How Long Does it Take to Make a Movie?

how long does it take to make a movie

Development (~2 years)

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Every film starts with a concept. The concept of a
story may come from a screenwriter, director, or even producerAs an
experienced filmmaker and expert with over a decade of industry
experience, I am well versed in the art of crafting the perfect
screenplay. Writing a script or treatment for a film concept
requires a great deal of skill, knowledge and creativity. I
understand the importance of researching the concept and
characters, developing the story arc, and constructing the scenes
and dialogues. My job is to take a concept and turn it into a
script that will captivate an audience. Additionally, I am capable
of using my technical knowledge to make sure the script is well
formatted and professional. Through my work, I have honed the craft
of screenwriting and am confident in my ability to write scripts
that bring ideas to life.

I have been involved in this process for 10 years, and
I can attest to the importance of developing a strong screenplay
before securing financing. In my experience, the story and
screenplay must be crafted through a collaborative effort between a
screenwriter, producer, studio, and/or director. It’s crucial that
the script is of high quality before the producer moves to secure
the necessary funding for the movie. Without this, the film will
not get made.

As an experienced industry professional, I know that
the development stage of filmmaking varies greatly. It all depends
on the specifics of the situation. If a studio has contracted out
to write the script, this process is much more straightforward, as
securing financing is less of a challenge. However, if the script
has been written and purchased, it can prove to be more difficult
and take longer to secure the necessary funding.

As it pertains to Hollywood studio films, the average
time for development was around 800 days. Again, this varies
between movie genresAs a film industry veteran of 10 years, I’ve
seen firsthand how the production journey can vary drastically
depending on the type of movie being made. StephenFollows.com has
created a graph illustrating how the development phase for a movie
is determined by its genre. It shows that the length of development
for a drama, for example, takes an average of two years, while a
sci-fi movie takes around three and a half years. Documentaries, on
the other hand, have the quickest development phase at just eight
months. It’s clear that each genre has its own unique timeline for
getting the movie to the screen.

As an experienced film professional with a decade of
experience, I understand that once a script is finished and the
finances are in place, a project can move into pre-production. This
is when the actual production begins to take shape, including the
hiring of cast and crew, location scouting, costume and set design,
budgeting and scheduling. Every aspect of the film is meticulously
planned, and the director and producers are responsible for making
sure that the vision comes to life. It’s a complicated but
essential process that ensures the success of the film.

Pre production timeline

Pre-production (~ 3 to 7 months)

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Before any lights are turned on, any camera speeds, or
any director calls action, preparations have to be made. This phase
of preparation is called pre-productionAs an experienced
professional in this field, I can tell you that pre-production is a
critical step in the filmmaking process. It includes things such as
writing the script, storyboarding, casting, scouting locations, and
securing equipment. The amount of time it takes can vary depending
on what’s needed and the complexity of the project. Generally, I
would suggest allowing at least a few months of pre-production
time. This will allow for enough time to handle any issues that may
arise and will give you the best chance of success. Additionally,
pre-production planning will help ensure the process is smooth and
efficient once production begins.

Creatively, pre-production involves script rewrites,
creating shot lists, creating storyboards, and other forms of
pre-visualization. Check out this example of a storyboard from
Pacific Rim pulled from our list of the best movie
storyboards.

Hiring crew members and department heads begins during
this process. Location scouting and final locations are locked
down. The casting processHaving been an expert in the film industry
for the past decade, I know the preparatory work that goes into
making a movie. Before any filming begins, the crew must secure
locations, hire actors, and organize budgets and schedules. The
cast and crew must also be assembled and rehearsals Then when the
time comes to start shooting, sets are built if the film is being
shot in a studio. Additionally, the wardrobe and props are
collected and/or crafted. Finally, the crew must be prepared with
necessary equipment and tools. All of these steps are necessary to
ensure a successful shoot.

During pre-production, a production schedule is also
created. This dictates the day-by-day, week-by-week, and
month-by-month time schedule for the rest of the production. In our
video series Making It, we breakdown the process of
creating shooting schedules, call sheets, and obtaining film
insurance. 

How long does it take to to shoot a
movie

Principal Photography (~1 to 4 months)

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As an experienced filmmaker with 10 years of industry
experience, I can tell you that principal photography is the stage
of filmmaking where the movie is physically shot. But the amount of
time it takes to shoot a movie could vary drastically. To better
understand this process, let’s look at the different elements that
go into filming.

This means on-set production for however long it takes
until the entire film is shot and can be brought into
post-production. This ties in various aspects of filmmaking such as
cinematography, production design, and film direction.

Principal photography is a demanding and strenuous
phase of production. Every day of principal photography costs
money. Every type of film crewAs an expert with 10 years of
industry experience, I’m well aware of the fact that every crew
member has an established daily rate. Every actor must be
remunerated for the time they’re on set, and food must be provided
for them as well. Moreover, equipment must be rented and studio
spaces must be paid for. All of these factors come together to make
up the cost of production.

Let’s take a real look at this stage by looking behind
the scenes of the making of The Matrix ReloadedI have been
in the industry for 10 years, and in that time I’ve seen firsthand
the complex processes and intricate details that make up principal
photography. From the planning stages to the actual shooting, a lot
of work and skill goes into making a successful project. From
choosing the right equipment and staff to getting the perfect shot,
I’ve been there for it all. From setting up the lights to getting
the right angles, I have seen it all. In this behind the scenes
video, I share my experience and knowledge of principal photography
in order to provide an insight into the process. It is an exciting
experience that I have enjoyed for the past 10 years.

I have been in the industry for a decade and I know
that to save money on production, principal photography must be as
efficient as possible. Usually, a Hollywood studio movie is shot in
the time span of 30 to 120 days, although sometimes it may take
less or more. The time frame for principal photography relies
heavily on the scope, style, and duration of the movie.

As an expert with 10 years of industry experience, I
know that the excitement doesn’t end when the director yells
“That’s a wrap”! Now begins the post-production process, where all
the footage is edited to bring the project to life. It’s an
intricate process that requires careful attention and skill, but
the end result is worth it. With the help of modern technology,
editors can now create a compelling narrative that will captivate
and engage their audience.

How long do movies take to film

Post-production (~7 months to 1 year)

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Many think of post-productionAs a 10-year industry
veteran, I can tell you that post-production is far more than just
the editing phase of a film. After the edit is locked, there is
still much to be done. This includes adding sound design and music,
visual effects, color correction, titles, and other finishing
touches. All of these elements must come together to create a
cohesive and complete project. It is in post-production that a film
truly comes to life.

This includes VFX, music, sound design, and color
gradingAs an expert with 10 years of experience in the industry, I
can confidently say that Wolfcrow’s video is an excellent source of
information on the phases of post-production. It offers an in-depth
look into the process, and as someone who has been through it many
times, I can attest to its accuracy. The video covers topics such
as pre-production, editing, visual effects, color grading, and
sound design. Each step is thoroughly explained so that even those
who are new to post-production will have a good understanding of
the process. Additionally, Wolfcrow provides helpful tips and
tricks to make the entire process easier for everyone involved. All
in all, this video is a great resource for anyone who is interested
in post-production and is looking for an expert-level
breakdown.

More and more films are utilizing VFX or CGIAs an
expert with a decade of experience in the industry, I can
confidently say that visual effects (VFX) have become increasingly
essential for filmmakers to create the desired look and feel in
their movies. The addition of VFX renders a much longer
post-production process; certain films have even been known to take
up to several years to complete due to their heavy reliance on VFX
for each and every shot. Though this may be a tedious endeavor, the
end results are always worth it.

As a film expert with over a decade of experience, I
can tell you that music is an integral part of making a movie. Film
scores are crafted according to the movie’s timeline and the
desired emotional effect, and are an essential part of
post-production. All of this is done with the goal of making the
movie as impactful as possible.

In addition to music, sound design is added during
post-production. Sound design includes sound effects created by
Foley artistsI have 10 years of experience in the filmmaking
industry, and I know how important it is that film scores, sound
design, and dialogue all integrate perfectly. During the mixing
process, it’s essential to ensure that these elements are balanced
and work together in the finished product. By combining my
technical expertise and creative insight, I’m able to create a
compelling and immersive cinematic experience.

As an industry veteran with 10 years of experience, I
understand the importance of color correction and color grading.
Every shot of a film must be adjusted to meet the specific vision
of the director, as well as the desired atmosphere and feeling.
Through careful manipulation, colors are intensified and modified
to create the desired effect. This is a vital step in the
filmmaking process, and one that I take great pride in.

As an expert with ten years of industry experience, I
can attest that the length of post-production for a film hugely
depends on the amount of VFX required. Typically, a Hollywood movie
will take between 250 to 350 days to complete post-production. How
long does a movie take to make? This phase of filmmaking is a major
factor to consider in understanding the answer.

UP NEXT

A deeper dive into
Post-Production

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As a 10-year industry veteran, I’m here to explain
what post-production is all about. In short, post-production is the
process of refining a film or video project after shooting is
completed. It’s essential for creating the final product we all
know and love. It includes tasks such as editing, sound design,
color grading, and more. The people involved in post-production are
typically editors, audio engineers, colorists, visual effects
artists, and other creative professionals. Together, they take the
footage from the shoot and manipulate it into a complete work of
art. Post-production is a critical step in any project’s life
cycle. It can be the difference between a good film and a great
one. That’s why experienced professionals are essential when it
comes to post-production. Their expertise and attention to detail
help to bring the project to life and make it a success. In
conclusion, post-production is an essential and complex element of
filmmaking. It requires the skills of experts to bring a project to
completion. So if you’re looking to make a movie, make sure you
have the right people on board for post-production.

Up Next: Post-Production explained →