1. PRODUCTION
MANAGEMENT
STAGE 1
IDEA GENERATION
& RESEARCH
BENEDICT TERRY
YOU SHOULD USE THIS TO STRUCTURE YOUR STAGE 1
RESPONSE. ADD SLIDES WHERE NECESSARY AND
ILLUSTRATIONS. ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS CLICK ON THE
BOX UNDER THE QUESTION/INFO!

2. INITIAL IDEAS
Add your mind map(s) and any documents about your initial ideas here (this
could include sketches, sources of inspiration, etc

3. 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 have decided upon this idea as I intend to showcase my ability for computer
animation, with virtual sets for the computer’s interior and the virus being animated
in the same software. The idea of the lead character being an internet bot
technician relates to recent incidents of deliberate misinformation and hacking
while setting the story in my native UK as opposed to my more obvious initial plan
of Russia relates to the recent Cambridge Analytica scandal, in which this
company was discovered manipulating people across the world into voting for
whoever the company wanted in national elections. This obvious corruption also
allows for my main character’s initial motivation, which will change upon
witnessing the horrific beast that is his creation.

4. 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
One way to have ideas for films is to ask the audiences themselves, most ideally
through online surveys. I created a standard 10-question survey to get opinions on
how films work effectively. The answers I received would help influence my work
by focusing on what audiences felt was most important in film.

5. SECONDARY TARGET
AUDIENCE RESEARCH
Research viewing figures, sales figures, demographic and
psychographic info. Look up article, features or stories related
to your potential audience
I undertook research into mainstream films with similar concept. On
YouGov, I researched the audiences which the films appeal to and
checked their profits on Wikipedia.
I first looked up the 1999 film “The Matrix”. According to YouGov, the
majority of fans are male, aged 27-39, and within the ABC1 social
classes. They slightly more left wing and have a monthly spare of
over £1000. They are also employed in more computer-oriented jobs
like “entertainment”, “information technology”, and “engineering.” The
film itself proved to be successful at the box office, grossing
US$463.5 million on a $63m budget and receiving critical acclaim
with 87% approval on Rotten Tomatoes and 73/100 on Metacritic.
I then looked up the 1982 film “Tron”. Like The Matrix, the majority of
fans are male and within the ABC1 social classes. However, because
Tron is older than The Matrix, it has a slightly older fanbase of those
aged 40-54. They are slightly more politically left-wing than The
Matrix, have a monthly spare of less than £125 and are employed in
more physical jobs like “manufacturing” and “military and defence”,
but “information technology” was also preferable. The film grossed
significantly less than The Matrix, grossing $33m (equivalent of $57m
in 1999) on a $17m budget It also received slightly less critical
acclaim while still generally positive, with 70% approval on Rotten
Tomatoes and 58/100 on Metacritic.

6. 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.
Though I should take into consideration the idea of being gender neutral, I intend
to aim at a generally male audience based on my research. Based on my survey
feedback, I should aim for people aged 16-19, meaning I should include elements
that appeal to this age group.

7. 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.
It has been recommended to me that I aim for a “12” or “12A” rating at maximum.
According to the BBFC, a 12-year-old can handle more complicated or difficult
ideas and situations presented on screen, such as a main protagonist who may do
wrong (which my original intention does contain), as well as generally upsetting
themes or events.
In terms of content, mature themes are allowed provided treatment is suitable for
young teenagers. Some strong language may be used, but kept to a minimum.
Nudity is permitted provided it is brief and mention of sexual activity is discreet.
Violence should not obsess over injury or blood and dangerous activities like
combat or deadly activities like hanging should be presented in a non-flattering
light. Some threat and menace can be shown as intense or last for some time.
Drug use and discrimination should also be shown in a negative light if shown at
all.

8. PRODUCTION
TECHNIQUES RESEARCH
Research potential production techniques you might want to use or feel
would be most appropriate.
I intend to make use of chroma key and CGI effects. This is suitable for a
computer exploration theme due to the fact the sets and effects are produced on
computer, as well as allowing for time constraints that will require non-realistic
qualities that would be ridiculous in a real-world setting.

9. PRODUCTION
TECHNIQUES RESEARCH
You should watch films/tv shows/music videos that are of a similar
genre/style/audience as what you want to make.
a1- “Take On Me” (2000) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EbCsIKI6HEU
This turn-of-the-millennium boyband music video is directly inspired by “Tron” and
of a similar concept to the video I intend to make. In the video, the members of a1
are warped into a computer network with the intent of fighting a mutating virus.
Upon entering they engage in a flight sequence before coming face-to-face with
the virus, which immediately proceeds to spread and attack the members with
individuals clones of itself. After a fight scene inspired by “The Matrix”, the clones
are destroyed and the main virus is finally destroyed with a single laser beam. The
computer and virus, as well as components within the computer, are constructed
from CGI and similar visual effects.

10. PRODUCTION
TECHNIQUES RESEARCH
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.

11. PRODUCTION
TECHNIQUES RESEARCH
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
I am still convinced that CGI sets are more ideal due to the presence of filming
from within a computer. Having previously developed CGI sets once before, I
could easily make an improvement from my first attempt.
Chroma key will effectively blend my live-action subject into a CG environment,
while software such as After Effects will shape the final appearance of my product
by helping it appear more realistic.

12. AVAILABLE RESOURCE
AND MATERIALS (AUDIT)
List all resources and materials you might need, list where you might
access/obtain them and any cost/time implications related to their use
You should show this as a table, ideally.
The following categories should help you:
Technical/Personnel/Locations/Props/Costume/Transport/etc
Technical Personnel Locations Props Costume Transport
Computer suite 3 Actors Empty classroom
(office)
Computer suite Black shirt and
trousers
N/A
Green screen Extras? Green screen
room
Normal clothes
(driver)
Camera Animator/
editor
Street
Animation Software
Microphone
Adobe Premiere/
Photoshop

13. 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
I have a limited time in which to produce the footage and the special effects, so I
will need as much time as is available and it may be unfinished and/or untidy.
Creating the visual effects will also be more difficult and take longer if I am working
alone, which I likely will.
It is possible that I will have to get permission from my local council to film on
public land. This could be avoided by filming on private property, such as outside
college, and masking out any part that suggests a car park, but this would be more
time-consuming as a result.
In terms of organising each shoot, I am aware that there are some timeslots that
some people might not be able to make due to circumstances beyond anyone’s
control. I will try to work around these times and allow for extra time if anything
happens that prevents filming at all.

14. 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?
As usual, I shall keep copies on my flash drive as well as keeping spare copies in
case I misplace the flash drive.
I am aware that the virtual sets and plans for a CGI virus will take significantly
longer to achieve than the live action segments. As a result, I am likely to consider
starting the graphics before I pitch my film to ensure I can finish the film before the
deadline. Because I intend to use binary code on the walls of the set, I may have
to repeat them to save time.

15. 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
Instead of defeating the virus from within the computer, the technician runs virus
termination software. I have also taken the recommendation of somehow
establishing a potential sequel. This is achieved by having the virus infect the main
protagonist during the climax and having him realise he’s still infected at the end
by sneezing and traces of the virus appear in his handkerchief.