Film production cycles typically consist of five major stages:
- Development: This initial stage involves creating and refining the story idea, writing the screenplay, securing rights if necessary, and obtaining financing. It can include drafting storyboards and production plans.
- Pre-Production: Detailed planning takes place here, including casting actors, hiring crew, scouting locations, finalizing the shooting script, budgeting, scheduling, and preparing sets and costumes.
- Production: The actual filming or shooting of the film occurs. This stage involves directing performances, capturing scenes, managing on-set logistics, and recording audio, visuals, and other raw footage.
- Post-Production: Editing begins with assembling footage, adding visual effects, sound editing, music scoring, color correction, and finalizing the film for distribution.
- Distribution and Publicity: Once the film is complete, distribution strategies are implemented which include release planning and marketing efforts. Publicity windows usually start several months before the release with teasers, trailers, press releases, interviews, and promotional events to build audience anticipation.
Publicity windows vary based on the film’s scale and release strategy but typically begin during post-production or immediately after and continue through the release. This cycle ensures strategic timing of marketing efforts to maximize visibility and audience engagement leading up to and following the film’s launch.
