How a commission runs
Our film production process, stage by stage
You will always know what happens next. Five stages, named review gates rather than continuous access, and a written status every week whether or not there is news.
1. Brief and scope
We read your brief, send back the questions that matter, and agree the deliverable in writing before anyone quotes anything. A reference film you love is the fastest way to show us what you mean.
2. Proposal and agreement
You receive clear options rather than a single take-it-or-leave-it number, then a written work order. Work begins when the advance clears, as is our policy for every new client.
3. Development
Script, storyboard, visual references and voice are approved before a frame is produced, because that is where a film is cheapest to change. You give one consolidated round of feedback at each step.
4. Production
Animation or shoot, visual effects, music and sound. You review at named gates: script lock, storyboard lock, animatic, first cut and final. A change after a lock comes with its price and date impact stated in the same message.
5. Delivery
The final master in every format and language you need, on the date we agree. Usage rights are set out in writing and released on full payment.
The principle behind our film production process
The more creative latitude a film has, the better it can be for the money: if we can solve a moment beautifully in one way rather than force it in another, you get the saving.
We guarantee the process and the delivery date. We never promise views, reach or revenue, because no honest studio can.
Questions about the film production process
How long does the film production process take?
It depends on the film. A short animated or live-action video can take a few weeks from brief to delivery; a feature takes months or longer. The schedule for each stage is set out in the proposal and agreed in writing, so you know the delivery date before work begins.
Do I need a finished script to start?
No. Many projects start with an idea, a product or a piece of music. Script and storyboard are part of development, and the studio writes them if you do not have them. If you do have a script, it is read first and you are told honestly what it needs.
When do I review the work?
At the end of each stage, before the next one begins. Changes are easiest early, so your decisions are asked for at the script and storyboard stage, before production starts.
Is the process the same for animation and live action?
Yes. The five stages are the same; what changes is production. In animation, production means designing, animating and compositing; in live action it means casting, locations and the shoot. Post-production, music and delivery follow the same path for both.
Can I see films made this way?
Yes. The films page and the TD Film Studio YouTube channel show finished work made through this process.
Is there a written agreement?
Yes. Every commission runs on a written agreement that sets out the deliverable, the schedule and the terms before work begins.
Who works on my film?
The director carries the film through every stage, from brief to delivery, so the person you brief is the person who answers at each review.
What do I receive at delivery?
The final master in the formats agreed in the proposal, with subtitles and other versions if they were part of the brief.