This document outlines the final major project for a course involving pre-production, research techniques, and working to a brief. The project involves producing a short drama video for a streaming service. Students will write three reports on pre-production theory, research theory, and working to a brief. They will then use these skills to plan and produce their own short drama video, conducting research, planning pre-production, and meeting the client brief specifications. Deadlines are provided for submitting the three written reports and the final video production. Grading criteria assess learning outcomes for the relevant course units.

1. Final Major Project
Unit 1: Pre-Production, Unit 3: Research Techniques, Unit 5: Working to a brief,
What is pre-production? 8.10.15
What is research? 8.10.15
Working to a brief 07.03.16

2. Brief
Over this unit you will learn about pre-production, research and how to work to a clients brief, meeting their needs. You will write 3 reports
explaining the theory behind good video planning, research and analyzing different types of client briefs.
You have been asked to produce a short single camera drama for the VOD TV service VODbox, who want to increase their offerings of engaging
and exciting programmes, short films and music videos. Working as a self shooting producer / director you will develop and produce a video
which meets one of their format requirements and to their exact specification. You will need to show intrinsic motivation and a high degree of
independence and professionalism.
Learning outline
The assignment gives learners the opportunity to use production skills already gained from previous units, and develop them further to
produce a production on their own.
Health and safety issues will also be addressed in both location and studio shoots, with learners producing risk assessments prior to any
production work.
Theory:
You will explain research, pre-production and working to a brief in 3 well written reports. You will be able to analyse your own experiences
and reflect on these in your reports.
Practical skills:
You will learn how to conduct research from a variety of sources, to aid you in your report.
You will learn how to communicate and present ideas and information confidently and with consistent clarity.
You will learn how to plan a video in depth and detail, and present your planning in an intelligent ‘live’ document.
You will produce a video, operating cameras and directing talent & contributors.
You will edit footage together to produce a final edit using FCP X.
Evaluative skills:
You will learn how to collate research, and present your findings in different formats – acting on feedback and continue to improve your work.
You will learn how to proof read and correct documents to improve their clarity.

3. Assignment 1: Pre-production theory
Through a series of lectures and workshops you will learn about the pre-production.
You will then need to write an essay explaining pre-production and planning techniques for video production, using examples to justify the
points you are making and consistently using the correct terminology of video production.
What you need to include (at a minimum);
You have been asked to explain the following areas (with illustrative examples):
- Locations: finding them, recces, risk assessments, permissions etc….
- Equipment & facilities: studios, edit suites, camera hire houses, equipment lists, costs etc…
- Crew: job roles, sourcing crew, availability, costs, skills etc…
- Contributors & cast: different types per production, availability, finding them etc…
- Funding and costs: different types of funding, budgeting for costs etc….
- Extra materials: archive footage, soundtrack, props and costumes etc….
- Legal issues: filming permissions, consent forms etc…
- Time planning: scheduling, deadlines, forward planning etc…
- Creative planning: coming up with ideas, scripts, storyboards, creative job roles and responsibilities etc…
Remember to use examples to help you explain everything.
Evidence:
By the deadline you will need to produce:
- A written report, either as a PDF or .DOC
Deadline:
08.10.15
Submission details:
You will need to submit your report to moodle under the assignment “What is pre-production”

4. Grading Criteria:
Unit 1 – P1, M1, D1

5. Assignment 2: Research theory
Through a series of lectures and workshops you will learn about the research techniques.
You will then need to write an essay explaining research techniques for video production, using examples to justify the points you are making
and consistently using the correct terminology of video production.
What you need to include (at a minimum);
You have been asked to explain the following areas (with illustrative examples):
- The purpose of research: audience research, production research, market research
- Different types of research: quantitative versus qualitative research
- Research methods & sources: primary, secondary, self generated, data gathering agencies
- Research techniques: web, BARB, newspapers, film archives, questionnaires, focus groups etc…
Remember to use examples to help you explain everything.
Evidence:
By the deadline you will need to produce:
- A written report, either as a PDF or .DOC
Deadline:
08.10.15
Submission details:
You will need to submit your report to moodle under the assignment “What is research”

6. Grading Criteria:
Unit 3 – P1, M1, D1

7. Assignment 3: Working to a brief
Through a series of lectures and workshops you will learn about how video producers work to a brief.
You will then need to write an essay explaining how video producer, using examples to justify the points you are making and consistently
using the correct terminology of video production.
What you need to include (at a minimum);
You have been asked to explain the following areas (with illustrative examples):
- The structure of briefs: contractual, negotiated, formal, informal, commissioned versus tender, co-operative briefs, competition
- Reading a brief: understand the nature and demands of the clients brief
- Negotiating briefs with a client: consulting with the client, how much discretion you have to interpret the brief, legal constraints,
amending the final idea, budget and conditions, your fees and costs.
- Opportunities: identify opportunities for developing your skills and showreel, being able to multi-skill, contributing to a team on a brief
Remember to use examples to help you explain everything.
Evidence:
By the deadline you will need to produce:
- A written report, either as a PDF or .DOC
Deadline:
07.03.16
Submission details:
You will need to submit your report to moodle under the assignment “Working to a brief”

8. Grading Criteria:
Unit 5 – P1, M1, D1