In general, there are five stages to the production process:
Development: The start of a project is referred to as development. It can entail things like coming up with a story idea, writing a script, putting together a key creative team, and/or putting together a financial plan/players. This stage usually lasts several years.
Pre-production (commonly known as “Prep”): The time when the project starts hiring crew, setting up a production office, and getting ready to shoot the project. This stage lasts 3–8 weeks on average.
Principal photography (commonly known as “Principal”): the time frame in which the project/production is being filmed. The length of time this takes is determined by the project’s magnitude. It is possible to shoot on location or in a studio. A full-length feature film can take up to three months to shoot, whereas a half-hour television show can be completed in as little as four days. The duration of principal photography is usually between 4 and 10 weeks.
Post-production (commonly known as “Post”): The period during which the project/production is edited for both image and sound. During this phase, music and visual effects are also composed and added to the picture. Materials for marketing and publicity are created. This time can span anywhere between 4 and 12 weeks.
Distribution: The period during which the project/production is distributed and/or sold is known as distribution. This time frame is usually between 6 and 12 months.
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