Question 1

What is the pre-production process?

Anna Keizer · Accepted Answer

Pre-production is the part of the filmmaking process that occurs prior to principal photography but after a movie has been “greenlit” or provided financial backing.
It’s during pre-production that all the many aspects of making a film&#8211;from choosing locations to casting Actors to scheduling the shoot&#8211;are decided upon, coordinated, and solidified.

Question 2

Why is pre-production important to the filmmaking process?

Anna Keizer · Accepted Answer

Even if a studio or production company hopes to keep the pre-production process as succinct as possible, it’s widely acknowledged that pre-production, in general, is a must before the camera starts rolling.
Though sometimes expensive and time-consuming, each stage of the filmmaking process from development to distribution plays an instrumental role in making sure that a quality film is made… And pre-production is no exception!

Question 3

How long is pre-production?

Anna Keizer · Accepted Answer

When a film is greenlit, it’s in the best interest of the studio or production company behind it to streamline the pre-production process as much as possible, as every day with crew working on the film means money being spent on it.
For a larger budget movie with multiple locations and complicated setups, it might mean several months of pre-production. For a smaller project, several weeks to a month might be all that the Director and Producers on a shoot require to get into place the necessary pieces ahead of principal photography.

Question 4

Who works in pre-production?

Anna Keizer · Accepted Answer

Pre-production involves the efforts of multiple individuals, some who will only be part of this stage and some who will continue on with the project as it moves into principal photography.
As mentioned, the Director of the film and any Producers on it will likely be the most prominent individuals who are part of the pre-production process. They will also stay attached to the project all the way through post-production, if not beyond.
It’s these individuals who will bring on others such as the Cinematographer, Production Designer, Costume Designer, and 1st AD who will also start during pre-production and continue on into production. Production Managers and Production Coordinators will likewise be hired for a similar span of time.
But some entertainment professionals work primarily during pre-production.
Among these individuals are the Storyboard Artist, Location Scout, and Casting Director. Their expertise lies in those areas that must be addressed prior to production, such as how the film will look from scene to scene, where those scenes will be shot, and who will be in those respective scenes.

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Pre-production in Filmmaking: What Happens Before the Camera Rolls?