The TV or film process seems to be an easy one.  

Someone writes a script, producers bring together a crew, and actors play the character roles.  An editor puts it all together and adds some music and voila.  

Done.  

Then it gets put on the big or small screen.

Three sentences to sum it all up.  Should be easy enough, huh?

Don’t we all wish that were the case.

It takes a lot of work to make something look easy.

I mean, think about it.  Haven’t you ever watched someone performing (a talent or sport) and think “that looks so easy, I could probably do it?”.  

I can’t imagine there is a person alive who hasn’t had that thought at some point.  

But then we try ourselves and find out we couldn’t have been more wrong.

I’ve personally learned that lesson many, many times.  

Whether it be a physical skill like running, or an artistic skill like painting, or a verbal skill like selling a project I’ve worked on for years.

It just takes a lot more work, practice and time than we usually expect.

The TV or film process seems to be an easy one.  

Someone writes a script, producers bring together a crew, and actors play the character roles.  An editor puts it all together and adds some music and voila.  

Done.  

Then it gets put on the big or small screen.

Three sentences to sum it all up.  Should be easy enough, huh?

Don’t we all wish that were the case.

It takes a lot of work to make something look easy.

I mean, think about it.  Haven’t you ever watched someone performing (a talent or sport) and think “that looks so easy, I could probably do it?”.  

I can’t imagine there is a person alive who hasn’t had that thought at some point.  

But then we try ourselves and find out we couldn’t have been more wrong.

I’ve personally learned that lesson many, many times.  

Whether it be a physical skill like running, or an artistic skill like painting, or a verbal skill like selling a project I’ve worked on for years.

It just takes a lot more work, practice and time than we usually expect.

Copyright 2016-2017 Global Media Fusion, Inc.

Copyright 2016-2017 Global Media Fusion, Inc.

the film & tv process

the film & tv process

11)   POST-PRODUCTION : Once the actual shooting is completed, the project goes into Post Production.  

This is where all the footage is examined and pieced together in the most alluring and expressive manner.  

The sound effects are added, as are the music and visual effects.  

The sound is mixed and the picture is color corrected and final formats are created for distribution.  

The Director oversees this entire process and you - the original writer - can see your story finally coming together.

​

12)   DISTRIBUTION : Next up is to have the project distributed.  

This can be to networks for TV projects or to theaters and other outlets for film projects.  

This process has usually been started prior to this point in time but not always.  

There is a United States (or any other country) perspective and then an international, or global, perspective.  

Many times, there are a variety of agents or teams working on these differing outlets.

11)   POST-PRODUCTION : Once the actual shooting is completed, the project goes into Post Production.  

This is where all the footage is examined and pieced together in the most alluring and expressive manner.  

The sound effects are added, as are the music and visual effects.  

The sound is mixed and the picture is color corrected and final formats are created for distribution.  

The Director oversees this entire process and you - the original writer - can see your story finally coming together.

​

12)   DISTRIBUTION : Next up is to have the project distributed.  

This can be to networks for TV projects or to theaters and other outlets for film projects.  

This process has usually been started prior to this point in time but not always.  

There is a United States (or any other country) perspective and then an international, or global, perspective.  

Many times, there are a variety of agents or teams working on these differing outlets.

The same goes with the TV and film production process.  

It isn’t just as simple as finding a producer to gobble up the script and wave a wand to turn it into an award-winning production.

So let’s look at the process and how it all works.  

This is the basic process.  

Naturally, there are many different paths to take, and some of these steps are skipped or embellished.

 

1)   SCRIPT : First a script has to be written (presumably by you).  

Then there are a few choices to be made about next steps.  You can create an online presence and attract an audience or following.  

You can pitch the project to producers at pitching festivals or through cold calls.  

You can also create a sizzle reel of video clips to share with either of those audiences.

The same goes with the TV and film production process.  

It isn’t just as simple as finding a producer to gobble up the script and wave a wand to turn it into an award-winning production.

So let’s look at the process and how it all works.  

This is the basic process.  

Naturally, there are many different paths to take, and some of these steps are skipped or embellished.

 

1)   SCRIPT : First a script has to be written (presumably by you).  

Then there are a few choices to be made about next steps.  You can create an online presence and attract an audience or following.  

You can pitch the project to producers at pitching festivals or through cold calls.  

You can also create a sizzle reel of video clips to share with either of those audiences.

 

2)   PITCH : If you choose to pitch your project to a producer, the second step involves actually creating and executing the pitch itself.  

You’ll need promotional materials (see our other article about the most important document) and meetings and emails.

​

3)   OPTION : Once you have a producer interested, they’ll want to option the script from you.  

You can be paid a very small amount of money or a large amount, depending on the project, the producer and their financial backing.

​

4)   TALENT : If they’ve optioned it from you – and now, in essence, are in control of what happens to it – they’ll need to get talent attachments.  

This can include actors, directors, cinematographers or any other big name that helps them to…

​

5)   FUNDING : Secure funding.  They’ll need to approach investors, institutions or studios to get the amount needed to go into production.  

This will entail the creation of a lot of documentation.  

Ultimately, the producers are beholden to the investors to return their money to them by producing a financially and critically successful project.

 

2)   PITCH : If you choose to pitch your project to a producer, the second step involves actually creating and executing the pitch itself.  

You’ll need promotional materials (see our other article about the most important document) and meetings and emails.

​

3)   OPTION : Once you have a producer interested, they’ll want to option the script from you.  

You can be paid a very small amount of money or a large amount, depending on the project, the producer and their financial backing.

​

4)   TALENT : If they’ve optioned it from you – and now, in essence, are in control of what happens to it – they’ll need to get talent attachments.  

This can include actors, directors, cinematographers or any other big name that helps them to…

​

5)   FUNDING : Secure funding.  They’ll need to approach investors, institutions or studios to get the amount needed to go into production.  

This will entail the creation of a lot of documentation.  

Ultimately, the producers are beholden to the investors to return their money to them by producing a financially and critically successful project.

6)   SIZZLE : If you create the sizzle reel, you may be able to go directly to the investors yourself, but will definitely need the assistance of a lawyer trained in this industry.  

You can also use your sizzle reel in your online presence to strike up a social media following who will pay to watch your project when it’s ready.

​

7)   DEVELOPMENT : Once the funding is in place, the development of the project can continue.  

This will include getting notes and feedback from all of the above players.

​

8)   REWRITES : A big part of the development process is the rewrites of the script.  

This may come from you or it may come from someone else.  

That’s another full topic, but suffice it to say that rewrites go on from day one until the final edit is completed.  

Yes, sometimes writing goes on after production if there is a gap in the story.

​

9)   PRE-PRODUCTION : When the script is in decent condition, the producers will get right into pre-production to finalize locations, studios, the crew, the set design, the wardrobe etc.  

This can take weeks or months depending on the magnitude of the project.

​

10)   PRODUCTION : Then the fun part starts – the actual production.  

The Director is at the helm and drives through the completion of the project.  

The Producers are on hand to ensure things don’t run over budget or over time.  

Again, there are investors and insurers to answer to.

6)   SIZZLE : If you create the sizzle reel, you may be able to go directly to the investors yourself, but will definitely need the assistance of a lawyer trained in this industry.  

You can also use your sizzle reel in your online presence to strike up a social media following who will pay to watch your project when it’s ready.

​

7)   DEVELOPMENT : Once the funding is in place, the development of the project can continue.  

This will include getting notes and feedback from all of the above players.

​

8)   REWRITES : A big part of the development process is the rewrites of the script.  

This may come from you or it may come from someone else.  

That’s another full topic, but suffice it to say that rewrites go on from day one until the final edit is completed.  

Yes, sometimes writing goes on after production if there is a gap in the story.

​

9)   PRE-PRODUCTION : When the script is in decent condition, the producers will get right into pre-production to finalize locations, studios, the crew, the set design, the wardrobe etc.  

This can take weeks or months depending on the magnitude of the project.

​

10)   PRODUCTION : Then the fun part starts – the actual production.  

The Director is at the helm and drives through the completion of the project.  

The Producers are on hand to ensure things don’t run over budget or over time.  

Again, there are investors and insurers to answer to.

The Film &

TV Process

The Film &

TV Process

There are many different paths to take to make your film or TV show a hit

There are many different paths to take to make your film or TV show a hit

Use your sizzle reel in online  social media to build an audience that will pay to watch later

Use your sizzle reel in online  social media to build an audience that will pay to watch later

There's a long chain of people involved in decision-making process of production & Distribution

There's a long chain of people involved in decision-making process of production & Distribution

13)   “PRINTS” : Once the final distribution strategy and contracts have been finalized, prints of the film/show need to be created or fed to the outlets.  

As soon as the ‘prints’ are received, the next step begins, which is the promotion of the show or film.

​

14)   MARKETING : The Marketing Campaign includes a variety of options.  

Promotional clips, trailers, advertising, online campaigns and other marketing programs are put in place. 

Huge money can be put into an association or sponsorship of a project, so the companies investing in brand integration become important clients.  

The producers become beholden to those people as well as the original investors.

​

15)   BOX OFFICE/RATINGS : When the advertising starts and the film is released, or the TV show airs, we now start to look at the box office figures or TV ratings.  

These are coming from the end consumer audience, who is the ultimate “client” of any project. 

​

16)   ANCILLARY : Once a film has come and gone from the theaters, or a TV show has aired for it’s prime showing time, the project will go into ancillary outlets.  

This can include a wide range of places including airlines, pay-for-TV, online channels or other unusual outlets.

​

This is a simple summary of the basic steps for getting a TV show or film to find success.  

There are many clients and bosses along the way.  

It would be great if there were just one person to answer to, or to control it all, but the truth is that there are many people in the process and many people who must be kept happy along the ride.

If it all flows smoothly though, the project can be a great success and everyone is happy.

13)   “PRINTS” : Once the final distribution strategy and contracts have been finalized, prints of the film/show need to be created or fed to the outlets.  

As soon as the ‘prints’ are received, the next step begins, which is the promotion of the show or film.

​

14)   MARKETING : The Marketing Campaign includes a variety of options.  

Promotional clips, trailers, advertising, online campaigns and other marketing programs are put in place. 

Huge money can be put into an association or sponsorship of a project, so the companies investing in brand integration become important clients.  

The producers become beholden to those people as well as the original investors.

​

15)   BOX OFFICE/RATINGS : When the advertising starts and the film is released, or the TV show airs, we now start to look at the box office figures or TV ratings.  

These are coming from the end consumer audience, who is the ultimate “client” of any project. 

​

16)   ANCILLARY : Once a film has come and gone from the theaters, or a TV show has aired for it’s prime showing time, the project will go into ancillary outlets.  

This can include a wide range of places including airlines, pay-for-TV, online channels or other unusual outlets.

​

This is a simple summary of the basic steps for getting a TV show or film to find success.  

There are many clients and bosses along the way.  

It would be great if there were just one person to answer to, or to control it all, but the truth is that there are many people in the process and many people who must be kept happy along the ride.

If it all flows smoothly though, the project can be a great success and everyone is happy.

The main point is that there’s a long chain of people involved in the decision-making process of producing and distributing an entertainment industry project. A lot of steps. A lot of people.

​

You’ll be best served to understand this process and figure out how you can help at every juncture.  

After all, it’s your baby that’s out there and it’s your dream coming to fruition.  

​

Be realistic and your chances improve greatly.  Be a dreamer and unrealistic and producers - or other people along the way - will simply find another project that makes their lives easier.

​

Join us on social media:

www.Facebook.com/MovieHatch

www.Twitter.com/MovieHatch

www.instagram.com/MovieHatch

    

It’s not fair not to share!

Please share this blog with your friends.

 

Want to see some of our other blogs?

Pitching Do's and Don'ts

3 Myths of Getting Your Project Distributed

Confidence for Creative People

Why We Care So Much for TV Characters

The main point is that there’s a long chain of people involved in the decision-making process of producing and distributing an entertainment industry project. A lot of steps. A lot of people.

​

You’ll be best served to understand this process and figure out how you can help at every juncture.  

After all, it’s your baby that’s out there and it’s your dream coming to fruition.  

​

Be realistic and your chances improve greatly.  Be a dreamer and unrealistic and producers - or other people along the way - will simply find another project that makes their lives easier.

​

Join us on social media:

www.Facebook.com/MovieHatch

www.Twitter.com/MovieHatch

www.instagram.com/MovieHatch

    

It’s not fair not to share!

Please share this blog with your friends.

 

Want to see some of our other blogs?

Pitching Do's and Don'ts

3 Myths of Getting Your Project Distributed

Confidence for Creative People

Why We Care So Much for TV Characters

Copyright 2016-2021 MovieHatch

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Copyright 2016-2021 MovieHatch

Terms Of Use   I    Privacy Policy   I   Cookie Policy

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