Finance 

Public Sources 

A number of governments run programs to subsidise the cost of producing films. For instance, until it was abolished in March 2011, in the United Kingdom the UK Film Council provided National Lottery funding to producers, as long as certain conditions were met. Many of the Council's functions have now been taken over by the British Film Institute. States such as Georgia, Ohio, Louisiana, New York, Connecticut, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Utah, and New Mexico, will provide a subsidy or tax credit provided all or part of a film is filmed in that state.Governments are willing to provide these subsidies as they hope it will attract creative individuals to their territory and stimulate employment. Also, a film shot in a particular location can have the benefit of advertising that location to an international audience. Government subsidies are often pure grants, where the government expects no financial return, although one notable exception is Canadian federal government film agency Telefilm Canada which provides financing in the form of recoupable equity.

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Private Sources 

Pre-sales is, based on the script and cast, selling the right to distribute a film in different territories before the film is completed.When the deal is made, the distributor will insist the producers deliver on certain elements of content and cast; if a material alteration is made, financing may collapse.In order to gain the “marquee names” essential for drawing in an international audience, distributors and sale agents will often make casting suggestions. Pre-sales contracts with big-name actors or directors will often (at the insistence of the buyer) have an "essential element" clause that (as per the example above) allows the buyer to get out of the contract if the star or director falls out of the picture and a marquee equivalent cannot be procured. The reliance on pre-sales explains the film industry's dependence on movie stars, directors and/or certain film genres (such as Horror). Typically, upon signing a pre-sale contract, the buyer will pay a 20% deposit to the film's collection account (or bank), with the balance (80%) due upon the film's delivery to the foreign sales agent (along with all the necessary deliverable requirements.) Usually a producer pre-sells foreign territories (in whole or part) and/or North American windows/rights (i.e. theatrical, home video/DVD, pay TV, free TV, etc.) so that the producer can use the value of those contracts as collateral for the production loan that a bank (senior lender) is providing to finance the production.

 

Time

The following are just some of the items that would typically be considered filmmaking gear: cameras, lights, sound equipment, microphones, tripods, and any other types of stabilization devices/equipment needed for filming purposes. At the foundation of the schedule is your deadlines – and the need to meet them. Deadlines are there for a reason, and staying focused on your deadline will ensure smooth operations and fluid development. Make your deadline a priority and keep an updated list that you can come back to and check whenever needed. 

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Facilites

Movie studio facility management involves the upkeep, maintenance, and oversight of facilities in the pursuit of supporting production. It can range from upkeep and maintenance of vital building systems, to coordinating people and activities within the building, to creating synergies between the building and the operations within it. In simplest terms, it’s about maximizing the capabilities of facilities to enable the many activities essential to filmmaking.

According to the International Facilities Management Association (IFMA), facilities management encompasses employee support, facility technologies, health and safety, training, environment and sustainability, and facility maintenance. In a film studio, these areas of focus are prevalent throughout all stages of production, from principal shots to VFX and beyond. A focus on facilities management is a focus on production quality. A great movie is only possible when the many contributions to its production can come together flawlessly: lights, camera, action. Undermaintained or mismanaged facilities will hinder production and take a quality toll on the movie. [source: https://spaceiq.com/blog/film-studio-facilities-management/]

 

Locations

A filming location is a place where some or all of a film or television series is produced, in addition to or instead of using sets constructed on a movie studio backlot or soundstage. In filmmaking, a location is any place where a film crew will be filming actors and recording their dialog. [source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Filming_location]

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Personel

Executive Producer
Often there are more than one Executive Producers on a film all with varying responsibilities. They are not involved with the technical aspects of production and usually take a creative for financial role ensuring the project goes to production. An Executive Producer will oversee the packaging of the film from securing rights and finances to seeing it through to distribution.

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Producer
The producer is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the films production. Usually a producer is the first person to become involved with a project. They will take a script or idea and bring it to life seeing it through from the very beginning to the very end. In the Development stage, a Producer will come up with an idea or select a screenplay and secure the rights. They will supervise the development process, choose a screenwriter or script editing team while obtaining finances for the film.

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Production Coordinator
The Production Coordinator reports to the Line Producer and the Production Manager. They set up the production office and resume control of it when the Production Manager is on set. They co-ordinate all the logistics of a film from transport and new scripts to production paperwork and insurance.

 

Location Manager
The Location Manager’s’ main job is to find the perfect locations for a film shoot and acquire the rights to film there. They have to take into account the locations accessibility, the shooting schedule and budget of the film. In pre-production the Location Manager has to work out the logistics of filming at the chosen location including vehicle access, parking, power sources and catering. During the shoot they ensure that everyone knows how to get to the location and it is clearly signposted. They oversee the health and safety of everyone on location and the maintenance of the location. Location Managers are usually the first to arrive on set and the last to leave.

 

 

Line Producer
The Line Producer is in charge off the business aspect of a film production. They assess what the below-the-line costs are. The Line Producer will break down the script and come up with an overall timetable for the whole film shoot from pre-production to production through to post-production. They work out how long it will take to shoot each scene and then estimate how much each day of shooting should cost. They will develop a provisional budget to show the total amount of funding needed. The Line Producer then oversees all pre-production elements and set up the production office. During production, the Line Producer will hand over the day-to-day business to the Production Manager but are responsible for overseeing everything. At the end of the shoot, they oversee the ‘wrap’ of the production undertaken by the Production Manager.

Production Manager
Production Managers are in charge of costs involving the crew and general running of the production. These are part of the ‘below-the-line’ budget. In pre-production they work with the Producer, Line Producer and First AD to create a provisional schedule. They help decide on a draft budget and then assist the Producer in hiring crew organising pay. During production, the Production Managers make sure that bills are paid, nothing goes over budget and oversee that everything on set is running smoothly. At the end of the shoot the Production Manager then ensures that all invoices are paid, locations signed off and any rental agreements discontinued.

 

Production Accountant
Production accountants manage the money, make sure the production comes in on budget and  ensures that everyone gets paid.  They are usually assisted by assistant accountants, who are responsible for accounts receivable, accounts payable and payroll.

 

Location Scout
Location Scouts will undertake most of the research, footwork and will document the different possible locations. [source; https://liftoff.network/roles-production-department/]

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Codes of Practice & Legislation

This code is directed at all filming with the exception of ad hoc filming e.g. TV news reporting The Code is not intended to be unduly restrictive, but aims at setting out good practice, reflecting the legitimate interests and concerns of those who may be affected by filming activities Whenever this document refers to film, the term includes all other visual media such as television, commercials, virals, corporate & music videos, cable, satellite etc. In certain circumstances the Council, police, other emergency services or location owners may impose additional stipulations on film-makers. Permissions and information For filming activity to take place, permissions need to be granted by all the relevant agencies for example the Local Authority, Police and land/property owner. Who will be involved will of course depend on the location and other relevant circumstances. The production company also needs to ensure that all those affected by filming have been consulted and informed of arrangements (e.g. neighbouring properties). We would recommend that at least one weeks notice is given to all concerned.​ [source; https://www.southglos.gov.uk/documents/Codes-of-Practice.pdf​]

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