Unit 3: Production Research

1. Lauren Allard
UNIT 3 PR1: PRODUCTION RESEARCH

2. RECCE
A Reece (Location Recce) is when you scout the area of your chosen location, you gather information about your
chosen location. The location Recce has to be filled out during pre-production before filming starts, during the
planning of the project. The location Recce would contain images of the chosen location, of each area where you
will be filming. This helps the director decide of lighting, if the right lighting would work in this location or area.
Where to place the equipment, if the location has enough space.
For each location a Recce form needs to be filled out, taking photographs and videos of the area when it is
empty helps. Measurements of the chosen location would be needed in the Recce form if possible, for a floor
plan. In the Recce form it’s best to list out anything that cannot be removed that the crew and cast would have to
work around.
For example: This image is of an old
abandoned room, if someone was going
to film a short
film/documentary/film/advert etc. they
would have to take pictures and mark
things that they cannot remove that
they would have to work around,
• Window
• Hole in the floor
• Wires

3. LOCATION SCOUTING
A location scout is a role as one of the crew members in a production project. The location scout’s job is to find a
location that fits a scene perfectly for either a TV show, film or advert. The location scout uses the script that
would contain details of the ‘dream’ location and finds something similar that they can complete their stage of
production in.
Location scouting is finding the perfect location that matches the scene in the script. That the writer or writers
have created. Location scout’s often drive to the locations by themselves or with others to check out the chosen
location to make sure that the area is perfect for that scene in the project.
For example: For the film ‘The Woman In Black’ the
writer would hand over a copy of the script to the
location scout, who would research different
locations that match the description given to him/her.
The location scout would then go to the location and
scout the area, taking pictures or videos to take back
to the rest of the crew.
Location scouting is important when it comes to
producing any project in the media industry, for
documentaries, TV shows or films it has to be done.

4. EMAILS/LETTERS TO ORGANISATIONS AND
PROFESSIONALS OR EXPERTS IN YOUR
CHOSEN FIELD.
In order to start any media project, the producer would need to take care of some of the basics. The producer
would need to arrange transport, they would have to send emails to arrange the transport needed.
For projects like documentaries the producer would have to send some emails and letters for gather some
professionals that know information and facts about the main topic that would be featured in the documentary.
For example the TV show Most Haunted
investigates the supernatural in some of the most
haunted buildings. The show is classed as a
reality/Documentary. The producer of the show
would have to email experts that have information
that can be delivered in the show. The producer
would have to arrange transportation and
equipment, clothes, catering. They would have to
emails or letters to the experts and the owner of the
buildings to get permission to film in this location,
and to feature their information on the show. They
would sometimes ask the experts to feature in the
show to help film the show/documentary when using
the location

5. EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES
In order for this project to be produced and aired to be viewed by the public it has to be
promoted by an employment agency. The employment agencies promote the project to
grab the attention of people who are looking for a job in this business. This helps gather
a team together to make the production bigger and better.
The Guardian is a media based
newspaper aimed at people who are in
or hope to be in the media industry. The
Guardian promotes job opportunities for
people who are looking for work in
different media sectors.

6. TREATMENT
A treatment is a short story narrative written in simple non technical language (e.g. Camera
angles, transitions etc.).
The treatment evokes on how the audience will experience the film (production) when it is on
the screen, writing in the active-voice in present tense. Tell the reader what they see, hear and
feel on screen. Describe the story and introduce the characters. Write the story and add detail
and description so that it helps the other members of the crew create the rest of the
production, the more detail added into the treatment the easier it is for the reader.

7. LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS
Copyright: Copyright is a big issue in the media industry. Legal protection is advised so that
someone else cannot use their product in their name, classing it as theirs. Technically stealing
their media product.
Health And Safety: Health and Safety is important in the media industry, especially parts of
the industry that require equipment. For example – In the film and TV industry a risk
assessment has to be completed, noting all the health and safety risks and how the issues
certain things will cause can be prevented.
Employers Rights: All employees in the company all have employers rights, which have to
be taken into account by the employer. These rights include: Pay sick Leave, Request breaks,
Training Time. And many more.
Harm and Offense: TV producers are responsible on protecting children and other viewers
from unsuitable content that would appear during the broadcast of a TV show.

8. MARKET RESEARCH
The collection and Analysis of information about the market within the product, the researcher
is in. For example: If a Producer was creating a new radio station, he/she would have to
research into other radio stations that have a high percentage of listeners daily. The producer
would look at the radio stations and find out what makes it so popular and well known. The
presenters? The music? The content? The USP?.
This market research would help the producer with his/her own product inside of the market.
This would help the Producer when it comes to avoiding copyright, and any other legal issues.
Example of Researching into
other companies in the
same market, and sector.