What Is Pre-Production in Movies?

Pre-production in movies is the planning stage that takes place before principal photography, the period when the film is actually shot. During pre-production, the filmmaking team prepares the script, budget, shooting schedule, cast, crew, locations, sets, costumes, equipment and other requirements needed to begin filming.

The purpose of pre-production is to turn a film project into an organized shooting plan. It helps the director, producers and production departments understand what needs to happen, who is responsible and what resources are required.

Pre-production follows development and comes before principal photography. Although the stages are commonly described in this order, some activities can overlap rather than happening in a strict sequence. Sources: GOV.UK — Film Production Stages · ScreenSkills — The Film Business Handbook.

What Happens During Pre-Production in a Movie?

Pre-production involves the creative, financial and logistical planning required before filming starts. The exact tasks depend on the film’s budget, production schedule, locations, cast and technical requirements.

The main activities usually include the following.

1. Finalizing and Preparing the Screenplay

The screenplay provides the foundation for the film’s planning process. The director, producer and writer may review the script and make revisions before the production team uses it to prepare the shoot.

The team needs a working version of the screenplay so departments can identify the scenes, characters, locations and materials required.

Script changes can still happen during pre-production. However, changes need to be communicated clearly because they may affect the budget, shooting schedule, casting and other departments.

2. Breaking Down the Script

A script breakdown identifies the production requirements for each scene.

The production team reviews the screenplay and records the elements needed to film it, such as:

Actors and background performers
Locations and sets
Props and set decoration
Costumes, hair and makeup
Vehicles and special equipment
Stunts and special effects
Visual effects requirements
Day or night filming conditions

The breakdown helps the production team estimate the resources needed for the film. It also provides information for preparing the budget and shooting schedule.

3. Preparing the Movie Budget

The production budget estimates the money required to make the film.

A movie budget may include:

Cast and crew payments
Location fees and permits
Set construction and production design
Camera, lighting and sound equipment
Costumes, props, hair and makeup
Transportation and accommodation
Insurance and other production expenses
Post-production costs

The production manager, line producer and other production staff may help prepare and manage the budget, depending on the project’s structure.

The budget must reflect the film’s actual requirements. A production with extensive locations, large casts, complex stunts or visual effects will have different financial needs from a small independent film.

4. Creating the Shooting Schedule

A shooting schedule determines when and where each scene will be filmed.

Movies are not normally filmed in the same order in which audiences see the story. The production team groups scenes according to practical requirements such as location availability, actor schedules, equipment needs and production costs.

For example, scenes set in the same location may be scheduled together even if they appear in different parts of the finished movie.

The first assistant director and production management team commonly play important roles in preparing and coordinating the schedule. The schedule helps departments plan their work and tells cast and crew when they are needed.

5. Casting Actors

Casting is the process of finding and selecting actors for the film’s roles.

The director, producer and casting director may work together to identify suitable performers. Depending on the project, casting can involve:

Preparing character descriptions
Contacting actors or their representatives
Holding auditions
Reviewing audition recordings
Conducting callbacks
Negotiating actor agreements
Confirming cast availability

Casting decisions can influence the shooting schedule because actors have different availability and contractual arrangements.

6. Hiring the Film Crew

A movie needs a team of professionals to handle its creative and technical departments.

During pre-production, producers and production managers help hire key crew members and organize the wider production team.

Important crew positions may include:

Role	Main responsibility
Director	Guides the film’s creative and storytelling direction
Director of photography	Oversees cinematography and camera-related visual decisions
Production designer	Develops the film’s visual environment, sets and design
First assistant director	Helps coordinate the shooting schedule and on-set operations
Production manager	Manages practical production planning and resources
Costume designer	Plans and creates costumes for the characters
Location manager	Finds and coordinates filming locations
Casting director	Organizes the process of selecting actors

The size of the crew varies by production. A small independent film may combine responsibilities that a larger production assigns to separate departments.

7. Finding and Securing Filming Locations

Location scouting is the process of finding places suitable for filming.

The location team searches for places that match the script’s requirements and can accommodate the production. The director, cinematographer and production designer may also assess locations before the final selection.

The team may consider:

Whether the location fits the story
Access for cast, crew and equipment
Available space for filming
Lighting and sound conditions
Transportation and parking
Location fees and permissions
Safety and practical restrictions

Finding a suitable place is only part of the process. The production must also arrange the necessary agreements and permissions before filming there.

8. Designing Sets, Costumes and Props

The production design department prepares the physical and visual elements needed to create the film’s world.

This work may include designing sets, selecting furniture, sourcing props and developing the appearance of different locations. Costume, hair and makeup departments also prepare the visual details of the characters.

The director and production designer work together to establish the film’s visual approach. Their decisions help ensure that sets, costumes, props and other design elements support the story.

For films with large or fictional environments, this work may involve extensive construction and detailed planning.

9. Preparing Storyboards and Shot Lists

Storyboards and shot lists help the director and cinematography team plan how scenes will be filmed.

A storyboard uses a sequence of drawings or images to show how a scene may look from shot to shot.

A shot list records the individual camera shots planned for a scene. It may include details such as shot size, camera angle, movement and other filming requirements.

These documents help communicate the director’s visual intentions to the production team. They are particularly useful for complex action scenes, visual effects, camera movements and scenes requiring detailed coordination.

Not every scene needs a detailed storyboard. The amount of visual planning depends on the production’s needs.

10. Organizing Rehearsals, Equipment and Final Preparations

As filming approaches, departments prepare the remaining requirements for the first shooting day.

These preparations may include:

Rehearsing scenes with actors
Conducting costume fittings
Testing cameras, lenses and lighting
Arranging sound equipment
Booking production facilities
Confirming transportation and accommodation
Completing required contracts and permissions
Reviewing safety arrangements
Confirming the final shooting schedule

The production team also communicates the first day’s instructions through a call sheet. A call sheet provides practical information such as the filming location, reporting times and the people required for that day’s work.

The aim is to make sure the relevant departments know where they need to be and what they need to prepare before filming begins.

Who Is Involved in Movie Pre-Production?

Pre-production involves several departments. Producers coordinate the overall project, while specialists handle specific creative, financial and logistical responsibilities.

The main people involved include:

Producer: Oversees the project and helps coordinate its creative, financial and organizational requirements.
Director: Develops the creative approach and works with departments to prepare the film.
Line producer: Helps manage the production budget and practical arrangements.
Production manager: Coordinates production resources, staffing and logistics.
First assistant director: Helps organize the shooting schedule and prepares the production for filming.
Casting director: Organizes auditions and helps select actors.
Location manager: Finds and secures suitable filming locations.
Production designer: Plans the visual environment, sets and design elements.
Director of photography: Plans the film’s cinematography and camera requirements.

Not every production uses the same team structure. Responsibilities can vary according to the budget, scale and working arrangements of the film.

How Long Does Pre-Production Take for a Movie?

Movie pre-production does not have one fixed duration. The time required depends on the film’s budget, length, number of locations, cast size, visual effects, set construction and other production requirements.

Film Training Manitoba gives an approximate pre-production period of three to eight weeks in its overview of production stages. The organization also emphasizes that production timelines vary considerably according to the project. Source: Film Training Manitoba — Stages of Production.

A smaller production with limited locations and a manageable cast may need less preparation. A large feature film involving complex sets, extensive visual effects, difficult locations or a large cast may require a longer planning period.

The following factors can affect the timeline:

Script changes: Revisions can require new planning and adjustments to existing work.
Casting: Finding suitable actors and coordinating their availability can take time.
Locations: Scouting, negotiations and permissions may affect the schedule.
Set construction: Custom sets require design, materials, labor and preparation.
Visual effects: Complex effects may need advance technical and creative planning.
Budget and financing: The production must have the necessary financial arrangements in place to proceed.

Pre-production is considered complete when the major requirements are sufficiently prepared for principal photography to begin. Some planning and administrative work may continue during filming.

Why Is Pre-Production Important in Filmmaking?

Pre-production is important because it prepares the production team to film the movie with an agreed plan, available resources and clearly assigned responsibilities.

Without adequate preparation, a production may face avoidable problems involving schedules, locations, cast availability, equipment, budgets and coordination between departments.

Good pre-production helps the team:

Organize filming: The shooting schedule helps cast and crew understand when and where scenes will be filmed.
Plan production costs: A detailed budget helps identify the resources and expenses required.
Coordinate departments: Each department can prepare the materials and equipment it needs.
Prepare locations: The production can arrange access, permissions and practical requirements before filming.
Plan creative decisions: Storyboards, shot lists and production design help communicate the director’s vision.
Identify potential problems: Planning gives the team an opportunity to address practical issues before they disrupt filming.

Pre-production cannot guarantee that filming will run perfectly. Weather, technical problems, schedule changes and other unexpected issues can still occur. However, preparation gives the team a clearer plan for handling those challenges.

What Is the Difference Between Pre-Production, Production and Post-Production?

Pre-production, production and post-production are three commonly used stages of live-action filmmaking. Each stage has a different purpose.

Stage	What happens
Pre-production	The team plans the film, prepares the budget and schedule, hires cast and crew, and organizes locations and equipment.
Production	The team films the scenes and records the material needed for the movie.
Post-production	The footage is edited, sound and music are completed, visual effects are added and the film is prepared for delivery.

Pre-production prepares the movie for filming. Production captures the material. Post-production turns that material into the finished film.

The stages are useful ways to organize the process, but some activities overlap. For example, script revisions and certain post-production preparations may continue while other production work is underway. Source: GOV.UK — Film and TV Production Phases.

Read our broader guide to what movie production involves, from development to distribution, or learn about what happens during post-production.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main purpose of pre-production?

The main purpose of pre-production is to prepare a film for shooting. The production team plans the script, budget, schedule, cast, crew, locations, sets, equipment and other requirements before principal photography begins.

Does pre-production happen before filming?

Yes. Pre-production takes place before principal photography, which is the stage when the movie is filmed. It prepares the cast, crew and production departments for the shoot.

What are the five main tasks in pre-production?

Five major pre-production tasks are preparing the screenplay, breaking down the script, finalizing the budget, creating the shooting schedule and organizing the cast and crew. Location scouting, production design, storyboarding and equipment preparation are also important.

Who is responsible for pre-production in a movie?

The producer oversees the project, while the director, line producer, production manager, first assistant director and department heads handle different parts of the preparation. The exact responsibilities depend on the production’s structure.

Is pre-production the same as development?

No. Development focuses on shaping a film project and deciding whether it can proceed. Pre-production is the planning stage after the project moves toward being made. Pre-production focuses on preparing the script, budget, schedule, cast, crew and practical requirements for filming.

Can a movie’s script change during pre-production?

Yes. A screenplay may be revised during pre-production. However, changes need to be communicated to the relevant departments because they can affect casting, scheduling, budgeting, locations and other preparations.

Final Takeaway

Pre-production is the planning stage that prepares a movie for filming. It includes screenplay preparation, script breakdown, budgeting, scheduling, casting, crew hiring, location scouting, production design and technical preparation.

The amount of time required depends on the scale and complexity of the film. A well-organized pre-production process gives the director, producers and production team a practical plan before principal photography begins.