Have you ever wondered how long it takes to make a movie?
Filmmaking is a collaborative and time-consuming art form. The time it takes to make a film from start to finish varies, as many factors can affect the process. Even setting up a single shot can take 45 minutes to an hour, which means that it can take years to make a film.
In this article, we break down the filmmaking timeline, from development to post-production. Let’s begin by looking at why it takes so long to make a film.
How Long Does It Take To Make A Movie?
On average, a film takes between 2-5 years to complete. However, many factors can affect the timeline. For example, the budget will determine whether they can afford effects, build sets, or hire a full film crew.
In general, studio movies have the longest turnaround, with some as long as 5 years. In contrast, guerilla filmmakers with low budgets and a minimum crew will take the least time. Let’s break down some of these other main factors.
Different Factors That Can Affect The Length
The film producer can usually anticipate how long a movie will take during development. With experience, they can predict the general length of time by completing a script breakdown. Even so, films still go over the schedule for unforeseen reasons, such as weather issues or actors becoming ill.
The following factors are the main reasons that will affect a filmmaking timeline.
Genre
One main factor that affects the filmmaking timeline is the film’s genre. For example, a comedy film will take considerably less time to shoot than an action film whereas a fantasy will take longer because of the sets and VFX work.
Script Length
The script page rule says that a screenplay page equals one minute of screen time. So, a 90 page script is a 90 minute film. As such, scripts that are longer will affect the time it takes to make a film. So, the script length affects how long it takes to make a movie.
Locations
The more locations you need the longer it takes to make a movie. Changing location takes time to move crew, and pack equipment and props. That is why independent filmmakers such as those of the Dogma 95 movement had a limit of locations. In addition, genres such as fantasy might require set building which will take longer.
Cast
Your filmmaking timeline will also depend on your cast. The more actors in your film, the longer it takes to block a scene. The director also needs more coverage, which makes for more camera setups. Furthermore, if working with child actors, local laws limit the amount of time children can work on set, which makes for a longer shoot.
Filmmaking Timeline
The filmmaking timeline will change with every production, but we can make a general breakdown of each of the four stages. Below is a breakdown of a typical Hollywood studio film. However, remember that a low-budget indie film will take considerably less time, and that genre also has a big impact.
Development (2 Years)
The development stage begins with scriptwriting and ends with funding the film. First, the producer finds a screenplay or hires a screenwriter to work on an idea. The director, producer, and studio will revise the script before greenlighting the project.
Next, the producer breaks down the script and estimates the movie budget based on the cast, locations, visual effects, and script length. Then, they present their budget to the studio and begin to find funding. Films rely on a variety of funding methods, from tax incentives to pre-sales. On average it takes 2 years for a studio film to go through development.
Pre-Production (6 months – 1 year)
Once the film has funding, it’s time to prepare for principal photography. The filmmaking timeline will heavily depend on the film’s genre. Some films will need sets and costumes built and require more locations, while others will need less preparation.
Another key aspect of pre-production is hiring crew members and department heads. Then, casting, location scouting, and building sets. The more actors, locations, and sets, the longer the process will take. In addition, films with costumes will need more prep time.
During this stage, the producer creates a production schedule. This schedule estimates how long the film will take to shoot day by day. Once all preparations are complete, the pre-production process ends, and filming begins.
Production (1 – 3 months)
The production stage is when the actual filmmaking takes place. Obviously, this can vary depending on the number of scenes, camera setups, and effects. Also, films with stunts, green screens, and high visual effects will take longer to shoot.
Producers will try to keep the filmmaking stage as short as possible because it’s both expensive and demanding. On average, a filming day will last 12–14 hours, a work ethic that people can struggle to do over the long term. The director calls wrap when filming ends, and the project will move into the post-production stage.
Post-production (6 months – 1 year)
Lastly, post-production is the stage of editing and completing the film. It can take between 6 months and 1 year to complete. The process will extend due to heavy visual effects, CGI, automated dialogue replacement, extensive sound design, and color grading.
Plus, the post-production of animations and films that depend on visual effects can take years to complete. In contrast, an indie film that doesn’t require special effects can complete editing during production, saving time and money.
Wrapping Up
To sum up, the average film can take anywhere between 3 and 4.5 years. There is also a clear correlation between the time it takes to make a film and the movie budget. So, a low budget film will always take less time to complete than a Hollywood studio film.
If you’re making a movie, you can save filming time and budget before writing the screenplay. For example, stick to a 90 page script, use fewer locations, have a small cast, and avoid visual effects. 👍
