How Movies Are Made: fun facts and quiz

Films go through development (the script), pre-production (casting and planning), production (filming) and post-production (editing, sound and effects).

Key fact
Post-production can take longer than filming.

The director shapes the film’s vision, the cinematographer handles the camera and lighting, and hundreds of crew build sets, costumes and sound.

Key fact
Big films can have over a thousand people in the credits.

Films are still images shown fast enough to look like motion. Cinema has used 24 frames per second since the arrival of sound.

Key fact
Your brain blends the frames into smooth movement.

Much of a film’s sound is added later. Foley artists recreate footsteps, doors and punches in a studio, often with surprising objects.

Key fact
Snapping celery is a classic Foley trick for breaking bones.

Visual effects blend real footage with computer images. Actors often perform in front of green screens, which are replaced later with digital worlds.

Key fact
Green is used because it’s far from skin tones.

Stunt performers do dangerous scenes safely, with training, wires and careful planning. Some films still prefer real, practical effects to digital ones.

Key fact
Tom Cruise really climbed the Burj Khalifa for a Mission: Impossible film.

Big films can cost over 200 million dollars to make, plus marketing. Avatar (2009) is the highest-grossing film ever, at around 2.9 billion dollars.

Key fact
Marketing can cost almost as much as making the film.