Create a production company and production office. The production company usually consists of a producer or producers and any crew already on board. At this stage, it's the job of the producers to hire any additional crew needed to make the film, including the director and assistant director. The producer consults the production book during this time and adds entries as tasks for the project are determined.
Make early decisions about film locations and hire a location manager. The location manager, working with the director and/or assistant director, scouts for locations to shoot the film if it won't be shot on a sound stage. Location decisions are based on the requirements of the script. The location manager will shoot pictures or video of possible locations.
Hire a production designer and design the look of the film. The director and the production designer look at the script and make design decisions. The production designer works with the art director and costume designer, as well as the director of photography, to design the look of the film. Storyboards should be drawn as well as the concept art for the film.
Hold auditions for actors. After the production company is formed, a director, an assistant director, and a casting director are hired. Very often the casting of the movie is left only to the casting director(s). The director and casting director consult the script before auditions to determine what character types need to be cast from the acting pool. Casting professionals usually work with agencies to find actors unless the film is an independent film.
Hire the sound editor and composer. The former is responsible for the overall sound design of the film. This includes sound mixers and designers as well as the composer. Take sound to be used in preproduction sound design. The composer starts writing the score at this stage.