1. PRODUCTION
MANAGEMENT
STAGE 1
IDEA GENERATION
& RESEARCH
YOUR NAME HERE
YOU SHOULD USE THIS TO STRUCTURE YOUR STAG 1
RESPONSE. ADD SLIDES WHERE NECESSARY AND
ILLUSTRATIONS. ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS CLICK ON THE
BOX UNDER THE QUESTION/INFO!
4. YOUR IDEA
Explain why you have chosen your particular idea, this could be for a specific reason or
a combination of reasons, all specific to you. Provide as much detail as possible.
I chose to centre my film around domestic violence as I feel that plots with more serious
themes are he most compelling, I went through many different concepts with this idea
such as, murder or war but I chose domestic because as well as it being a compelling
subject its also a lot more rational when thinking about my time and budget, as I only
really need two actors and its something that happens in everyday life meaning I wont
need a substantial amount of props or complicated special effects. Also I feel that sadly
domestic violence is an issue that a lot of people can relate to in some shape or form,
meaning they’ll be able to engage with my film on a personal level. I think that making a
film that brings more attention to a serious social issue such as this is good as it makes
people think more about some things they may turn a blind eye to in real life situations
and make them do the right thing themselves. As for myself I think that making a film
with a distressing social message is a really productive way of using the art of film,
films that are more psychologically demanding seem to stick with me psychologically
and emotionally, which is the kind of effect I am hoping to produce. I have chosen to
have my film in black and white as I feel that the different shades and contrasts that are
captured in a monochrome setting make for a really effective frame. I have also chosen
to have no dialogue in my film, due to the fact that it is an amateur production in which I
will be using amateur actors and poorly executed dialogue can often ruin a
performance. In the absence of dialogue I intend to have the song 'Bang Bang' by
Nancey Sinatra play throughout the film.
5. PRIMARY TARGET
AUDIENCE RESEARCH
You MUST conduct a questionnaire/survey/interview or a combination of all three. Summarise this and
add in any other primary research you feel is appropriate
Primary research is defined as research that one conducts themselves through methods such as
surveys, questionnaires or interviews. For my primary research I developed a survey where I started
with questions that gave me an indication of the type of demographic answering the questions, such
as 'what is your age?' And 'what is your gender?'. I then asked questions concerning elements that I
am hoping to employ in my film, through seeing what demographics gave what answers it gave me a
good indication of which demographic my films Ideas would be most effective on. In order to collect a
more detailed response I added a sort of comment box after one question where audiences taking the
survey were able to explain the reasoning for their answer in more detail, I did this for the
question 'what do you find a more compelling social issue?', social issues are things that effect
almost everyone in their own way, by adding this comment box I wanted to find out some of the
reasons that people may find domestic violence such a distressing issue and possibly incorporate
these certain characteristics in my film. From acquiring the answers to the questions that stated
factors I hope to employ in my film along side contradicting factors, such as 'would you watch a film
in black and white' with the multiple choice answer 'yes or no', I found that the demographic who
agreed more with my potential ideas were young women aged 18-25.
6. SECONDARY TARGET
AUDIENCE RESEARCH
Research viewing figures, sales figures, demographic and psychographic
info. Look up article, features or stories related to your potential audience.
As my film is a serious representation of real life issues and portrays
realistic characters in some sort of conflict, I have chosen to credit my
film as a drama. Drama is an extremely versatile genre with numerous
different sub-genres such as action-drama or romance-drama, within
these sub-genres I would class my film as a Melodrama as it employs
themes of genres such as romance and thriller whilst dealing with a crisis
of human emotion, shown through my main protagonists struggle with
domestic violence. From research I have found that the target audience of
melodramas are usually young women aged 16-25, probably due to the
exaggerated emotions and stereotypical plots that most young people
find easily relatable.
As my film involves a social message of domestic violence I looked at the
audiences of films that employ this message. I researched the 1993 film
'What's love got to do with it' and 'The perfect guy' (2015). Both films
centre around a strong female role who struggles with domestic violence.
In the case of both films the main reception seems to come from women,
although ages range from young to old. After looking at the statistics of
domestic abuse I can see why more women see these films, according to
domestic abuse charity LWA (living without abuse) 1 in 4 women will
encounter some form of domestic violence in their lifetimes, although
men still suffer with 1 in 6 the issue is seemingly more seriously apparent
with an average of two women killed a week due to domestic abuse. With
the stats it is clear as to why women favour these films, its because sadly
a large number of them can empathise with the victim and relate to the
story on a deeply emotional scale, potentially heightened by their
personal experiences.
7. PRODUCTION
TECHNIQUES RESEARCH
Research potential production techniques you might want to
use or feel would be most appropriate.
You should watch films/tv shows/music videos that are of a
similar genre/style/audience as what you want to make.
You should collect clips/still images/how to guides/etc that
might help you. When watching scenes from films, etc you
could also ask potential target audience what they think.
You will need to add extra slides!
With each technique you should assess whether you can use
it or how you might employ or why you may want to
disregard it completely
8. PRODUCTION RESEARCH
As well as looking into target audiences I also conducted research on the specific elements of films that
employ similar characteristics to mine.
Camera shots in drama
Close up – this is a shot where the person takes up most of the frame, it is predominantly used in dramas
to highlight the emotion shown on someone's face but can also indicate the importance of a certain
object. In my film I plan on using this technique in multiple scenes to emphasise the emotions of my
main protagonist as she struggles with domestic violence and in particular a scene where she finds an
object of indication that her husband is cheating on her e.g a love note or lipstick mark on shirt.
Extreme close up – similar to a close up, this camera angle makes sure the object/character takes up the
entire frame, imply that it is the only important factor in that scene. I specifically plan on using this
technique during a scene where my main protagonist is waiting for her husband to return home late from
work, the husband returns but completely blanks his waiting wife. The camera cuts to an extreme close
up of a portion of her face as a tear rolls down her cheek, the extreme close up brings focus to the wife's
sadness.
High angle shot – a high angle shot is a shot that places the camera at a higher angle looking down on a
specific object/character. In my film I plan on using a high angle shot of the wife from the husbands
perspective as he angrily shouts at her. The high angle will not only show his dominance but highlight the
vulnerability and lesser meaning of the wife from the husbands eyes.
Close-up
Extreme Close-up
High angle
9. PRODUCTION
RESEARCH
Black and white
Many people think that films are shot in black and white for budgetary reasons as its
supposedly cheaper than shooting in colour but in reality most directors choose it as more
of an artistic reason.in film as well as photography black and white is a great way to
emphasise serious emotion as the dark and dull tones connote dark emotions. Like in the
film 'Schindler's list', although made in 1993 the entire film is shot in black and white,
Spielberg did this in order to create more of a sense of realism and highlight the dark
contents of the film. I also intend to use a technique shown in Schindler's list where the
only piece of colour is a girls red dress, this brings focus to a certain object in a scene, in
my film I plan on using this technique with the murder weapon. Another good thing about
using black and white is the ability to easily change the tone of a scene in order to employ
certain emotions such as in the film 'Sin city'. As my films goes from good to bad in terms
of the couples relationship I plan on changing the tones throughout with lighter tones
during the wedding and moving in together scenes where the couple are happy and darker
tones during the period of domestic abuse and murder.
10. PRODUCTION
RESEARCH
After looking at films that employ the issue of domestic abuse I
have found that for the majority of the film, normal everyday
locations are used so, In terms of locations for my film I plan to use
my house and my dads office. As I am depicting real life situations I
only plan on using real life everyday locations as sadly domestic
abuse can and does happen to anyone anywhere.
11. IDENTIFY TARGET
AUDIENCE
For this you should summarise your primary and secondary research, through this you
should then be able to produce an audience outline that you intend to target. For this
you could also produce an audience profile.
Through my primary research I was able to acquire the basic demographics of each
participant, I then asked questions with both relevant and irrelevant answers
concerning the specific elements I may feature in my film. To help narrow down my
audience, I focused on the demographic that agreed with the key elements of my film of
which I wish to produce. For example I asked the question 'what do you find a more
compelling social issue' and within the multiple choice answer section it included
issues such as 'domestic violence, drug abuse, racial inequality' etc. My survey
concluded that more younger females found domestic violence to be a more compelling
social issue, something which is supported by the secondary research I acquired
regarding the target audiences of films with similar elements to mine or within the same
genre. After looking at films similar to my idea such as 'the perfect guy' along side the
saddening statistics of domestic abuse, I came to the conclusion that I will target my
film at young woman specifically aged 12-27 as woman will be able to emphasise with
the female character as she goes through numerus conflicts, although men will also be
able to emphasise with the struggle of domestic violence statistics show that female
victims are of a greater number. This target audience also fits in with the target
audience of my films genre (melodrama), which is most likely due to the exaggerated
emotions that help capture real life issues in a much more extravagant light. I have
chosen the age of 12 as my starting point as although my film will employ
distressing/adult themes and situations such as domestic violence and adultery a lot of
the physical content will be implied or not as thoroughly shown.
12. AUDIENCE APPROPRIATE
CONTENT
Given your idea generation and your audience research, what sort of content would you define as the
appropriate. Consider issues of taste, certification [BBFC might be a good starting point for this], etc.
Look at what you’d like to include and what you are allowed to include.
I plan on classifying my film as a 12A, I want to do this as I don’t really plan on involving many scenes
of an adult nature and I feel like having a lower classification opens the film to a larger audience.
although my film does involve quite serious and distressing themes such as murder, adultery and
sexual abuse I intend to employ these themes subtly and within the guidelines set by the BBFC.
After reading through the BBFC guidelines for a film rated 12A, I found that from the ideas I have
generated so far there are only two key factors that my film will potentially come under:
• Sex - 'Sexual activity may be briefly and discreetly portrayed. Moderate sex references are permitted, but
frequent crude references are unlikely to be acceptable'. The only time I plan on including anything
related to sexual activity is during a scene where the husband cheats on his wife, to stay within the
set guidelines I only intend to imply sexual activity through seductive looks and actions leading up
to sexual activity that will be cut off in time by a closing door.
• Violence - 'There may be moderate violence but it should not dwell on detail. There should be no emphasis
on injuries or blood, but occasional gory moments may be permitted if justified by the context. Sexual
violence may only be implied or briefly and discreetly indicated, and its depiction must be justified by
context'. I intend to employ violence in two sections of my film, firstly in the scene where the
domestic violence occurs and the wife is beat by the husband. For this scene I intend to show the
first hit and then the camera will pan round to a point where only the shadows can be seen, people
will be able to interoperate what is happening from the vigorous movements of the figures. The
second piece of violence will be in the final scene where the wife kills the husband, no physical
violence will actually be shown but this scene will come under the issue of gore, as the husband is
left in a pool of his own blood. With this scene the gore will only be shown slightly and for a small
amount of time as I intent to switch focus to the wife walking out the door in the background which
will turn the murdered husband into a blur.
13. AVAILABLE RESOURCE AND MATERIALS (AUDIT)
cost access
Technical • DSLR camera
• Fluid head tripod
• Steadicam
• Slider
Free The camera is a personal possession of mine and all the rest of the
filming equipment can be easily booked out for use from York college.
Personnel (Actors)
1st
Brad Saunders & Naomi Parmer
2nd
George Hinchliffe & Paige
Hudson
Free My siblings are both in relationships and both couples spend a lot of
time at home, meaning their availability is good for production and I
have quick access to them if ant quick shots are necessary. If the first
couple are unable to participate
Locations • My house
• My Dads office
free I don’t need a lot of different locations as my story is rather realistic
and simple. As it is my house I have unlimited access but for my dads
office I need to reserve a date in advance.
Props •Empty boxes
•Office files/ fake paperwork
•Heavy household blunt object
•White dress
•Wedding rings
•Black suit
Free I am able to acquire all of these set props, both from my house and
work. Any other props that I need for minor detail to dress a scene, I
will be able to get from my house.
Transport My car N/A Depending on the amount of travel I will need to consider petrol
money, as my only other location for filming is my dads office which is
under 30 minutes away from my house, I will not need a substantial
amount of petrol money.
14. CONSTRAINTS ON
PRODUCTION
List all the potential constraints that might affect or limit your production, you should consider issues from each of these
categories:
Time/Personnel/Cost/Technical/Location/Organisational/etc
Time/Organisational
Time is a big factor that I must consider during the entire process of making this short film, especially as this is the last project of
the year and has to be complete before the UCAS deadline. If I were to rush my planning process this could greatly effect both
my filming and editing. To make sure all my time is spent effectively throughout the entirety of this project I will make a schedule
which depicts exactly what I need to do and when, keeping to this schedule will give me clear indication of my progress. I will
leave the last three days of my schedule free, allowing me to re-visit any unfinished work or add to my editing if necessary. As I
will be working both inside and outside of college I intend to use my time wisely, all free time I have outside of college I will use to
film and fill in any necessary paperwork, whilst in college I will use the editing software's that are readily available to me to cut
and edit my film, doing this in college will also put it an advantage as it gives me the opportunity to acquire the help of my tutor or
peers if necessary.
Personnel
I plan on doing all the behind the camera work, such as filming and editing on my own. I feel that as this my individual project I
should have the freedom to make my won decisions and create the art almost completely from my own ideas. Although I will be
using two actors, its only a small cast which means I am less likely to be let down, if I were to be let down and my actors not show
up for shooting or pull out of the project all together this would have great negative impact on not only my filming but the
production process as a whole, as I would have to postpone filming and find a new cast as soon as possible, leading to me being
greatly behind schedule. To make sure this does not occur I have set filming dates that are agreed with my cast, but just in case
they can not make it on the day I also have a back up cast who can be used if necessary.
Cost
As it is an amateur production run through college I will not need to undergo many real budgetary costs. Usually In amateur
productions the biggest costs are the technical equipment and editing software, as I have both provided to me by college for free I
will not need to tale these in to account as costs. One potential cost is props, although I already have most of the props necessary
I still need some final pieces such as the white dress, to make sure I have all props in time for filming I intend to order them in
advance, all of my props are standard everyday items so I will not have to spend much money overall. One guaranteed cost is
petrol, I will be driving for a total of an hour there and back to the office location, before every trip I will make sure that I have
sufficient petrol and my credit card which would allow me to buy anymore petrol if necessary. If I were to run out of petrol and
breakdown I would be lose valuable filming time an be put greatly behind schedule.
15. CONSTRAINTS ON
PRODUCTION
List all the potential constraints that might affect or limit your production, you should consider issues from
each of these categories:
Time/Personnel/Cost/Technical/Location/Organisational/etc
Location
As my film involves real life situations and is only centred around a small cast of two characters not
many locations are needed. The majority of the film will take place in my house where there are no
real constraints, as my cast are family members meaning we all have almost constant access to the
house and can film quick and easily. There are three rooms which I plan on using for most of the
filming as they have the largest areas, allowing me to be more creative with my angles and
movements. The other location I plan on using is my dads office building, this could come with
multiple constraints. firstly is the transport, I plan on driving myself to and from filming locations and
as my dads office is in the middle of Leeds I greatly risk getting stuck in traffic which could greatly eat
into my filming time and put me behind schedule. To try and stay out of traffic I plan on scheduling my
filming times at this location so I beat the work traffic of 6-9am and 4-7pm. Another potential
complication with this location is that it is a working business, which means if they are too busy it
would be almost impossible for me to film, I need to make sure that I schedule n specific times in
which I plan to film that fits in with the businesses time.
Technical
I plan on acquiring all my filming equipment from York college, they have an online system where
students are able to book out certain equipment for free for a set period of time. The only issue is that
there is a limited amount of equipment and multiple students all doing the same project at the same
time, if I was not able to get all the necessary equipment I would either have to postpone some
scenes which would alter my filming process and put me off schedule or id have to shoot some
scenes without the necessary equipment, therefore decreasing the overall production value. To make
sure that I am able to acquire all the equipment I need I will reserve my booking weeks in advance,
as soon as I know the exact dates I intend to film on.
16. PRODUCTION
MANAGEMENT
CONSIDERATIONS
Think about how you intend to manage your project, considering all that you have
assembled in this file. Are there areas that will need more work than others? How do
you intend to go about getting your production made?
Throughout the process of making my film there are 3 key stages that I need to
complete, pre-production planning, filming and post production-editing. The pre-
production is the somewhat largest part of my whole process and what I think I will be
spending most of my time on, as the more time I spend on producing the necessary
paperwork the easier and therefore quicker my other stages will be especially with
filming, for example if I spend a good amount of time and put as much effort as I can
into my shot list and story board I will be able to use the highly detailed documents to
quickly and properly film what I need to film as I know exactly what I need shot by shot.
Also by acquiring the necessary research from previous films, tv shows etc. That are
similar to my idea I am able to see what techniques will and wont work for my film,
having an idea of the specific techniques that are necessary for my production enables
me to use these skills to acquire the most effective and professional shots I can,
therefor adding to the overall production value of my project. With the physical making
of the film I feel like I will have to allocate more of my time to the editing process rather
than filming, after working on past projects I have discovered that as long as you have a
well structured shot list/ storyboard filming can be done quickly and easily, giving you
the time to make any creative changes during filming. Although I have had a lot of
experience with editing software's like premiere pro, I still don’t know everything,
editing my film in college time will give me the opportunity to acquire help from my
tutors or peers who may have more of an understanding of the software.
17. MODIFICATIONS AND
REVISED FINAL IDEA
Have you had to alter your idea based on the research you have performed? Have you had to modify your idea
due to your pitch/proposal? Or any other reasons? Track it here and justify what you have decided to alter
In the very beginning of my idea generation process I did intend for a different ending, I feel
that the more serious and distressing themes involved in a drama the more emotionally
compelling the film is and therefor more engaging with the audience. The ending I thought of
when I first came up with the story is, the wife kills her self instead of killing the husband, I
feel that this would really emphasise the mental strain that an unloving and violent
relationship can have on a person, but as we got more into the development of the project I
was told I couldn’t involve suicide in case I portrayed it in a sort of disrespectful way, which I
agreed with as suicide is a very serious and emotionally painful subject. Instead I changed the
ending to the wife killing the husband in a quick moment of fear for her own life, I feel that this
shows what domestic violence can do to a person just as well, as this normal everyday
housewife is forced to do this terrible act through the fear of her own husband. For similar
reasons I also intended to actually show the more serious scenes such as the domestic abuse
and murder, but after my pitch my pitch I was advised to certify my film as a 12A in order to
help broaden the viewing demographic. I was given tips on how to imply certain elements like
sex and violence without actually physically showing the actions, which has enabled me to
implement creative production techniques such as using shadows to imply violence and
changing camera focus to distract from the gore, I feel that using these techniques engages
audiences with a more artistic style as instead of being entertained by violence and gore they
focus on the creative production techniques I will use.
