The Stages Of Film Making

PRODUCTION
This is the phase most people are familiar with.

Production entails actually shooting the film. The director will oversee cast rehearsals of dialogue, movements, stunts ect,and will continue with as many takes as he needs to ensure he captures exactly what he had in mind for a given scene. There are a ton of things that need to be done to prepare for filming each and every day, such as tweaking the lighting, getting the actors and actresses in their outfits and makeup, touching up sets and putting extras in place. At the end of what is often an extremely long day, the director and others may review the "dailies" -- unedited footage that was captured either that same day or possibly the day before. After several weeks or months, production usually ends with a wrap party for everyone who worked on the project. For big blockbusters, we're talking hundreds of people.

DISTRIBUTION
Now it's time to see if all of the hard work from the previous four stages was worth it... the film either goes direct-to-DVD or hits theaters, usually on the heels of a glamorous premiere, a press junket, a website launch and an advertising campaign. This is where we common folk come in; after thousands, millions, tens of millions or hundreds of millions of dollars have been spent getting a movie to the cineplex, we have the power to determine its overall success.


EXHIBITION.
This is the final stage, where the film is released to cinemas or, occasionally, to DVD, VCD, VHS ,Blu-Ray, or direct download from a provider. The film is duplicated as required for distribution to cinemas. Press kits, posters, and other advertising materials are published and the film is advertised.