A two-hour film can take months or even years to make, involving hundreds of people. Here is how a film travels from an idea to the screen.

1. Development

It starts with an idea, which could be an original story, a book, a true event or a remake. A screenwriter develops the story into a screenplay (script) with scenes and dialogue. Producers arrange the money and secure rights.

2. Pre-production

Planning everything before filming:

• Casting actors.
• Hiring the crew: director of photography, production designer, costume designer and more.
• Choosing locations and building sets.
• Creating a storyboard, comic-like drawings of each shot.
• Preparing a shooting schedule and budget.

3. Production (the shoot)

The cameras roll. The director guides actors and decides how each scene should look and feel. The cinematographer handles cameras and lighting, while sound recordists capture dialogue. Scenes are usually shot out of order, grouped by location to save time and money.

4. Post-production

Often the longest stage:

• Editing: the editor chooses the best takes and assembles the story.
• Visual effects (VFX) are added.
• Sound design adds effects and dubbing.
• Music: the background score and songs are added.
• Colour grading gives the film its final look.

5. Distribution and release

The film is certified (in India by the Central Board of Film Certification), marketed with trailers and posters, and released in theatres, on streaming platforms or on TV.

Who does what?

• Producer: manages money and business.
• Director: leads the creative vision.
• Writer: creates the story.
• Editor: shapes the final film.