1. Brief
The brand or agency explains the objective, audience, key message, mandatories, budget range, timeline and where the film will run.
2. Script and storyboard
The creative idea is written as a script and visualised as a storyboard or animatic, and approved by the brand.
3. Director's treatment and budget
The director presents a treatment covering tone, casting, look, references and approach, and the production house shares a line-item budget and schedule.
4. Pre-production
Casting sessions, location recces or set design, wardrobe and props, crew and equipment bookings, permissions, and a detailed shot list and schedule.
5. Pre-production meeting (PPM)
Brand, agency, director and producer review and lock every element: cast, wardrobe, locations or sets, props, product, shot list and timings. A good PPM prevents surprises on set.
6. Shoot
The director and crew execute the plan, with agency and client approvals on monitor. The producer manages time, cost and safety.
7. Post-production
Offline edit, client feedback rounds, colour grading, VFX and graphics, sound design, music and voice-over, final mix and online conform.
8. Delivery
Masters in every duration (for example 60, 30, 20, 15 and 10 seconds), aspect ratio and language version, quality-checked to broadcaster and platform specifications.
Typical TVC timeline
From an approved script: about one to two weeks of pre-production, one to three shoot days, and one to three weeks of post-production, depending on VFX and approvals.