What is Film Production? The Industry and Process Explained
When you stay and watch the credits at the end of a movie, you will get some idea of just how many people are involved. The process of film production can be long and laborious, especially when you are making a full, three-hour blockbuster with CGI and VFX in every scene.
Of course, not every video made is such an ambitious project, but film production companies still play a really crucial role in the phases of film production, pre-production, the filming stage, and post-production.
What Does “Production” Mean in Film Terms?
A production can be used to describe the whole filmmaking process.
The film studio involved can also be referred to as a “production company” or ‘production house” and their whole role is to guide a film from a concept through to completion, and sometimes even handle the distribution.
There is a different film production definition, too. A film or video of any description can be referred to as a “production” when talking about the complete product, too. That’s why you might see terms like “A Miramax Production” at the start of the film. It’s effectively stating the company that made the whole thing.
How Are Movies Made?
Well, this varies greatly depending on the exact type of film. Different production companies have their own specialisms and expertise. If you want a commercial made, for instance, you will employ a different company and studio to those who made the latest Marvel movie.
A company portfolio can tell you a lot about the sort of films (movie productions) they have been involved in.
Movies are made in differing ways, with each company and director having their own specific methods, but generally, filing production follows a specific process.
The Stages of Film Production
The three stages are pre-production, filming/production, and post-production.
On their own, these terms don’t mean very much, so we’ve broken down what each of them normally entails.
Pre-Production
Before even thinking about hitting “record” you need to do a lot of planning. This may include coming up with a strategy to take your film to market and create something that fits the concept you have in mind. Scripting, storyboarding, and design production process all form part of the pre-production process.
Before the cameras start rolling, you need to design sets, plan locations, create a script, and work out every aspect of what the film itself will look like, as well as the message you want to get across.
Production and Filming
This is the filming stage of a movie, when the cameras roll. This can also be the process of “going live” in a live production.
The process here alters whether you’re making a corporate film, commercial, or a movie, but there is very little room for error in the production stage.
This is an exciting time, but it relies on everything going right, from locations, to actors getting their lines right, to equipment working reliably. A great production company will have their filming process down to a fine art, ensuring that the filming goes smoothly and that the best footage is shot.
This process can be long and arduous, and scenes may need to be shot many times to ensure there is plenty of quality footage, and that errors are kept to a minimum.
Post-Production
Post-production is anything that comes after the main filming. This can include audio overdubbing, color grading, and editing, such as CGI.
The post-production demands will be different for every single film. Some may need simple editing, others may need a huge amount of post-production to totally change the way the movie looks. For instance, green-screened scenes may need a whole digital background to be built on a computer and added to the movie.
Without this crucial step, films would look rough and uncut. The filmmaking process is completed with post-production, sound, effects, scenes, special sound effects including foley, and finally exporting the file ready to be uploaded, burned to disc, or even distributed to cinemas and picture houses.
Summary: Finding a Film Production Company
Film production is the full process of taking a simple idea or concept for a film, fleshing it out and turning it into a clean cut finished product.
Finding a film production company in Saudi Arabia means checking out the full portfolio of a company, and ensuring they are the right studio to bring your idea to life. Whether you want to make a hard-hitting drama or a commercial for a new product, the best film production companies can create an impactful video.
Ready to start the process of planning and producing your film?