Like any industry there are best practices. Its good to follow the studio system, even if you will never be a part of it they have developed these systems for a reason and you have to learn how they work before you go trying to disrupt them.
There is a lot that goes into making a movie, and some of these things happen simultaneously but the basic steps are:
A properly formatted script is finished, the scenes are numbered.
From a script read a budget estimate is assembled by the Producer. (at this point development and fundraising starts)
Once the budget is raised a corporation is established.
A break down of the script is done by the UPM/ Line Producer using breakdown sheets. (start of pre-production, once budget has been raised)
From the breakdown a Line Budget is created by the UPM/ Line Producer. Cast/ scene number and location/ scene number breakdowns are created.
From the breakdown Strips and a production board are created by the Assistant Directors.
From the script the director prepares a shot list which lists every shot that will be in the film. The DP will add in technical details, what exactly is done by the director and DP depends on the working relationship established.
From the shot list story boards are created.
Locations are scouted, scout reports are assembled, then options are chosen and technical scouts are done. Locations are finalized and locked.
A shooting schedule is made by the ADs.
Insurance is arranged and purchased.
Union paper work and deposits turned in.
A big, long production meeting will all department heads, ADs, and post production heads. Technical details are hashed out and pipelines established.
A script supervisor times the script and does their own break down which differs form the UPM/LP and ADs as it is focused on the number of days in the story and not the number of days it will take to shoot the story.
Department heads do their script break downs, assemble their crew and gear requests.
Table reads and rehearsals are held with the actors.
Permits are filed.
The ADs create call sheets with all of the necessary info for the shooting day, this is done daily. (Entering principal photography)
Block, light, rehearse, tweak, shoot, strike, repeat.
Camera, sound, and script reports are made for every take. Good takes are marked on every report.
Each department generates reports about allocation of their resources for production and accounting.
Digital data or negative film is transported to post houses for processing by a Runner/ PA as it is created.
Dailies are reviewed.
Wrap party! (end principal photography)
The footage is ingested by an Assistant Editor, the reports generated during production are used heavily.
Any ADR that is needed is done. Foley and sound effects are created.
The film is edited together, and the edits are reviewed and discussed. Again, reports generated on set are crucial to the process.
VFX work is done.
An edit is made to a temp soundtrack.
A score and/ or soundtrack is created
The picture is married to the score.
Color grading is done.
The final, colored, mastered, and scored film is assembled.
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Profit.
Color grading