WHAT IS THE DEVELOPMENT PROCESS FOR FEATURE FILM? (In the Entertainment industry.)

WHAT IS THE DEVELOPMENT PROCESS FOR FEATURE FILM? (In the Entertainment industry.)

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WHAT IS THE DEVELOPMENT PROCESS FOR FEATURE FILM?

Filmmaking (or, in an academic context, film production) is the process of making a film, generally in the sense of films intended for extensive theatrical exhibition. Filmmaking involves a number of discrete stages including an initial story, idea, or commission, through screenwriting, casting, shooting, sound recording and reproduction, editing, and screening the finished product before an audience that may result in a film release and exhibition. Filmmaking takes place in many places around the world in a range of economic, social, and political contexts, and using a variety of technologies and cinematic techniques. Typically, it involves a large number of people, and can take from a few months to several years to complete.

The research and development stage can take anywhere from four months to two years; development is the primary focus of any production company. The systematic hoops and hurdles that need to be navigated to enable the first day of principal photography are widespread. It’s not uncommon to hear of films in development for years (this is what is meant by development hell, John Carter holding the record for 79 years), finding a resurgence as another director is attached to the project, or interest is shown from A-list talent. 

Producers are looking for stories that are original and compelling, but also marketable and attractive to talent and financiers. Some producers have a relationship with a publisher who will alert them to any new work that may be of interest, they talk to colleagues and pay close attention to the industry and film markets. Keeping up-to-date with the slates of other companies is critical for producers, being in competition for investment in a similar style/type of film is not desirable.

Once a concept, script, article or treatment has been earmarked for further consideration, the production company establish who holds the rights and ascertain who has been involved with the story to date. Anyone who has contributed or modified the script or treatment will need to be approached, producers need to be sure they have all permissions needed to proceed. This is called the Chain of Title Report and can involve the company's Legal Department who will make sure all documentation is put in place. Many problems can arise from seeking out permissions at a later stage; some may refuse to grant permission which can be disastrous/expensive if the project has been green-lit.

When entering development (or pre-pre-production), a budget is conceived which will factor in; script writing services, legal fees, travel, publicity and marketing, location scouting, entertainments, general overheads, schedule and budget creation if it needs to be outsourced. Development can be extremely costly, so that the production company will have two options; meet the cost of development themselves as external funding can compromise a producer at a later date, or seek external funding.  

Once development funding is in place, a screenwriter is hired to work with the producer developing the story. Producers may decide to bring other writers on board at a later date, initially though the writer is brought in for two drafts and what is known as the ‘polish’, meaning a working draft to include in the pitch. How many drafts produced is entirely dependent on the production. It's entirely possible that those two draft and polish will be enough, if other changes are requested further on down the line, it’s likely that another screenwriter can be employed at any stage of production. The film of Spooks (2014) ran to 25 drafts before they entered production, which goes to show how the process can vary. Once a working draft of the script is agreed upon, producers begin looking for the main body of investment and finance. 

Putting together the pitch for investors can be one of the most challenging aspects of the producer's role, a film financing company can be brought into the mix if needed, and the services of a sales company who will license the film to foreign distributors which generate pre-sales revenue. A pitch package would consist of:

• A treatment of the script, which can be anywhere from a page to a more detailed ten-page document…
• A copy of the rights to the story, all options and acquisitions agreements…
• An investment proposal, clearly laying out the terms and conditions of the investment…
• Comparable box office returns on films of a similar genre or tone…
• Market research on current trends, with emphasis on work that has just gone into production…
• Talent attached to the project. The director and cast are the primary selling points, as is the screenwriter if they're established names. A letter of interest from all parties is a good indicator to investors that securing the talent is possible. Any crew agreements that are set…
• A copy of the budget. Strategies for funding and distribution with any evidence of commitments or interest…
• Revenue projections…
• Any examples of press coverage the company have managed to generate, which would include any marketing materials they have commissioned such as posters…

While seeking funding, a co-production can be considered on many independent films. Many Indies are made in conjunction with other production companies. Far from meaning joint control of a project the division of labor is often applied, one company will work on securing the finance for the project while the other acquires the talent and develops the script. A co-production has other added benefits; production can take extra tax incentives. Finance is a delicate business, investing in a feature film is seen as a high-risk activity so producers and production companies may decide to seek investment for multiple films rather than a single project. The theory behind this is it spreads out the risk. Theoretically, spreading the investment over multiple projects should see one make money. This is also a way to gain funding for a film that previously held no interest for investors or distributors.

Projects get knocked back and shelved at varying stages of their existence only to be brought back a few years later. A project’s lifespan is highly dependent on the producer or production company who want to push it forward. Sadly many scripts never make it into the development stage, many films in development never make it into production, and films that have been shot and edited fail to find a distribution deal. The business of film is precarious, to say the least. 

Sources, References & Credits: Google, Wikipedia, Wikihow, WikiBooks, Pinterest, IMDB, Linked In, Indie Wire, Film Making Stuff, Hiive, Film Daily, New York Film Academy, The Balance, Careers Hub, The Numbers, Film Maker, TV Guide Magazine, Blurb, Media Match, Quora, Creative Skill Set, Chron, Investopedia, Variety, No Film School, How Stuff Works, WGA, BBC, Daily Variety, The Film Agency, Best Sample Resume, How Stuff Works, Bright Hub, Career Trend, Producer's Code of Credits, Truity, Production Hub, Producers Guild of America, Film Connection, Variety, Wolf Crow, Get In Media, Production Beast, Sony Pictures, Warner Bros, UCAS, Frankenbite, Realty 101, Liberty Me, Careers Hub, Sokanu, Raindance, Film Connection, My Job Search, Prospects, David Mullich, Video University,

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