Movie production is the process of making a motion picture. It begins with the development of a script, which is then used to raise money and hire a cast and crew. Once the film is financed, the pre-production phase begins, during which the director, cinematographer, and production designer work together to create a visual style for the film and scout locations. Principal photography, or the main shooting of the film, then begins. Once filming is complete, the film enters post-production, during which the footage is edited, sound effects and music are added, and special effects are created. The final step is distribution, which involves releasing the film to theaters or streaming services.