Executive Producer Michael Luisi’s Beginner’s Guide to Film Production

Film production is one of the most demanding jobs of the 21st Century. The film industry is both wildly competitive and uniquely rewarding. As a long-time veteran of the film production industry, Michael Luisi shares some advice on how to successfully produce compelling films. Here is a beginner’s guide to dynamic film production, courtesy of Michael Luisi.

Film Development & Script Writing

New film producers must think carefully about the screenplay before considering the filming process. A movie has no chance of doing well if the writing is subpar. Therefore, the writing must be original, imaginative, and compelling. The best screenwriters spend years reading good scripts and pushing the limits of their imagination.

The story that inspires the movie will ultimately place certain demands on a budget. As such, Michael Luisi notes that the production planning must advance as the writing develops. The producer and the writer should collaborate well enough so that a production budget is reasonably established and as accurate as possible.

Film Pre-Production

In pre-production, producers establish casting, filming locations, scheduling, equipment, and production staff. The budget will, of course, determine how extensive this pre-planning becomes. While there exists today a lot of great productivity software built just for film producers, most of the filming success comes down to the determination, character, and experience of the cast and crew.

As such, producers have to select these members carefully, according to Michael Luisi. He/she should examine roles to fill, build a work breakdown structure, and hire managers before hiring lower-level staff. If the film is a low-budget film, the producer will need to determine which people can assume multiple roles well.

Film Production

Once a producer is ready to begin the filming process, each cast and crew member needs to know where to be and when. Good producers establish expectations, such as defining professional standards that keep filming on schedule, as well as establishing a process for conflict resolution as tired team members begin to become impatient with one another.

Everyone should plan to film more than is necessary. Michael Luisi states that often, one good “shoot” will take 3 to 5 times longer than the finished scene, so plan accordingly. Experienced producers know how to create a proper balance between shooting until they’ve secured the right take and keeping the process moving. While it is smart to prepare for delays along the way, it is also important to remember that an entire budget can be blown on one or two scenes if the project does not keep moving forward.

Film Post-Production

After the cast and crew go home, much of the “real work” begins. This involves hours of editing, adding special effects, and finalizing the movie for distribution. Producers must secure experts in graphic design, audio, film editing, and film marketing. Depending upon where the film is going, getting a healthy return on investment means carefully crafting the finished product.

Michael Luisi possesses decades of experience in film production and entertainment law. As a film consultant, Michael currently serves as a producer for “Green Flower Nation” at Cadence13 and an adjunct professor at the University of Southern California. For more information, find him on LinkedIn or visit his website.