

It tells us that different commercial, film, or TV pre-production steps frequently have to happen at the same time. The exact length of time allotted to the pre-production stage does not matter.Īnd what does that tell us about the elements of pre-production work from a practical point of view? What happens during pre-production on a long pre-production timeline will look similar to the pre-production steps performed on a short pre-production timeline.

Yet the meaning of pre-production work dictates that many of the same basic tasks be performed regardless of the length of your pre-production timeline. There can be very long pre-production timelines, just as there can be stressfully short pre-production timelines. The pre-production stage can be surprisingly variable in length, depending on whether we’re talking about pre-production in film, television, commercials, or some other format altogether. Pre-production in film, television, or commercial filmmaking technically encompasses all the tasks that happen after the project’s initial development phase and before cameras actually start rolling.īasically, if your production has a greenlight but hasn’t started shooting, it’s in the pre-production stage. Watch Ryan Connolly of Film Riot discuss his pre-production process for his short film. To properly define pre-production, let's distinguish this stage from the others that come before and after. In this post, we’ll explore the essential elements of pre-pro in order to go beyond basic definitions and bring you an in-depth understanding of what happens during pre-production stages in film, television, and commercial filmmaking. It’s during the pre-production stage that a project officially begins its metamorphosis from a concept that exists on paper to an experience that exists on screen.īut while that pre-production definition sounds nice in theory, what is pre-production in the real world? What does it mean in practical terms? What is the actual work of the film or TV pre-production process like on a day-to-day basis? Calling technical cues to the crew over a wireless headset.Pre-production in film or television represents a major pivot point in the life cycle of any project.Ensuring that everyone is ready for curtain and in the wings in time for their entrances.Running the performers through warm-ups and notes.Supervising preshow activities such as technical and safety checks.Once a show has opened, the stage manager is in charge of overseeing the integrity of the performance, including: "the bible")-a thick binder containing the production's sound, lighting, and set cues, as well as other vital information. Convey the director's wishes to designers and stage crew.Record the director's decisions about blocking and notes for the actors.

Stage managers schedule and run rehearsals, where they also: Although the details of the role vary depending on the art form in question, stage managers in all disciplines are broadly responsible for ensuring that the production runs smoothly from first rehearsal to final curtain call. Stage managers facilitate communication across all creative and technical departments act as a right hand to the director oversee sets, props, lights, and sound and call all technical cues during performances. A stage manager is like the hub of a wheel-the central, stabilizing core from which the spokes of a production radiate.
