Four Stages of Filmmaking

Here is a simple diagram of how the production of a film or series is arranged. The scheme is very simple, but it is very important to constantly mention it. Below I will describe why.

A very simple diagram of how the production of a film or series works. Why specify this scheme at all? If you're a filmmaker, you already know all about it. Or not? It took me several months to fit the disparate information into a simple diagram. If you google "filmmaking" on YouTube, you will get tons of videos on how to choose a camera, how to set it up, how to edit a video. Rarely do you see something about festivals (how else will your film be seen), rarely do you see something about scripting and storytelling (and this is the foundation and altar of your film!). And perhaps nothing about whole process of filmmaking. Because of not remembering the whole process, people make mistakes, waste time, and misprioritise. Filmmaking is a house where every element is important and necessary, where the script is the foundation and layout of rooms and premises, and marketing is the visibility of this house to buyers. However, if somewhere a brick has fallen off, there will be a draft, so all the steps are necessary and important. The technical knowledge of the camera and the sounds is very well learned and relatively easy to implement. But the more difficult task remains to come up with a new exciting story. It is also very difficult how exactly to convey this story (that is, about directing). But this story (even if it is a genius, like its direction) must be conveyed professionally (second stage), must be well edited, accompanied by music (third stage), but if no one sees it, then it is as if it does not exist, therefore it needs to be shown at festivals (fourth stage).

First stage - Pre-production: Storytelling and Screenwriting; Fundraising and Producing; Finding Actors and Crew; Location Scouting, Permits, Props, Design

Second stage - Production: Location Control; Directing; Sound Recording; Camera and Light.

Third stage - Post-production: Editing; Color grading; VFX and CGI; Music Composing and Sound Editing.

Forth stage - Distribution: Marketing; Film Festivals; Cinemas (Movie Theatres); Platforms.

First step: write the script. And you have to start with the structure of the script, spend enough time on it so that all the relationships work for the film. At this stage, the producer gathers the writer, director and other people, as well as finds the actors and selects locations for filming. Necessary documents and permits are being prepared. In the second stage, you shoot the film, record the sound. In the third stage you edit, the composer writes the music. Do you think that's it? Nothing like this. At the fourth stage, you submit the film to the film festival. Make sure that your film is not available online and has not been shown anywhere before (other than private screenings for actors and participants). If your film was a success, theaters may want to show it or platforms will buy it.

These four categories helped me in other areas to understand earlier how what works where. When I got involved in advocacy and lobbying in 2007-2013 in Russia, I divided all lobbying and advocacy into 4 stages.

Now I'm doing a similar process with film making. Each stage is easily divided into 4 stages, and they, in turn, are even smaller. This way you can easily get to the practical steps. Yes, there can be hundreds and thousands of practical steps. But they will already be categorized for you, each one will be put in its place, "on the shelves", and you will be able to follow them calmly and with due motivation. I think such a scheme should be shown and explained at all seminars and workshops on film making, including highly specialized ones.