From Script to Screen with MakeFilm TNG: A Step-by-Step Production PlanBringing a script to life is a rewarding but complex journey. MakeFilm TNG streamlines many stages of production, from pre-production planning through post-production finishing. This article provides a practical, step-by-step production plan that leverages MakeFilm TNG’s tools and workflows to help independent filmmakers, small production teams, and content creators produce polished, professional-looking videos.
1. Project Setup & Vision
1.1 Define the project
- Clarify format (short film, promo, web series, commercial), runtime, and target platform.
- Identify the core message or emotional throughline.
1.2 Create a production brief
- Include logline, synopsis, target audience, tone, visual references, and a preliminary budget.
- Add key delivery specs: resolution (e.g., 4K at 24 fps), aspect ratio, audio loudness target.
1.3 Start a MakeFilm TNG project
- Create a new project in MakeFilm TNG and import the production brief.
- Set project metadata (title, credits, delivery dates) so team members have a single source of truth.
2. Script & Story Development
2.1 Finalize the script
- Use a screenwriting tool (or import a formatted script) and lock the shooting draft.
- Identify scenes that require VFX, motion graphics, or special audio design.
2.2 Breakdown & scene tagging
- Break the script into scenes and tag elements: cast, props, locations, effects.
- In MakeFilm TNG, add scene-level notes and attach reference images or moodboards.
2.3 Storyboard and shotlist
- Create storyboards for key sequences. If drawing isn’t your strength, use MakeFilm TNG’s thumbnail/sketch tools or storyboard templates.
- Convert storyboards into a prioritized shotlist with shot types, focal lengths, and movement notes.
3. Pre-Production Planning
3.1 Casting & rehearsals
- Schedule auditions and callbacks. Keep audition tapes organized in MakeFilm TNG under each character.
- Plan table reads and rehearsals; upload rehearsal takes & notes to the project for director and actors.
3.2 Location scouting & permits
- Use MakeFilm TNG’s location folders to store photos, contact info, and permit status.
- Add notes about power, parking, noise, and available light for each location.
3.3 Crew, equipment & scheduling
- Build a crew list (director, DP, sound mixer, gaffer, etc.) with contact details and roles.
- Create an equipment list and assign items to days/shoots. Tag camera, lenses, lighting, and audio gear.
- Use MakeFilm TNG’s calendar or export to call sheet tools to build a day-by-day shooting schedule.
3.4 Budgeting & insurance
- Attach budget spreadsheets and track spending against line items.
- Ensure production insurance and location-specific permits are documented in the project.
4. Production — Shooting Phase
4.1 Daily call sheets & communication
- Distribute call sheets via MakeFilm TNG’s integrated call sheet feature or export PDFs. Include times, scenes, maps, and safety notes.
- Use project chat/notes for day-of updates and quick changes.
4.2 On-set workflow
- Follow your shotlist but remain flexible for creative discoveries.
- Log takes in MakeFilm TNG: mark circle-takes, note slate numbers, and flag selects in real time.
- Capture reference audio and ambient room tone; label audio files with scene/take metadata.
4.3 Data management
- Implement a 3-2-1 backup strategy: two onsite copies and one offsite. Log backups in the project’s media bin.
- Use consistent file naming and metadata tags so footage is searchable within MakeFilm TNG.
4.4 Continuity & VFX plates
- Maintain continuity photos and notes in the project for wardrobe and set dressing.
- For VFX shots, capture clean plates, tracking markers, and camera data (lens, focal length, frame rate), then attach to the corresponding shot entry.
5. Post-Production — Assembly & Editorial
5.1 Ingesting & organizing media
- Ingest footage into MakeFilm TNG’s media library; transcode if necessary.
- Tag selects and create bins for scenes, coverage, and pickup shots.
5.2 Offline editing
- Assemble a rough cut following the script and director’s vision.
- Use scene markers and notes to request pickups or ADR and to track editorial decisions.
5.3 Sound design & music
- Early: lay in temporary music and sound effects to guide pacing.
- Replace temp tracks with licensed or original compositions. Store stems and cue sheets in the project.
- Edit dialogue, remove noise, and assemble a full mix pass in stages (dialogue, FX, music).
5.4 Visual effects & motion graphics
- Export VFX shots with precise frame ranges and metadata. Use MakeFilm TNG to hand off assets to VFX artists with notes and reference frames.
- Create title sequences and motion graphics; keep iterations version-controlled in the project.
5.5 Color grading
- Conform the edit, then perform color grading to match visual references and establish the final look.
- Compare before/after stills and export LUTs as needed.
6. Review Cycles & Feedback
6.1 Internal reviews
- Use MakeFilm TNG’s review tools to circulate cuts with time-stamped comments.
- Track changes and mark approval status for each deliverable.
6.2 Client/stakeholder feedback
- Share review links or watermarked cuts with stakeholders. Collect consolidated notes and prioritize fixes.
- Maintain a changelog so edits can be traced and reverted if necessary.
6.3 Final approvals
- Lock picture, sound, VFX, and color once feedback is satisfied. Document sign-offs for legal and archive purposes.
7. Final Delivery & Distribution
7.1 Deliverables checklist
- Create final deliverables list: mastered file (codec/container), mezzanine master, web-compressed versions, proxies, captions/subtitles, and delivery PDFs (credit lists, cue sheets, E&O).
- Confirm technical specs (bitrate, color space, loudness) and export accordingly. Example: Master: ProRes 422 HQ, 4K DCI, 24 fps; Delivery web: H.264 1920×1080, -14 to -16 LUFS.
7.2 Closed captions & accessibility
- Generate captions and subtitles, proofread, and attach caption files (SRT, VTT) to the project.
7.3 Archiving
- Archive masters, raw footage, project files, paperwork, and contact lists. Use both cloud and offline storage and record the archive locations within MakeFilm TNG.
7.4 Marketing assets
- Produce trailers, behind-the-scenes clips, stills, and social cuts sized for each platform.
- Export poster images, key art, and short teaser edits; store marketing assets alongside the main project for future use.
8. Workflow Tips & Best Practices
- Keep metadata consistent: scene, slate, take, lens, and camera are the foundations of organized media.
- Decide on naming conventions before production and enforce them across the team.
- Schedule buffer days for pickups and unforeseen delays; post-production always needs extra time.
- Use version control: append v01, v02 to major deliverables and keep clear change notes.
- Prioritize backups and data verification after each shooting day.
9. Example Timeline (4-week short film)
- Week 0: Finalize script, casting, initial scouting, project setup in MakeFilm TNG.
- Week 1: Rehearsals, detailed shotlist/storyboards, schedule & permits finalized.
- Week 2: Principal photography (4–6 shoot days), daily backups and dailies review.
- Week 3: Offline edit + temp sound/music; VFX and motion graphics work begins.
- Week 4: Final mix, color grade, review cycles, deliverables, and archive.
10. Checklist Summary
- Project brief & specs entered in MakeFilm TNG
- Script locked and scene breakdown completed
- Storyboards and shotlist uploaded
- Call sheets, permits, and insurance documented
- Daily backups (3-2-1) completed and logged
- Selects flagged and offline edit assembled
- Sound, VFX, and color completed with sign-offs
- Final masters exported, captions added, and archive saved
From script to screen, MakeFilm TNG can centralize files, notes, and approvals so teams move faster and stay aligned. Follow this plan, adapt for your project size and constraints, and use MakeFilm TNG’s organizational features to reduce friction across every production stage.
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