Greenlight
The official approval to proceed with full production, committing budget and resources to a project.
Definition
A greenlight is the formal decision to proceed with a production—committing the budget and resources needed to make a film or series. Getting greenlit means moving from development into pre-production, with financing secured and key elements in place.
Greenlight authority varies by budget level and studio structure. Lower-budget projects might be greenlit by division heads; tentpole films require C-suite or board approval. The greenlight represents a significant financial commitment and strategic bet.
Why It Matters
The greenlight is the critical milestone that separates "maybe" from "happening." Everything in development points toward this moment. Understanding what triggers greenlights helps creators package projects to maximize approval chances.
Greenlight decisions reflect studio strategies, competitive dynamics, and market conditions—factors creators should understand when pitching.
Examples in Practice
A star attachment triggers greenlight for a project that had languished without bankable talent.
A streaming platform greenlights an entire series sight-unseen based on creator track record and concept strength.
A passion project finally gets greenlit when its creator has enough leverage from recent hits to push it through.