Green Light
Official studio approval for a project to move into production with committed financing.
Definition
A green light is the formal approval from a studio or financier to proceed with production on a film or television project. It represents committed financing and authorization to hire cast, crew, and begin physical production.
Projects can spend years in development before receiving a green light, and many developed projects never advance to this stage.
Why It Matters
The green light transforms a project from speculation to reality. Understanding what triggers green lights—cast attachments, budget viability, market conditions—helps creators position projects for approval.
A green light represents millions in committed capital and irreversible momentum toward production.
Examples in Practice
A film receives its green light after securing a major star, dropping the budget to $60 million, and preselling international distribution.
The studio green lights a sequel immediately after the original's opening weekend exceeds projections.
A project loses its green light when the attached director departs over creative differences, returning to development limbo.