Project Management

Making Project Management Decisions 

four key considerations we need to think about when planning an effective media project: 

• budget and finance
• time
• personnel
• research into pre-production

Logistics - complex process of organising resources for production. 
This includes getting:

• personnel - issue between two groups, person in charge has to sort it out 
• props
• production equipment
• locations
• transportation - moving equipment from different sets
• care on location 

the production company must not only get the resources, but they need them for the right time and for the best value possible

Daily planner/call sheet 

• Used everyday on production
• Ensures everyone on set know what the goals for the day are, where they're based, when they're required to be there and what each individuals role is
• Helpful because it clarifies goals for day in one, simple sheet which can be circulated amongst everyone
• Lists all resources and logistical details as well as creative aims (e.g. shot numbers to be filmed that day)

Types of forms

• Individual Release Form - for individuals working on a project, to sign over the rights to their work and/or intellectual property. Often in an employment contract.
• Consent Form - for all people who appear in production (the actors employed for the project or member of the public who are perhaps in the background, but with a visible face or audible voice). Under 18's require permission from a guardian
• Location Form - for all locations used in the film a form must be completed to not only grant access but also to appear on camera. Some buildings are subject to copyright law, which makes this form even more important.

Project management tools

Simply a tool which allows a production company to co-ordinate the smooth operation of all resources on a media project. There are split into three key categories:

• Spreadsheet
• Production Schedule
• Project management software/web app
• To-do list

Workflow tool - split by team member so it is clear who is doing what, when
pros

• easily customisable 
• basic workflows can be implemented
• quick to implement low complexity workflows

cons

• limited configuration options
• difficult to apply to different environments

Gantt chart - designed by mechanical engineer Henry Gantt in 1910, the Gantt chart has had a relatively long run as project management tool. A Gantt chats used horizontal bars to illustrate project completion dates, progress, and milestones and dependencies.
pros

• simple to understand and easy to change
• see overlapping and parallel tasks 
• see status of each task at any point in time

cons

• no linkage or network interdependence
• difficult to show critical path
• unable to tell if the project is on time for highly dependent projects

Production Schedule - timetable, which looks like a calendar. Easy to allocate resources and especially time. Easy to refer to and update. Very useful to establish linear nature of project and understand dependencies.
pros

• easy to allocate resources and time
• easy to refer to and update
• very useful to establish nature of project and understand dependencies

cons

• hard to vision group tasks
• quite inflexible - hassle to modify it

Project Management Software Web Apps (Film and TV)

WHAT IS YAMDU?

Yamdu is a web application combining the individual tools for all departments and stages of a film production.

WHO IS YAMDU AIMED AT?

Yamdu is the central platform aimed for all crew members. It targets universities and film schools, smaller companies who won't have as many project and larger companies who would have much more projects.

WHAT FEATURES ARE OFFERED BY YAMDU?

Yamdu provides information in a fast, simple and efficient way. Features involve:

• announcements
• crew management
• project calendars
• breakdowns
• production scheduling
• financing
• call sheets
• makeup and costumes
• location scouting
• and many more

HOW IS IT SPECIFICALLY TAILORED TO FILM AND TV PRODUCTION?

Yamdu makes the most of your data and ensures efficient team work. It saves the time and effort by avoiding redundancies and mistakes and keeps an eye on all your projects. It helps you master your film production management.

HOW MUCH DOES THE SERVICE COST AND WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN PRICE PLANS?

• The service ranges from 0-499€
• You can either pay per project which is aimed at students and costs 5€
• For universities or film school specialising in this are encouraged to use the studio university plan which costs 99€ and provides unlimited projects and users
• The studio package is the most expensive at 499€ and provides 750GB storage unlimited projects and users and all features.

SWOT ANALYSIS:

Strengths - covers all criteria needed to be a successful service. (aims different purchases for different groups of people who would use it.)

Its unique selling proposition is to provide a large variety of tools that help all departments be able to make a well-structured and planned out project. (considers a companies organisation as a focus to help them improve with it).

Weaknesses - A more clearer, well introduced website. (Providing tutorials to navigate new users around the website)

Provide examples of sophisticated teams that have used it and how.