It takes a whole lot more than a good idea to get a movie in the theaters. Filmmaking is a complicated process involving many different stages, each of which has its own unique challenges. This section will guide you through the process of taking your movie from conception to completion, and will help you to avoid many of the pitfalls along the way.

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Glossary of Terms - If you want to work in Hollywood, it's important to speak the language. Here is a glossary of commonly-used terms and job descriptions to use as a reference.

Development - Okay, so you have a story you want to tell. Maybe it’s your own great idea, maybe it’s a script or a book that someone else has written. What now? Development is the process of shaping and preparing the story for the screen, and bringing in those people who can help the project get financed.

Financing - There are many kinds of movies, from Independent to Studio, but they all have one requirement in common. Money. It costs money to make a movie. A film’s budget can range from a few thousand dollars (or in our case $1,100 for "My Date with Drew") to many millions, but whatever it is, the financing has to come from somewhere. So how do you find it?

PreProduction - Now that you have the money in place, it’s time to make your movie. But before you put everyone on the payroll and start shooting, there’s a lot of planning to do. Pre-Production is your last stop before principal photography begins. Now is when you make the big decisions that will save you time and money on the set.

Production - Here’s the part you’ve been dreaming of. Principal photography. Actors are on the set. Cameras are rolling. The script is coming to life. If you planned well in Pre-Production, things should be running smoothly. Production usually means long hours and a lot of stress, but this is what you do it all for. When principal photography is over, you’ve captured most of the images that will eventually make up your finished film.

PostProduction - Finally, your film is in the can. It’s time to put all the pieces together. Post Production is the phase where a movie really becomes a movie. This is where the editor chooses the sequence of shots, all the music and effects are added, and your vision is fully realized. Now you’re ready for the theaters.

Distribution - Once you’ve finished your movie, you want as many people as possible to see it. At this point your goal should be to make a deal with one or more distributors, who will market your film and release it all over the world. But how do you know what distributor is best? And when you’ve figured that out, how do you get their attention so they’ll watch your movie and make you an offer?

Legal Issues & Forms - One of the most confusing (and frightening) areas for many beginner filmmakers is dealing with legal issues. The process of making a movie involves many contracts, legal forms, and in some unfortunate situations, lawsuits. So it’s very important to find a good lawyer to guide you through the entire process. In this section you will find some helpful legal tips, resources, and an assortment of standard documents for many situations you may encounter. But please note that nothing here is meant to act as actual legal advice. You should contact your lawyer before making any decisions, and communicate with the local unions and government offices for the latest information.

Interviews - What better way to learn than by asking the pros? Check out our ever-growing list of interviews and discussions with top-level filmmakers. Their stories and advice will help bring your career to the next level.

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