The motto of production should be "expect the unexpected." Motion picture production is a team sport, with a lot of organized chaos. Whatever the analogy, filmmaking is truly a collaborative effort, bringing an assortment of talented people together. Typically, a film takes about a year to complete, from pre-production to final print. As with any collaboration, production offers its own challenges and unexpected detours. The script development phase can take years and a film budget can range from $1 million to $100 million, but the basics of filmmaking never change. What follows is a general overview of the filmmaking process.

One project out of hundreds in development is "green-lit" to actually be made. The project has a director and producers. The script is undergoing final revisions.The actors are being cast. Before filming begins, pre-production is a busy and crucial time for the whole crew. From computer animation to set construction to make-up effects, as much "prep" work as possible must be done before filming begins.