Pre-Production Intro

 What is pre-production?  What are the steps that a filmmaker must take to transfer an idea in their head into a form that is ready to be filmed on camera?

    Pre-production is the process of everything you must do before you start the actual process of filming your project. The steps for pre-production are: Script breakdown, budget, schedule, crew, planning, talent, and rehearsal.Script breakdown is when your project gets green lit to make and produce and your script is locked, you AD will comb through the script and break down everything you need on a technical level such as; location, time of day, props, characters, stunts, extras, etc. Once you finish breaking down the script they must go over budgeting because after you get down the logistics and technical aspect of your project you must go over how much everything will cost and how much you can spend on each part of this project. After sorting out budgeting you begin to start forming your schedule. The schedule will give you a more organized format on your shoot days and what scenes you will shoot on which days, where you will shoot them, and how long you will be shooting for. After forming your schedule you begin to assemble your crew and most importantly your department heads because once you get those guys they will be able to help you assemble the crew further. After assembling your crew you can begin planning, this consist of getting together your shot list, location scouting and getting permits for said locations, storyboarding, and figuring out props. After you get that together your producer will go over it all to ensure it aligns with the budget you had set in the beginning. After that you will begin to gather your talent AKA your actors, the casting director will hold auditions for the roles in your project and you will select who you want apart of it. Once all of that is completed you can begin rehearsals which will then lead you into the production process.