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1. Creative Production Briefs
A creative production brief provides an individual with details relating to the
requirements and goals of a specific project. There are a number of different
types of creative production briefs: contractual, negotiated, formal, informal,
commission, tender, co-operative and competition.
Contractual Brief
"Involves a signed agreement with stated objectives. If you or the other party were to
break any agreements you would be in breech of contract and could face legal
action"
http://www.answers.com/Q/Identify_the_different_types_of_briefs_used_in_the_medi
a_industries
My understanding of a contractual brief is that the client will have a clear
understanding of what they want to achieve and the brief itself will provide an
employer with a clear set of guidelines stating exactly what the client wants
and expects from them. By agreeing to take the job and signing the contract
you must stick to what the brief tells you to do.
If I were to be hired to produce a small film for a specific company under a
contractual brief there would be a number of self development opportunities
for myself. Communication between me and the client would be vital due to
the fact that I would be working under specific guidelines set by themselves.
Therefore I would have to have regular contact with the client either daily or at
least every few days, to ensure that the work I am producing meets their
specific needs. The most appropriate methods of communication would be a
variety of emails, telephone conversations and face to face conversations to
keep the client up to date with the on going project. This frequent
communication would enhance my own communication skills and confidence
when speaking. This particular brief would also greatly improve my time
management skills due to the fact that I would be expected to constantly meet
the deadlines set by the client, ensuring that all the pre production, production
and post production is completed within the time scale set by the client. In
terms of technical skills, I already be expected to have some knowledge
relating to both the hardware such as cameras and the editing software
needed for this particular project, however the constant use of these would
greatly improve my knowledge of both the hardware and software needed to
produce a short film. Working under this particular brief would also be
beneficial to my career progress, if I completed the project to the clients needs
then that would encourage other clients to hire me under a contractual brief.

2. Negotiated Brief
"This is when two parties have different ideas from each other but they both have to
come to a decision by compromising and making sure that both the parties are
happy by the decision"
http://www.answers.com/Q/What_is_a_negotiated_brief
My understanding of a negotiated brief is when both the client and employer
will negotiate and discuss any different ideas they may have relating to a
specific project and then therefore come to an agreement which both the
client and employer are happy with in contrast to the previous type of brief
which I looked at, the contractual brief in which the employer has to follow
specific guidelines set by the client.
If I were to be hired to help produce a radio show under a negotiated brief,
communication would be very important due to the fact that I would not only
have to be able to express my own ideas, but take into consideration the
ideas of the client before coming to an agreement which suits both of us.
Therefore I would have to have regular daily contact with the client to ensure
that there are no disagreements using methods such as telephone
conversations, emails and face to face encounters. In terms of time
management working under a negotiated brief would involve creating a time
scale that suits both the client and me as an employer, agreeing on who
should do which task and when. Another self developing opportunity working
to a negotiated brief would be technical skills due to the fact that this particular
brief would involve working with a group of people, all of which may have
stronger skills in different areas off radio production, whether this is hardware
or software therefore I would be able to use their knowledge to gain a better
understanding in areas which I may not be as familiar. This brief will also be
beneficial to my career progress because if I was to complete the project
successfully and both my communication and time management skills were to
a good standard it would encourage alongside the experience of working as a
team effectively, it would encourage other clients to offer me jobs under this
particular brief.
Formal
"A formal written document containing specific and precise details about the goals
that needs to be achieved. The brief gets straight to the point and doesn't contain
any unnecessary detail or information"
http://www.answers.com/Q/what_is_a_formal_brief
My understanding of a formal brief is that they are a lot more professional and
as an employer you have no control and must stick to exactly what the brief
says. A formal brief will be very clear on what needs to be achieved and will
thoroughly explain what the project is, what you are expected to do and may
also even provide instructions on how they expect you to achieve this.

3. If I was hired to conduct a photo shoot under a formal brief, in terms of
communication; again I would have to have regular contact with the client to
ensure that I am sticking to the brief and meeting their needs, I would also
conduct myself in a more professional manner, this would enhance my
communication skills in situations where I would be expected to be more
professional. I would have to have good time management skills in order to
meet the deadlines set by the client, therefore ensuring that I create a
thorough production schedule. Again my technical skills will be improved due
to being more familiar with the hardware such as cameras and software such
as Photoshop. It will also be beneficial to my career progression due to the
fact that I would be more experienced working for a more strict and
professional brief, therefore encouraging other clients to hire me under this
particular type of brief.
Informal
"More of a verbal agreement between parties with nothing official or in writing, less
formal so to speak"
http://www.answers.com/Q/Identify_the_different_types_of_briefs_used_in_the_medi
a_industries
My understanding of an informal brief is that it is completely different to the
previous formal type of brief which I previously explained and the employee
will be more free to express their opinions relating to the project. Unlike typical
written briefs, an informal brief will outline the specific project verbally through
a conversation between the client and employee, Therefore it is a lot more
casual in contrast to other types of briefs which I have looked at.
If I were to be hired to create an animation under an informal brief, I would
ensure that I was completely aware of what the client expects from me and
wants to achieve. In terms of communication throughout the project, I feel that
working under this particular brief would not involve as regular contact with
the client as the previous types of briefs I have looked at and I would probably
communicate with the client once a week just to keep them up to date with the
ongoing project and to ensure that it meets their needs. In terms of time
management I would confirm with the client when they want the project to be
finished and then use my time management skills to develop a production
schedule. Again I would be expected to have some knowledge of the
hardware and software needed to create an animation, however the constant
use throughout the project will make me a lot more familiar with these,
therefore enhancing my technical skills. Also it will contribute to my career
progression due to the fact it will encourage other clients to hire me under an
informal brief.

4. Commission
"A Commission brief is when a large media company hires an independent media
company to work and create the product for their Advantages"
http://www.slideshare.net/cikkikay2/working-to-a-brief-proforma
My understanding of a commission brief is when an independent company is
hired by a larger company in order to produce a specific thing, which the
larger company can then use, paying the independent company royalties.
If I was to be hired under a commission brief to create a film I would have to
communicate with the larger company at the beginning of the project to
ensure I am aware of the companies needs through communication methods
such as telephone or email, or more effectively a face to face meeting where I
could verbally express my ideas, this would be a self development opportunity
as it would increase both my communication skills and confidence. Once the
larger company had agreed to commissioning me, I would need to have
minimal contact with the larger company during the production process until
the film was complete, unlike other types of briefs, due to me working for an
independent company. In terms of time management I would have to spend at
least 5 days a week working on the project due to it being a film, as well as
ensuring that I create a thorough production schedule. I would already be
expected to have some knowledge regarding the technical skills involved
when producing a film, however the constant use of both the hardware and
software will increase my overall technical skills. This particular brief would be
a really good self development opportunity due to the fact that a larger media
company would be commissioning my work, therefore if the film was
successful it would encourage other larger media companies to commission
me.
Tender
"The production company might find out someone is looking for a video. They put
together a brief with a proposal and a budget and send it to the potential client"
http://www.answers.com/Q/Identify_the_different_types_of_briefs_used_in_the_medi
a_industries
My understanding of a tender production brief is that an employee will be
aware of someone who is looking to create a specific media product, then a
person who is willing to produce this product will then put together their ideas
and a brief, send it to the potential client and the potential client will then
decide whether or not they wish to hire that person to produce the media
product they want to achieve. I feel that this brief allows the employee to have
full control over the production of the project, unlike previous types of briefs I
have looked at, due to the fact that the employee will pitch their own ideas to
the client and if the client is happy, the employee will then have full control
over the production process also.

5. If I was to be hired to create a music video for a client under a tender brief, I
would have to communicate with the client through a range of communication
methods including telephone, emails and face to face conversations during
the beginning of the project when proposing my ideas and plans, once the
client had agreed to employ me, I would have a weekly face to face
conversation with them to keep them updated with the ongoing project. In
terms of time management I would spend at least 4-5 days a week working on
the project, again ensuring that I created a production schedule which was
suitable for both me and the client. Again my technical skills would be
improved as i would become more familiar with both the hardware and
software needed to produce a music video. This particular type of brief would
also be beneficial to my career progress to due the fact if it was successful it
would encourage other people to hire me under a tender brief, therefore
creating a wider range of job opportunities for me.
Co-operative
"you work alongside other production companies or organisations who also have a
brief therefore your brief has to co-operate with the brief they are working on as well"
http://www.answers.com/Q/Identify_the_different_types_of_briefs_used_in_the_medi
a_industries
My understanding of a co-operative brief is that a client will hire more than
one production company to produce a specific media product, therefore these
two companies will have to work alongside each other to ensure that the
project is completed successfully and meets the need of the client.
If I was hired by a client to produce a film trailer under a co-operative brief,
communication would be vital due to the fact that not only would I keep the
client up dated with the ongoing process, but I would also have to have daily
communication through a variety of communication methods, but mostly face
to face meetings with the other production company I would be working
alongside. I would have to have good communication skills in order to solve
any disagreement or conflict between the two production companies. In terms
of time management I would have to negotiate with the other production
company and the client to produce a production time scale and schedule
which suits all three parties. Again this particular type of brief will increase my
technical skills due to the interaction with a variety of people from different
production companies who may have more knowledge relating to different
aspects of creating a film trailer. Also it will enhance my career progression
due to the fact that it will encourage more clients to hire me under a co-
operative brief.

6. Competition
"A brief which is created in order to be accessible to all of the production companies
which are participating in creating a project/product. All of the finished projects
created by these companies are judged, and the most impressive one is crowned
winner"
http://www.slideshare.net/veggieburgers4lyf/different-types-of-brief-16919081
My understanding of a competition brief is that it is like any competition. A
company will decide on a media product they wish to create, they will then
create and advertise a brief therefore allowing anyone to create the specific
media product for the company, they will then send the finished product to the
company which will then select their favourite entry which will therefore be
published.
If I was to enter a competition for a new TV commercial, I would have
complete control over all aspects of the production, and would have no
communication with the client unless my entry won. In terms of time
management i would have to create a production schedule ensuring that the
final product was finished and sent to the client before the competition closing
date. my technical skills would be improved due to the use of both the
hardware and software needed to create a TV commercial and finally in terms
of career progress this particular type of brief will be beneficial if my TV
commercial was to win due to it being published and therefore encouraging
other clients to hire me to create TV commercials, and even if I did not win,
the increase of technical skills and overall experience may increase job
opportunities.
Below I have gathered and annotated a couple of different types of
briefs;
Competition Brief
Below is a prime example of a competition brief, this is advertised on the BBC
Three website and informs everyone that BBC Three are looking for short
films to be produced, it then states that some films will be published on the
BBC Fresh website.

7. Who is the client?
the client for this
particular brief is
BBC - Fresh Online.
What media
product does the
client require?
The client is looking
for short films to give
an insight on what is
important to young
people now.
Who is the intended
target audience of
the product?
The intended target
audience is young
people aged
between 16 - 35 due
to the fact that this is
the target audience
for this specific
channel therefore the
films should contain
storylines which will
appeal to this
demographic
What constraints
do you have to
work within?
Their is no budget for
this particular brief
as the brief states
that entry is at your
own expense and
that no fee and no
expenses will be
paid. And the length of the product must be between 2 and 10 minutes long.

8. What are the legal and ethical issues relating to the production?
The brief
explains that
there must not
be offensive,
defamatory or
contravenes
another
persons right to
privacy. It also
states that you
need to ensure
that you have
obtained
permission
from all the people who appear within your film, as well as providing evidence
that you have obtained the right to use any music within your film. If these
terms and conditions are not met it could result in legal and ethical issues.
Commissioning Brief
ITV TV Network have a website dedicated to commissioning, which provides
independent production companies with briefs explaining what they are
looking for. http://www.itv.com/commissioning.
Below is an example of one of these briefs, relating to TV Drama's;
Who is the client?
The client for this particular
brief is ITV TV network
What media product does
the client require?
This particular brief is very
broad in terms of what the
client requires. It clearly
states that they require clear
ideas, by the best writers for
TV dramas, however it also
states that they are looking
for ideas of all shapes and
sizes and although their priority is finding returnable series, they also need
two, three, four parters and one-off films for bank holiday specials.

9. What is the timescale to
deliver the project?
There is no specific timescale
to deliver this project.
Who is the intended target
audience of the product?
Again the target audience for
this brief is very broad due to
the fact that the brief clearly
states that they create
drama's for a broad,
heartland audience. The brief
also states that their are also
opportunities for series on
ITV2 however these need to
be comedy drama, younger
skewing and non genre.
What constraints do you have to work within?
This brief provides the independent company with no constraints, their isn't a
specific time length for the drama's, no budget and no format. However it
does state that if you would like to produce a drama for ITV2 these must be
comedy drama, young skewing and non genre.
What are the legal and ethical issues relating to the production?
Like any type of brief you work under, legal and ethical issues relating to the
production would include copy right and obtaining permission from the
relevant people.
As you can see from the example above, this particular type of brief will
explain what the client requires; in this case TV drama's however it leaves the
independent production company in full control regarding ideas and
production, hence the broad target audience, constraints and time scale. The
details of how to submit these ideas are then provided so that the client can
make a decision regarding whether or not they wish to commission this idea.