EVALUATION QUESTION

EVALUATION QUESTION                                        

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• 20 Marks
• No introduction required
• Only need a couple of sentences for a conclusion
• Evaluate - looking at the pros and cons and then making a final judgement (weighing out the pros and cons and making a final decision to use it or not)
• Question references pre-released brief
• "potential effectiveness" how helpful something would be
• three key elements of the question "Evaluate" "SWOT ANALYSIS" "247Me App" 
• Evaluate will always be there but the two other elements will change
• What is required: discuss strengths, weaknesses and what other documents could be used
• Examiner expects 2 pages and three paragraphs
• Will be a quarter of your marks
• Tests you on any creative or logistic documents
• SPaG (no bullet points)
• Always link back to the brief
• Need to have total 3 strengths and 3 weaknesses
• Your evaluation most have justification of content, suitability for purpose and suitability for audience

Strengths

• Point = Identify the strength of the document
• Example = Link to brief - how it would be used for that project
• Explain = Why is it the best tool for that job

Weaknesses

• Point = A paragraph to each identify weaknesses of the document 
• Example = Link to brief - how would it be used in that project
• Explain = Why is it a poor tool for the project
• Improve = Suggest a better tool and explain why
• Start with what the document actually is 

LOGISTICS PAPERWORK

CONCEPT ART, VISUALISATION DIAGRAMS, FLAT PLANS, PROTOTYPES, MOCK UPS

Concept art, visualisation diagrams, flat plans, prototypes, mock ups

Ideas Paperwork

Ideas Paperwork
very first stage of planning, typically 4 dependent on 3, 3 dependent on 2, 2 dependent on 1

Proposals

description: could be a written document or a presentation. kept as concise as possible. 
purpose and medium: used to sell the idea to a client/boss. the initial idea for a project not particularly developed. designed for all types of media. often presented as a pitch. 
key advice: be concise, use non-technical language (for clarity)
usually includes:

• target audience
• content ideas
• resource requirements
• costs outline 
• timescale outline

for all of these you must have ideas for it and explain how it would link to the brief.

Project outlines

description: initial document given to the members of the production team. includes enough detail so the team has an idea of what they're making.

purpose and medium: to give the production team a really basic idea of what they're making. used for all types of media. used as a basis for all other pre-production documents by the production team.

key advice: should be a one page document with information full with detail (no wasted words). would be more technical in its use of language. a project outline would include:

• details of narrative/content
• resources requirements
• budget limitations
• timeline of production

Treatments

description: contains a lot more detail than the project outline/proposal. exact

structure depends on medium.

purpose and medium: has two specific audiences:

• production team use it as a reference point. vital in large productions as communication might be hard - makes sure they don't go off track. Also basis for all other detailed pre-production documents.
• client/boss/investor to get a much better idea of what the finished project will be

used in all media.

key advice: more detail on all the elements you've already covered in prior documents (project outline/proposal criteria)

SWOT Analysis

description: a table to show strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. shows what a production is at currently and where it could end up

purpose and medium: produced early inn pre-production to assess what ideas are viable and what limitations the project might face in terms of resources and personnel. May also be pre-produced on a specific issue e.g. a location or casting a role.

key advice: be honest and have an open mind, include detail, get other opinions. 

LO1 REFLECT & PERFECT TASK

Unit 2 – Pre-production and planning skills LO1 test (Done with Sam & Ben w/ mark scheme)

1. Identify two costs that you may need to consider when developing a new phone app and explain how these costs impact on the projects.
2.     When making a phone app, there are a number of important factors that have to be considered, including costs. One of these costs is advertising. This is a very important cost to consider; reason being is that if one creates an app and puts a lot of money and effort into it however has no money left for advertising then it is a whole lot more difficult to get the app popular. Therefore considering advertising before other costs is important to make sure the app is purchased and used. A second cost is hiring a programmer to design the app and make it as perfect as it can be. Unless the person creating the app is already very knowledgeable with tech and programming then this will be a cost that would have to be made in order for the app to flourish. Hiring a programmer would affect the overall project as there would be less money to use for other areas.
3. 
   

   ·        Human Rights Act 1998 – impact relates to the stories they are able to write – is a story in the public interest?

•    Data Protection Act 1998 – when reporting on stories, journalists must not contain so many details in the article that the person can be found.

Copyright Act -

This would protect the newspapers name from copyright.

     3.    

         When working for a media company, 9 times out of 10 you will have to sign an Intellectual Property Rights form. This is required because if you are working for a media company and came up with a brilliant photograph, song or any type of media then without signing the form you could just run away with your work and the company you’re working for will have no rights for it at all. This is why media companies make you sign this form so you are legally entitled to give any work you produce to the company.

    4. 

        Must not confuse income (sponsorship, grants, backers) with revenue (money made by a business)

          One type of revenue stream that could be used is advertising on the website. The majority of websites that receive many visits have adverts on the boarders or bottom of the page to make that website profitable. This is an effective method as the advertiser is paying you for the site visits as people who view the website are seeing the adverts. Some advertisement companies only pay for the amount of clicks on the advert. On a popular website, many people click on the adverts by accident which still brings money in as well as the people who see the advert and actually look into it.

TIME SCALES AND PRODUCTION SCHEDULES

WORKING TO TIME SCALES ✌

Once the production has been planned the work needs to be divided into three sections:

• Pre-Production (planning)
• Production (obtaining your material e.g. photographing, recording, filming)
• Post-Production (editing stage)

What LO3 will be marked on in the exam

(things to consider when planning)

• Task allocation - WHO is doing each task (consider each team members specific skills and abilities.) 
• Scheduling - WHEN does each task need to be done and how long will each task take. 

1. Dependencies - where one task needs to be done before another can be completed or begun.
2. Milestones - checkpoints to ensure work is up to standard and on schedule.
3. Deadlines are essential to good management. 

• Resource Allocation - WHAT is required for each task (consider what equipment/resources are required for each task.)
• Report Creation - HOW have the team completed each task (ensuring the group is communicating well throughout and reflecting on how effectively the team is working together.) 

Why work to time scales?

• All media productions have a final deadline - so that the project can be distributed on time
• Deadlines also reduce costs - all people and resources on a media production cost money
• By planning effectively - using the guidance on the previous slide - the production company saves money and creates a smooth working environment
• When you read your brief in the exam, you need to establish what the key deadlines are, who in your team they affect the most, and what needs to be done by those deadlines 

• Pre-Production - during planning each individual task needs careful scheduling in a linear fashion - milestones are crucial here.
• examples of milestones, dependencies, contingencies:
• Production/Post-Production - the production needs to be monitored to ensure:

1. Individuals set targets within the team
2. Personnel, locations, props/costumes and equipment are booked well in advance
3. Regular meetings to ensure everyone is on task - milestones
4. Regular meetings with the client to ensure they are happy with that is being produced and allow for modifications 

What if things go wrong? Contingencies 

• A good project will always have a contingency. this includes:
• A back up location 
• A back up cast member
• Extra time allocated for tasks 
• Additional/replacement tasks if one doesn't work out 

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.