Project Management in the Film Industry

Vince Marcello May 21, 2007 Dekker PPM Forum

Overview
The Project Management Paradigm Related to the Film Industry in Four Phases:
Define = Development Plan = Pre-Production Execute = Production and Post-Production Deliver = Marketing and Distribution

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Key Players
Government Agencies = Studio Prime Contractors = Production Companies Subcontractors = Departments Program Manager = Executive Producers Project Manager = Producers and Director

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Development
Defining the Project

Development
Ideation Hire writer Write script Script development meetings Rewrites

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Development Contd.
Screenplay

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Development Contd.
Pitching script Create an initial budget Attach talent Selling project to studio Getting a green light

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Preproduction
Planning the Project

Preproduction
Break down script 1/8 of a page Create Budget - Line Producer

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Preproduction Contd.
Budget

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Preproduction Contd.
Break down script 1/8 of a page Create Budget - Line Producer Assign Resources
Casting, Crew, Subcontractors

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Preproduction Contd.
Resources

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Preproduction Contd.
Break down script 1/8 of a page Create Budget - Line Producer Assign Resources
Casting, Crew, Subcontractors

Scheduling
Constraints (talent schedule, costs, release dates, locations, daylight) What is shot on what day Examples

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Preproduction Contd.
Schedule

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Preproduction Contd.
Break down script 1/8 of a page Create Budget - Line Producer Assign Resources
Casting, Crew, Subcontractors

Scheduling
Constraints (talent schedule, costs, release dates, locations, daylight) What is shot what day Examples:

Location scouting

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Preproduction Contd.
Storyboarding The Planned Shot

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Preproduction Contd.
Storyboarding The Completed Shot

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Preproduction Contd.
Storyboarding Department tasks
Wardrobe Production Design Sound Camera Directors Unit Music Post Super

Begin developing marketing plan

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Production and Post

Executing the Project Plan

Production and Post

Schedule order of shots for each day (pages per day) Department tasks Set-tiquette

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Production and Post Contd.

Set-tiquette

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Production and Post Contd.

Schedule order of shots for each day (pages per day) Department tasks Set-tiquette Line Producer tracking costs and expenses (plan to actual, money and days) example: KILL BILL and RUSHMORE

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Production and Post Contd.

Budget

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Production and Post Contd.

Schedule order of shots for each day (pages per day) Department tasks Set-tiquette Line Producer tracking costs and expenses (plan to actual, money and days) example: KILL BILL and RUSHMORE Meals and Craft (eat there, rather than lunch out)

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Production and Post Contd.

Developing film and watching dailies Adjusting for variances (scheduling) Post schedule Picture editing and re-editing VFX development

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Production and Post Contd.

Executive screenings approvals Final cut / picture lock Sound editing - dialogue, ADR, Foley, FXs Finalize VFX

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Production and Post Contd.

Visual Effects Before

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Production and Post Contd.

Visual Effects After

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Production and Post Contd.

Executive screenings approvals Final cut / picture lock Sound editing - dialogue, ADR, Foley, FX Finalize VFX Final conforming of negative or D.I. Answer print

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Marketing and Distribution

Project Delivery

Marketing and Distribution

Create prints Distribution schedule (How many screens will this open on? What dates? Exhibition 90% of first week to distributor/studio) Billboards TV ads Onesheets

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Marketing and Distribution Contd.

Onesheets

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Marketing and Distribution Contd.

Onesheets - Detail

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Marketing and Distribution Contd.

Trailers

Play Trailer

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Marketing and Distribution Contd.

Trailers Ancillary tie ins Foreign Printmasters DVD

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Marketing and Distribution Contd.

DVD Cover Art

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Questions