The document discusses different types of briefs that are used in media production including contractual, negotiated, formal, informal, commission, tender, co-operative, and competition briefs. For each type of brief, a definition and example is provided on how it is used to guide a production project and the advantages and disadvantages of each for media professionals working with that type of brief.

1. Contractual
http://sophiehunit5workingwithabrief.blogspot.co.uk/2011/09/contractual-formal-
negotiated-informal.html
'A contract brief is between the client and employees. The contractual brief explains the
duties required and how the company's schemes its work. The contractual brief explains how
the much employee will receive. The contractual brief includes areas such as what the
employee is agreeing before signing it.'
Following a contractual brief implies that a company is following a contract. In this contract
it would inform them what is expected and how they should follow the contract. It gives
them information about the company and what they need to bring to that company. When
they have understood their brief they would sign the contract. The difference between this
and other briefs is that they follow the brief for as long as the contract says they need to.
They don’t have to produce anything following the contract; it is based on their
performance. This brief would be easy to follow because it would have all the information I
will need to work by it. For example, if I was told to follow a Contractual brief based on
working in a radio studio, I could talk to them about the outcomes of the brief and what I
could gain; this helps my communication, because I am discussing the brief. Following the
methods in the brief in the way they want me to, I would be working with them to the time
speed they want me to work in, meeting deadlines. This would help my time management.
Working in different aspects of the radio studio, I would be using different technical parts,
which would improve my technical skills. All of these leading to careers progression.
Negotiated
http://www.slideshare.net/heather1405/example-briefs
http://sophiehunit5workingwithabrief.blogspot.co.uk/2011/09/contractual-formal-
negotiated-informal.html
‘Almost the same as the formal brief except that this kind of brief can have input from both
sides of the creation both the client and the company, this type of brief is normally created
over the phone.’
This is a disgust brief between the creators of the production and the people they are
producing this for. The way this could work is by the production team, producing ideas for it
and then discussing them with the client. This can be done for any other information the
company may need. They can discuss in detail more about the brief. I think I could work well
with this brief because of its structure but with the ability to be flexible with the ideas. For
example, if I was asked to create a photography piece, they would give e their idea of what
they want, and I could give them some of my ideas towards the production. This helps
improve my communication skills. Working towards their deadline would improve my time

2. management. With a photography piece I would have to use equipment such as; camera,
tripod, flashgun and backdrop, improving my technical skills. All of these leading to career
progression.
Formal
http://creativemediaatjt.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/formal-brief.html
‘This this where a media company is given a brief by the client which outlines the product
which they are wanting to be made. This brief is very open and only gives enough
information to be able to produce the product, any issues or information that the media
company would like to go over can be discussed during the negotiations with the client. Both
the client and the company employed by them will formally agree on the project and the
brief but it cannot always be legally binding.’
A formal brief is only giving key information to the production team based on the product
they want produced. Information which is lost can be discussed, when in negotiations with
the clients. This helps make the planning for the production a lot more formal and
organised, this way the production team know exactly what the client needs because they
only give the key information, which is the most important information. If I was to work by
this brief I would find it a lot easier to understand because it would be structured and
organised. For example, if they were to tell me they wanted a cover for a magazine and
giving me the stories they wanted me to involve on the front and what the theme was, my
communication skills would come from me pitching the idea, or the first draft product.
Working to the time the magazine was being released would help my time management.
When editing the product I would learn more technical skills, which would lead to career
progress.
Informal
http://sophiehunit5workingwithabrief.blogspot.co.uk/2011/09/contractual-formal-
negotiated-informal.html
‘This type of brief is done face to face through a meeting, all aspects of the brief must appeal
to all members from the client list, the advantages of doing an informal brief is that it can
create a relaxed environment and therefore be created a lot quicker, the disadvantages of
an informal brief is that it can be seen as unprofessional and unclear.’
Following an informal brief can help a production team be more creative because they can
discuss their ideas in a relaxed way, however, this can be seen as unprofessional in a work
area. It can be easier following an informal brief because there are more options to the
production; on the other hand, this could come across as unclear information. Working to
this brief I would find it more creative and relaxed, allowing me to work well with others
and coming up with more ideas. However, I do understand this could slow down time

3. because I could discuss work in more detail. For example if I was told to create an advert,
the biggest skill I would gain is communication because I could discuss ideas with others and
understand their views on the product. Because of the relaxed area it would be hard to
follow time management, however, I could take this opportunity to have the responsibility
of the time management so that the preparation would be more organised. Filming the
advertisement would give me the opportunity to work with lighting, filming and props,
giving me technical skills. Leading to career progress.
Commission
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_a_commission_brief
‘This is when a TV broadcaster, such as the BBC, employs an independent production
company to produce a program for their schedule.’
A commission brief is following a time schedule more than a production piece. This can be
easy to follow when being creative with the production, however, time keeping is a key
factor. This can be a good brief to follow when the production team isn’t sure how long the
production should be. However, this might not be the best brief to follow when a
production team needs to follow more instructions or clearer instructions. If I was to follow
this brief I think it would be a good brief to work to because it advises the time gap your
product is filling. However, there aren’t many instructions to follow. On the other hand this
could allow more creativity. For example, if I was asked to create a TV program, on ITV1
from 8:00pm-9:00pm, I would gain time management because I would have a time limit to
follow and would have to work quickly meaning I would have to be organised. Working with
filming equipment and lighting I would gain a good technical skill. Writing scripts and
discussing the plot of the program, I would gain a communication skill. Leading to a career
progression.
Tender
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_tender_brief_answer
‘A tender brief is where several prospective contractors provide and estimated cost and a
description of how the product may be produced. The proposals are discussed by the
commissioner and one of the tenders drawn.’
A tender is based on following a price limit and in detail how the production should be
produced. This an advantage when following a clear brief and having a set price limit.
Although, the disadvantage to this brief is that the creative side is limited. There are very
structured instructions to follow in the process of the production. If I was giving this brief I
would find it difficult because of the limited amount of money I could use to make a
production, there may have to be cut backs which could be a problem in the process of the

4. production. On the other hand, this is a more structured way of producing the product. For
example, if a company told me to create a music video, I would have to work with their
money budget, discussing the brief and using email to communicate and send ideas.
Co-operative
Working to a co-operative brief is important for two professional broadcasters to work
together. This can be an advantage because they both production teams are working with
professionals. On the other hand, this can be a difficult work placed because there could be
a chance of competition on liability between the two companies. If I was to work with this
brief, I would find it to be a challenge; however, I believe it would be a good experience for
me to learn from other professionals. For example, if I was in a professional production
company and we would have to communicate with the other company to discuss ideas; this
would help my communication skill. Time management would be difficult to keep track of
because I would be working with a different company, who may not meet deadlines. The
technical skills I would gain would be working with new equipment because the other
company could have equipment my company doesn’t. Working with another professional
company would help my career progression.
Competition Brief
http://sophiehunit5workingwithabrief.blogspot.co.uk/2012/01/competition-brief.html
‘This type of brief is given to you when participating in competitions, it allows the clients to
understand what they must do to enter and complete the competition, this brief is different
to other briefs as it is more intense with the audience. This brief is usually used for
companies that are promoting competitions; the brief is given out to clients so they can
understand what they are to do.’
http://www.artinboka.com/
To understand how to enter a competition and how to complete it. This is to structure a
competition, and make it easier for contestants to compete. The link above is an example of
a competition brief. At the top it shows, in bold, the structure of the competition. This helps
organise the brief to give the competitors a simple understanding. Doing this will allow them
to focus on the main aspects of the competition. Underneath this, it gives them the purpose
of the brief; this allows them to know why they need to do, what it is the brief is telling
them. Giving them more information It also has the result of the competition; what thy will
win. This is headlined with ‘Prizes’ this helps the competitors know what the brief will lead
to. If I was to work by this brief I think it would be easy to follow because of its clear
instructions. It would be rather limited because of its instructions; however, I believe this
just to be clear guidelines rather than limiting my creativity. For example, if I was entering a

5. competition to create a film trailer, also it had to be an action film and for it to last 3
minutes. I would have to gain a communication skill by discussing ideas with my company
and how it would fit to the clear instructions. My time keeping would be good to keep track
of because the brief would give a clear finished date and how long it would have to be. This
helps me keep organised to make sure it is done on time. I would gain a technical skill when
I edited the film trailer, shortening it and adding the action music. Doing this would help my
career progression.