So you’ve got your idea. Maybe you’ve even got some form of the script already in place. What next?

Here’s the step-by-step plan for creating a film:

1: Create a great story and script

Read more: Build Your Development Roadmap

2: Pitch to producers, get a great producer onboard

Read more: What to do when film producers don’t accept unsolicited scripts

3: Work with the producer to finance the film

Read more: The best advice I’ve ever been given about pitching, financing and selling your films

4: Lock in a great team to help bring the film to life

Read more: 6 Steps to Rebuild Your Network

5: Pre-Production (get everything ready for production)

Read more: The Basics: 3 Essentials for Making Your Own Films

6: Production (this is generally when you get paid)

7: Post-Production (plus marketing to get people excited for the film)

8: Release the film (festivals, online etc)

Read more: What’s it like being a film festival judge?

9: Get as much buzz around the project so that you’ll have a flood of people asking you ‘what are you working on next?’ which will give you the opportunity to pitch your next project (and repeat steps 2-10)

10: Continue to create films as consistently as possible, so you keep building momentum around you and your work (this is what leads to bigger connections and opportunities)

This is the headlines-only version, for good reason

When you’re in the weeds of crafting a script, searching for producers or researching competitions and funds it’s so easy to take your eye off the long game

Every so often you need to pull back and remind yourself of the bird’s eye view to make sure your project isn’t getting stuck