Principal Photography

Principal Photography is the period in which the core of the film is shot.  There may be some B-roll or secondary shots that are needed to enhance the story during editing; all this material is done either simultaneously to principal photography or after principal photography has been completed.

The creative team has carefully prepared during pre-production to ensure the principal photography period runs as smoothly as possible. Actual production of the film occurs under the direction of the producers and the director. Based on the physical needs of the screenplay, and extensive conversations between the director, producers and key department heads, a shooting schedule is determined that can range from as few as 20 days – or fewer – for low-budget films to a medium-budget range of 40-60 shooting days, with some productions requiring as many as 150 days of principal photography due to extensive action and effects sequences. Unforeseen circumstances – such as weather conditions or malfunctioning equipment – can affect principal photography shooting schedules.

During principal photography, the director is the boss and the cast and crew take full direction from the director. Should the need arise to make any changes or suggestions in the execution of the schedule, such comments will be made by the producers to the director. The producer’s job at this point is three-fold: support the director with everything needed to shoot his film, ensure the artistic integrity of the screenplay, and yet maintain and institute management policies to ensure that the film remains on budget and on schedule.

This is also the stage when hand-drawn or computer generated animation and digital characters, environments and worlds are created.