Moving Images, Understanding Media

Chapter 8 The Production Process 291

would see similar tasks completed by perhaps a dozen key people or even

less on a small independent production.

It is critical to note that professional practices can vary widely in diff erent

countries. Diff erences in legal systems, accounting practices, and working

traditions can greatly infl uence how people produce motion pictures. In

addition, funding can come from contrasting sources, including government

grants, public television systems, and international partnerships. Because

these diff erences can become quite complicated, the production practices

and occupations you will be studying are specifi cally from the American

example, which presents a highly developed, competitive system.

To Produce a Motion Picture

Th e four broad stages of creating a motion picture have been defi ned as

development, pre-production, production (or principal photography), and

post-production. In the last chapter, you dealt with one of the main aspects of

development and pre-production: writing. Th e genesis of concept, characters,

and setting, then the writing of a screenplay or other story blueprints constitute

the essential building blocks upon which the work in pre-production is

assembled.

When a motion picture is simply an idea or an inspiration or a product

pitch, who is involved with its creation? Th ere are many possibilities. It may

be a screenwriter who is trying to get a producer interested in the project.

Perhaps it is a commercial writer who is preparing a proposal for a client.

Or it may be a production team delivering a concept to a television studio.

Whatever the situation, the person or group of people who initiate the

furnishing of materials and a budget and who provide the organization

and logistical support for the motion picture to be made are considered the

producers of that project.

• From your experiences making motion pictures,
  what have you found to be the most important
  tasks to complete during pre-production?


• What have been the most important factors for
  you during production?


• What are the primary challenges during post-
  production?
  
  
  • What factors have contributed to decision-
    making during the filmmaking process?
  
  
  • To you, what are the most enjoyable aspects
    of production? Are there parts that have been
    difficult or less interesting to you? Why?
  
  
  
  

Framing the Discussion

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