Scriptwriting and Funding

Funding

For a film to go into production it needs investors to provide the necessary funding. Box office in success is never certain and so investors try to reduce the risk of losing their money by becoming involved in important decisions.

Key questions they will ask are:

• Is the film's storyline similar to other films that have made money recently?
• Does it offer easy selling points?
• Are there obvious marketing spin offs to give added publicity?
• Is the star popular?
• Has the director had previous successes?

If you answer no to any questions then changes will be made to the "package" to make sure all answers are a yes. Otherwise, investors will take their money elsewhere.

Before a director can start filming a film has to be "greenlit". (Greenlit- Mean the funding has been made available by the investors.) At this stage a project will have most of the key elements such as:

• Principle cast
• Director
• Cinematographer
• Screenplay

It is the job of the producer to bring all of these elements together.

Production

Production refers to the making of the film. It consists of first finding the idea. Next, writing out your pitch. Pitching that idea to a studio. Then, setting a a budget. Then, casting stars and employing a crew. Followed by filming and editing.

In production there is something called the "big six". They are part of vast conglomerates that are both vertically and horizontally integrated. These six "majors" command approximately 90% of box office takings:

• Paramount Pictures
• Universal
• 20th Century Fox
• Warner Bros. Pictures
• Walt Disney
• Columbia Pictures  

The studios that work outside major studio system are known as "independents" or "indies" are:

• Summit Entertainment
• Film 4 Production
• Icon Productions

Some leading "independent" studios have come to be known as "mini-majors". These include studios such as:

• Dreamworks
• The Weinstein Company
• Lions Gate Entertainment

Distribution

The distribution phase of the film industry is a highly competitive business of launching and sustaining films in the "market place". It is imperative to remember that the film industry is a business and the films are products to be marketed and sold. Every film has its own distribution plan to ensure it reaches the right audiences.