Filmmaking- An Agile Playground

In today’s fast-paced world, flexibility and adaptability are crucial—not just in technology but also in various industries and everyday life, including film production.  Bollywood and Hollywood are two of the biggest film industries globally, and their success is not an easy thing for anyone to get —behind the scenes, these industries are surprisingly Agile. From script changes to budget shifts, situations like COVID they continuously adapt to changing circumstances, making them prime examples of Agile in action.

Let’s see here how Bollywood and Hollywood include Agile principles and some interesting facts about their adaptable filmmaking processes.

1. Iterative Development: The Script and Storytelling

• In Agile, projects are divided into iterations or sprints, during which certain functionalities or features are developed, tested, and refined. In filmmaking, this is seen in the iterative development of the script. 
• Hollywood: A screenplay often goes through numerous drafts, involving feedback from directors, producers, and sometimes even actors. Films like The Godfather underwent continuous rewriting to perfect the storyline by Mario Puzo and Francis Ford Coppola (Ironically, the 2nd version of a short two-hour cut of the film pleased no one, and studio chief Robert Evans oversaw a re-revised cut that put the footage back, coming out at a little under three hours.). Rogue One: A Star Wars Story is another excellent example where multiple iterations and even re-shoots shaped the final product even ‘The Rogue One’ Director Says ‘There Is So Much Inaccuracy’ Surrounding the Making of ‘Star Wars’ Prequel: ‘We All Worked Together Until the Entire Last Minute’ 
• Bollywood: In Bollywood, directors like Rajkumar Hirani are known for revising scripts during shooting based on actor feedback, audience reactions (from pre-release screenings), or even market shifts. Movies like 3 Idiots saw significant rewrites during production to suit changing audience tastes.

Interesting Fact: It’s not uncommon for Hollywood movies to have multiple versions of a script floating around even after the principal shooting starts, as studios often push for last-minute changes based on emerging trends or market data—just like an Agile team responding to evolving requirements during a sprint!

2. Flexible Teams: Changing Casts, Directors, and Writers

• Agile emphasizes cross-functional teams where members work collaboratively and can take on various roles. This flexibility is mirrored in filmmaking when directors, actors, and writers are switched mid-production. 
• Hollywood: One of the most famous examples is the Justice League. Halfway through production, Zack Snyder left the project due to personal reasons, and Joss Whedon took over. Despite this shift, the project adapted, although the outcome had mixed reactions. Still, the ability to adapt swiftly is quintessentially Agile. 
• Bollywood: In the Bollywood classic Sholay, Danny Denzongpa was originally cast as the iconic villain Gabbar Singh. However, due to scheduling conflicts, he was replaced by Amjad Khan—who immortalized the role. The team adapted to this change quickly, illustrating the Agile ability to adjust team roles based on availability and skill sets.

Interesting Fact: Actors often exit projects due to creative differences or scheduling issues, just like team members might shift to Agile teams due to changing project requirements. Yet, the flexibility to onboard new members and still meet deadlines is a core Agile trait.

3. Responding to Change: Market Trends and Audience Reactions

Responding to Change

Agile’s principle of responding to change over following a plan is mirrored by the way film industries react to evolving trends and audience feedback.

• Hollywood: When Sonic the Hedgehog first released its trailer, fans were vocal about their displeasure with Sonic’s design. Instead of pushing ahead with the original plan, the creators took an Agile approach, delayed the film, and redesigned the character based on feedback—leading to a more successful release. 
• Bollywood: Bollywood filmmakers often incorporate scenes or songs late into production if the initial reception of the trailer or music launch doesn’t meet expectations. A great example is Karan Johar’s Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna, where additional scenes were shot after early reviews from private screenings suggested emotional depth was lacking.

Interesting Fact: Post-production changes like CGI adjustments or adding additional scenes due to fan reactions are common in both industries, showcasing their Agile approach to adapting based on real-time feedback.

4. MVP (Minimum Viable Product) Approach: Sequels and Franchise Building

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  MVP (Minimum Viable Product) Approach: Sequels and Franchise Building

  In Agile, delivering a minimum viable product (MVP) is crucial, where an early version of the product is released with enough features to satisfy initial users while gathering feedback for future improvements. In filmmaking, this is akin to how franchises develop.

• Hollywood: The Fast & Furious franchise began as a relatively small action film, but based on its success and audience demand, it evolved into one of the largest film franchises ever, with each movie building on the feedback and success of its predecessor. 
• Bollywood: Similarly, Dhoom, which started as a modest action film, became a significant franchise with each successive release based on audience excitement and market trends.

Interesting Fact: Studios often greenlight sequels based on the MVP approach, where they wait to see the reception of the first film before investing in a larger, more feature-rich sequel—just like Agile teams iteratively develop software based on user feedback.

5. User Stories: Understanding Audience Needs

User Story

• Agile thrives on user stories, where developers consider the end-user’s needs and build functionalities accordingly. In filmmaking, this translates to understanding and catering to the audience’s expectations. 
• Hollywood: The success of superhero films like Avengers is tied to how filmmakers understand the audience’s emotional investment in characters and the storyline. This is why audience feedback is constantly sought through test screenings and market research. 
• Bollywood: Audience tastes in India have shifted towards more content-driven cinema, and filmmakers are responding accordingly. Directors like Anurag Kashyap are experimenting with unconventional storytelling, keeping the modern viewer’s preferences in mind.
  
  • In his words Well, never be afraid. One thing I’ve learned in this industry after all these years is no one knows anything –  Anurag Kashyap

Interesting Fact: Focus groups and early test screenings are just like user acceptance testing (UAT) in Agile software development, where filmmakers collect feedback to iterate and make necessary changes before the final release.

Read More: Requirement Gathering: A Simple Guide for Software Development

6. Collaboration Over Contracts: The Film Crew Ecosystem

The Film Crew Ecosystem

• Agile places value on collaboration over contract negotiation and this is seen in the collaborative spirit that drives filmmaking. 
• Hollywood: Large-scale productions like Avatar rely on intense collaboration between visual effects teams, actors, and directors across the globe. This spirit of constant communication, much like Agile’s daily stand-ups, ensures that despite geographical distances, everyone is on the same page.
  • The original film was around 70 to 75% computer generated but for this sequel, that percentage is said to be 90%. 
• Bollywood: Bollywood films with intricate song-and-dance sequences require immense coordination between choreographers, directors, musicians, and actors. This cross-functional collaboration enables stunning sequences that often become the film’s highlight.

Interesting Fact: The sense of unity and collaboration among a film’s cast and crew is a reflection of how Agile teams thrive on open communication and collective problem-solving, ensuring projects stay on course despite challenges.

Conclusion: The Agile Way of Filmmaking

Both Bollywood and Hollywood have mastered the art of adapting, iterating, and continuously improving throughout the filmmaking process. Whether it’s the changing trends in audience preferences, team dynamics, or market shifts, these industries showcase Agile principles in action. Filmmaking, like Agile development, is about collaboration, flexibility, and learning from feedback, ultimately delivering a product (or movie) that resonates with its users (the audience).