This document provides guidance for exam preparation on the topic of research and planning skills for media production. It begins by listing different areas of skills development that could be asked about, including research and planning. It then focuses on defining and providing examples of research versus planning. Research involves analyzing real media texts, audiences and technical aspects, while planning encompasses developing ideas, storyboarding, scheduling and organizing a production. The document prompts reviewing one's portfolio and production work to evaluate how research and planning skills developed between AS and A2 levels, noting any improvements that allowed for better creative decision making and production quality over time.

1. Exam preparation - Q1a
You could be asked to describe and evaluate your skills
development in any of the following areas:
• Research & Planning
• Using conventions of real media texts
• Digital technology
• Post-production
• Creativity
Today, we are focusing on research and planning.

2. Research and Planning
1. In pairs, use post-it notes to write down as many
things as you can remember doing as part of the
research and planning for your A2 production work.
One aspect of research and planning per post-it.
You have 4 minutes…

3. Research and Planning
2. Now divide these Post-it notes into those that you
think come under research and those that you think
come under planning.
3. Go through the following slides to check, and add
to, your Post-it notes.

4. Research and Planning
Research refers to looking at real media and also audiences to
inform your thinking about a media production.
Planning refers to all the creative and logistical thinking and all
the organisation and record keeping that goes on in putting the
production together so that everything works.

5. Research
Research can be further broken down into the following areas:
1. Research into conventions of real media texts
A large part of this research will have involved textual
analysis of a range of teaser trailers, posters and film
magazine covers. This is primary research.
You may also have carried out some secondary research, for
example to learn about conventional features of your chosen
genre, or perhaps to learn more about the use of technical
aspects, e.g. use of sound in film.

6. Research
2. Audience research
• Primary research (feedback questionnaires, vox pops, etc.)
• Secondary research (Pearl & Dean data, IMDB info, etc.)
3. Technical research, e.g.:
• How to achieve a particular camera shot
• How to use features in the software to achieve a particular effect (many
of you found YouTube video tutorials to find out how to do something in
Final Cut Pro or Adobe Photoshop)
4. Logistical research, e.g.:
• Researching suitable locations
• Research to find the best props, costume, etc.

7. Planning
Planning involves a wide range of creative and organisational
skills, for example:
• developing ideas
• writing a synopsis
• Planning and drafting shots/storyboards
• creating shot lists
• creating animatics
• organisation of equipment, costumes, props, locations, actors,
crew - compiling filming schedules and call sheets helped with
this.
• carrying out risk assessments

8. Research and Planning
You should have been able to add a few more Post-it notes to each section.
4. Access your Foundation Portfolio journal on Mahara and look back at
what research and planning you did in your AS year and what it was like.
 What research and planning skills did you learn during AS? Write a ‘learnt
during AS’ list.
 How did this help your AS final production? What were you able to
achieve? Write a brief summary.
 Now look back at your Post-it notes, did you do any additional research
and planning at A2 that you didn’t do at AS? Write a ‘learnt during A2’ list.
 Have you improved any of your skills in research and planning since AS? (If
not, can you at least now do the same tasks more independently?)Write a
brief summary.The following slide may help…

9. Skills in Research and Planning
Examples of skills you may have developed
in research:
Skills in using the internet to find relevant
and reliable materials (e.g. skills in using
search engines and in selecting and evaluating
sources)
Skills in referencing and understanding issues
around copyright
Textual analysis skills (the ability to break
down a text, identify how it is constructed
and interpret the messages that are
communicated to an audience).You were
analysing the micro elements (camerawork,
mise en scene, editing and sound) to
consider the macro features (meaning
created in terms of genre, narrative,
representation and audience).
Skills in using technology to collect
information or organise, share and present
your findings
Examples of skills you may have developed
in planning:
Skills in drafting and storyboarding (ability
to visualise and clearly communicate your
ideas/vision to others).
Ability to make appropriate/effective
creative decisions in order to achieve your
vision (i.e. how to use the technical
elements to communicate meaning to an
audience).
Ability to create accurate and effective
planning documents (e.g. shot lists, call
sheets, schedules, risk assessments, etc.)
Working as part of a team to complete
your production to a good standard before
the deadline (may involve skills in
leadership, delegation, mediation, co-
operation, time management, etc.)

10. Research and Planning
 Watch your AS opening sequence.
 Now look back through your A2 final products.
 Has your improved level of skills in research
and planning led to an improvement in your
production work? How is this demonstrated?
Note down examples from your final
productions.

11. Research and Planning
Use your notes to write an essay plan for
this Q1a exam question:
Describe how you developed research
and planning skills for media production
and evaluate how these skills contributed
to creative decision making. Refer to a
range of examples in your answer to show
how these skills developed over time.
Refer to Liz’s Q1a page on Mahara for guidance on structuring
your answer.