is included in ATL, what is included in BTL?

Answer 13

ATL: Creative Costs

BTL: Actual Pre- & Production costs, Post-Production costs, Marketing and Distribution Costs, Unions & Taxes

Question 14

What are examples of financial providers?

Answer 14

Private Investors: Studios, Entertainment Production Companies, Private Equity & Hedge Funds, Debt Financing, Product Placement

Public Money: Tax Incentives, Film Commissions & In-Kind Services