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Production

In production, the video production/film is created and shot. More crew will be recruited at this stage, such as the property master, script supervisor, assistant directors, stills photographer, picture editor, and sound editors. These are just the most common roles in filmmaking; the production office will be free to create any unique blend of roles to suit the various responsibilities possible during the production of a film.

A typical day's shooting begins with the crew arriving on the set/location by their call time. Actors usually have their own separate call times. Since set construction, dressing and lighting can take many hours or even days, they are often set up in advance.
The grip, electric and production design crews are typically a step ahead of the camera and sound departments: for efficiency's sake, while a scene is being filmed, they are already preparing the next one.

While the crew prepare their equipment, the actors are wardrobed in their costumes and attend the hair and make-up departments. The actors rehearse the script and blocking with the director, and the camera and sound crews rehearse with them and make final tweaks. Finally, the action is shot in as many takes as the director wishes. Most American productions follow a specific procedure:

The assistant director calls "picture is up!" to inform everyone that a take is about to be recorded, and then "quiet, everyone!" Once everyone is ready to shoot, the AD calls "roll sound" (if the take involves sound), and the production sound mixer will start their equipment, record a verbal slate of the take's information, and announce "sound speed", or just "speed" when they are ready. The AD follows with "roll camera", answered by "speed!" by the camera operator once the camera is recording. The clapper, who is already in front of the camera with the clapperboard, calls "marker!" and slaps it shut. If the take involves extras or background action, the AD will cue them ("action background!"), and last is the director, telling the actors "action!". The AD may echo "action" louder on large sets.

A take is over when the director calls "cut!", and camera and sound stop recording. The script supervisor will note any continuity issues and the sound and camera teams log technical notes for the take on their respective report sheets. If the director decides additional takes are required, the whole process repeats. Once satisfied, the crew moves on to the next camera angle or "setup," until the whole scene is "covered." When shooting is finished for the scene, the assistant director declares a "wrap" or "moving on," and the crew will "strike," or dismantle, the set for that scene.

At the end of the day, the director approves the next day's shooting schedule and a daily progress report is sent to the production office. This includes the report sheets from continuity, sound, and camera teams. Call sheets are distributed to the cast and crew to tell them when and where to turn up the next shooting day. Later on, the director, producer, other department heads, and, sometimes, the cast, may gather to watch that day or yesterday's footage, called dailies, and review their work.

With workdays often lasting 14 or 18 hours in remote locations, film production tends to create a team spirit. When the entire film is in the can, or in the completion of the production phase, it is customary for the production office to arrange a wrap party, to thank all the cast and crew for their efforts.

Distribution

This is the final stage, where the film is released for viewing. The film is duplicated as required and distributed to cinemas for exhibition (screening). Press kits, posters, and other advertising materials are published and the film is advertised and promoted.

Film distributors usually release a film with a launch party, press releases, interviews with the press, press preview screenings, and film festival screenings. Most films have a website. The film plays at selected cinemas and the DVD typically is released a few months later. The distribution rights for the film and DVD are also usually sold for worldwide distribution. The distributor and the production company share profits.

Marketing

Marketing is concerned with promoting the film. While a strong marketing strategy is essential in attracting significant numbers of people to view it, there is also a great deal of marketing nous in driving the film through its lengthy gestation process.

The majority of work done by a marketing department takes place from post-production and beyond as the film races towards its release. A consideration for the marketing, however, can be applied effectively at almost any point in a film’s creation. Interest in a project can be exploited from its inception and paying attention to marketing early can reap rewards later.

Film-makers also have to market themselves and their film in order to push a film through the many steps towards a theatrical release – the Producer must persuade investors why they should hand over their money for example.

Those working in the marketing department oversee all material and communications targeting the audience. This includes the ‘stills’ (pictures taken, usually during production, of the actors and crew to stimulate interest in the project); poster campaign; new media publicity; print and radio advertising; and involvement with creating the trailers for the film.

Exhibition

Exhibitors are the companies that house the films. These are companies such as Cineworld, art houses such as Cambridge picture house, Odeon and empire. Art houses are usually distributed inside towns and cities in smaller more ‘cultured’ areas. Larger companies such as Cineworld are found on industrial areas and usually grouped with fast food restaurants. They are more commercial and usually charge a lot more for tickets. At the Cambridge picture house u can be expected to pay £5.20 but at a more commercial screening you can pay anything between £6.00 and £6.50. The films shown differ as well, not only are new releases shown in an art house theatre but also foreign language films, or films from amateur film makers. The experience is also greatly different. In a commercial Cineworld there is commercial food and drink on offer. Whereas at the art house, you will find a small food and drinks area. The screening area is smaller and more intimate rather than the cooped up seating arrangements of an Odeon.