After a project has completed the development phase, it’s not quite time to start filming. Although production is getting closer, there first needs to be a pre-production phase. Even with the cameras not rolling, pre-production can be just as intense as the filming itself.

During the pre-production period, we need to know finalize locations and cast, determine and set the budget, and finalize any changes that might need to be made. Crew members will also have to be lined up, sets and costumes created, and work with local cities for cooperation to film in different parts of town if applicable.

The more prepared a project is, the better that project can end up. There should also be backup plans in the case that things change, such as a location having an emergency that prevents the project from filming there. Once the pre-production phase is complete, we move on to the filming phase of production.

Finally, the project is ready to be shot. Production is often the quickest, and sometimes shortest stage of filmmaking. How long it takes to film depends on factors like the number of locations, the duration of the film or video project, and if any key members will off set throughout any part of the filming.

As demanding as development and pre-production can be, production can be even more challenging and even if a production goes smoothly, it can still be stressful. A solid production relies on strong communication. Directors must be clear about their visions. Filmmaking is a collaborative effort, and nowhere is the collaboration more critical than during the production phase. After the first scene is filmed during production, post-production begins.

Post-production is when the footage is edited, visual effects are added, music is composed, and titles are finalized. Editing is one of the most crucial parts of a film or video project, but it can often times be easily overlooked. The pace of the film project is determined in the edit. If a project drags or the plot develops too quickly, the blame can often be placed on bad editing.

Despite its name, post-production occurs in conjunction with filming depending on the project’s budget. Editors, effects artists, sound designers, and composers don’t need to be on-call for scenes so they can fulfill their roles during production. It is ideal to budget for this because they can help to point out issues with the filming that prevent them from doing the best job possible.

Post-production can help reveal the project’s efforts and sacrifices finally paying off. It is where raw footage is refined and begins to resemble the final product. The process may not sound easy, but done right the end result is definitely worth the effort.