There are two roles that are essential to this phase. The producer and the screenwriter. A producer may deal with finances and organization. They might work independently to look for film projects and working with production companies or distributors to finance the film. Or they might work for the distribution company to form ideas for movies. The producer is the middle man between the director and the company that is financing the film. When the film is complete, it is the producer's job to promote and market the film. They also have to pay the money back that was invested into the production. Of course in America, we have subdivisions of producers.
- Executive Producer- is the person who arranges the finances for the film
- Line Producer- is the person that oversees the day-to-day activities of all working on the movie
- Associate Producer- helps the line producer by acting as a liaison with laboratories or tech personnel
The screenwriter prepares the script, or screenplay. Sometimes the writer composes an original that gets sent to an agent, who then submits it to a production company. Or an actual screenwriter with experience meets with a producer where they can propose ideas for a script. Screenplays will usually go through several different stages with a synopsis of the action known as treatment, followed by one or more full-length scripts, and finally a final version known as the shooting script. Screenwriters earn their living by fixing the mistakes of writers.