Stages of a Film

This is for section B part of the Exam.

There are 4 stages in the making of a film.

1. Production

The initial stage, and is the stage where the film is made.
It involves the writer, director, actors, producer and all the film departments. (Like make-up, SFX, sound, camera, and stunts for example.)
If a film goes into production doesn't necessarily mean it'll go to the next stage.
Production is at the mercy of distribution.

2. Distribution

Describes everything that happens between production and the showing of the film.
Literally how the film gets from the production company to the audience.
Also they produce a physical film reel in order to show the film.  A few cinemas are digital, so they only need a DVD with the film on it, but most cinemas in this country are still analogue.
It entails booking into several cinemas in order to secure a run.
Organising the marketing campaign.
Transportation of the film reel to and between cinemas.
Obtaining the BBFC certifcate. (The age rating.)

Major Distributors

United International
Warner Bros.
Buena Vista (Known for distributing the older disney films.)
20th Century Fox
Sony

3. Exhibition

Showing the film to the audience.
This can be through:

• Cinema
• Film Festivals
• DVD/Blu-ray/VHS
• TV
• Netflix
• Piracy
• iTunes

4. Exchange

The unintended use of a text by other people who use the film (or parts of it.) to form new texts. For example replacing the audio of the characters with their own voice.
This happens after Exhibition and nearly always involves digital technology.