Film Pre-Production [10 Important Steps To Remember]

Want to make the most out of pre-production? We’ve listed some of the key steps you should pay attention to while planning your film.

By taking this stage seriously, you can avoid problems that, in effect, save you time and money. After all, to make a good film, every step needs to be carefully designed and planned.

So, if you’re about to shoot something new this year, check out the steps below. We also have a resource section where you can download free film production documents.

Break Down The Script

Breaking down your script lets you know what you need to source before filming each scene. The script breakdown is often done by the producer and production team, but you can do it yourself.

To break down your script, list all of the elements in each scene. Once you have a breakdown, you can begin to gather your elements. Elements are everything that you can visually see in the scene. For example:

• Cast
• Location
• Props
• Costume
• Set Design
• Vehicles

Work Out Your Budget

Once you’ve broken down the script, you can start creating an initial budget. Research and make an estimate of how much all of these elements will cost to get together. You will be updating your budget throughout film pre-production.

To start, your first major cost is going will be your screenwriter and story rights. This leads to the next stage.

Source Above-the-line Crew

Above-the-line means any essential crew members that need to be sourced during the early stages of film pre-production. This includes the following:

• Screenwriter
• Producer
• Director
• Production Designer
• Director Of Photography

You might also wish to lock a 1^st assistant director, editor, and composer (essential if shooting a musical). By hiring key crew members in advance, the pre-production wheel can start to spin. Lead actors are also considered above the line, and early casting can help with scheduling and securing a budget.

Create A Storyboard

Storyboards and shot lists can help you visualize your film. The director and director of photography will work together to produce these storyboards alongside a storyboard artist.

Keep in mind not every film needs to be storyboarded. Sometimes, only special effects and complex shots are pre-visualized like this.

Find and Secure Locations

An important step in film pre-production is finding and securing locations. You might wish to hire a location manager to make this process easier. Permission and permits are going to be needed for all locations. That is unless you are shooting guerilla-style with a very small team.

Location recces will also be carried out with all heads of departments attending.

Start Casting Early

As I have said, you might choose to cast lead actors at the start of film pre-production. Ideally, before filming begins, all actors need to be cast, and any supporting artists found.

By now, you should have a general idea of your production filming dates and be able to begin the full hiring process. To help with this, we have a detailed article on how to cast actors for your short film.

Source Below-the-line Crew

Below the line means all other crew members. This includes any other heads of department and their assistants.

• Assistant Directors
• Sound Department
• Makeup Department
• Costume Department
• Camera Department
• Art Department

Every head of a department will be able to help you find assistants to hire (for example, the makeup artist will have their own assistants).

Alternatively, as a producer, you can advertise for crew on online job sites and crew databases.

At this stage, production meetings will be carried out between all departments. It’s important that all departments are in communication with one another.

Make Sure You Get Insurance

Film production insurance is essential even for the lowest of budgets. Consider how expensive equipment can be and that everyone will be bringing their own equipment to set. It makes sense to prepare for the worst; the last thing you want is to have a surprise bill to pay at the end of production.

Make sure to fully secure story rights and location permissions and get all paperwork filled out before filming. Film unions can help you with public liability insurance.

Rent Film Equipment

You might be renting, buying, or hiring crew who own equipment. This includes equipment for the camera department, grip, lighting, and sound.

Other departments, such as the art department, might also need you to hire additional equipment. Be sure to check that all departments have what they need before production.

Schedule Rehearsal Time

Some directors wish to have rehearsal time with the actors. Additionally, costume and makeup might also need time with the actors for screen tests. And If you’re shooting a special effects-heavy film, test shoots are going to be essential.

During this stage, more film pre-production meetings will be carried out. Lastly, before production begins, the shooting schedule is finalized.

Wrapping Up

For the most part, film pre-production is a straightforward process. Follow the steps above and deal with problems as they come.

The pre-production stage should be the longest stage you spend time on whilst making your film. In short, by being overly prepared, you will effectively save both time and money.