Section 3 - Pre-production planning

Question 1

Work plans

Answer 1

Work plans are used to plan out the different elements that need to be completed within a project. In a media product there are three phases that would need to be covered in the work plan:
- pre-production (planning)
- production (creating)
- post-production (editing and reviewing)
Work plans list all the tasks that need to be done to complete a project. They also show the project start and end dates, as well as when the different components should be completed so that the project finishes on time.

Question 2

Components of work plans (7) - explained

Answer 2

• Resources: Resources include the hardware, software and people required to complete the project.
• Timescales: The time given to each activity and task in the project.
• Milestones: Milestones are the dates when key parts of the project are complete
• Tasks: Tasks are the main phases of the project such as pre-production, production, and post-production in a film. In other media products they may include planning, creation and review phases.
• Workflow: This is the order in which activities are completed. Activities may have dependencies. This means that other activities need to be completed first.
• Activities: Tasks are broken down into activities. These are the smaller components that need to be carried out to complete the task. They are also known as sub-tasks.
• Contingencies: Contingencies are a back ip plan for when problems occur. This is spare time allocated in the plan to allow for the unexpected.

Question 3

Uses and benefits of a work plan (3)

Answer 3

A work plan helps manage tasks, activities, time and resources in any type of media product. The benefits of a work plan include:
- Ensuring that timescales and deadlines are clear so that the project can be completed on time.
- Assisting with the allocation of resources, so you know what equipment and people are needed and when.
- Planning what to do if there are issues to make sure the project can still be finished on time and in budget.

Question 4

Purposes of a mindmap (2)

Answer 4

• The purpose of a mindmap is to outline ideas quickly.
• A mindmap also shows the connections between different ideas.

Question 5

Use of a mind map (2)

Answer 5

• A mind map will normally be used at the beginning of a project, for example, to analyse a client brief. At this stage it allows an overview of all the components of the project to be considered. Mind maps may also be a useful way to generate ideas on one task required in the project.
• Mind maps may have many users in the team. For example, a campaign manager could create a set of ideas for a promotional campaign. They would then share these with the wider team to generate discussion. Once all the ideas are complete, team members could carry out further planning. For instance, a designer may make a visualisation diagram of a poster that will be created for the campaign.

Question 6

Content of a mind map (5)

Answer 6

• A mind map consists of the main or central idea in the middle.
• Nodes are connected to the main idea.
• Sub-nodes are connected to the nodes to help organise the ideas more clearly.
• Branches are used for connecting the nodes to the sub-nodes and the main idea to the nodes to show how the ideas are related to each other.
• Each node or sub-node includes text and/or images.

Question 7

Mood boards

Answer 7

• A mood board is a planning document that assembles a range of materials in order to reflect the potential style of a media product.
• Examples of colour, graphics, typography and texture may all be included. These may be physical (such as photos, pages cut out from a magazine and texture samples) or created digitally. Remember, that even a digital mood board could contain photos of textures and physical objects.

Question 8

Purpose of a moodboard

Answer 8

The purpose of a mood board is to develop the feeling and style of the product. It assists in giving ideas for the later planning stages, such as the creation of a visualisation diagram or storyboard. It may also be referred to when producing the final media product. Mood boards can also be used to get feedback from a client or the rest of the design team on a particular style,

Question 9

Content of a mood board (physical + digital)

Answer 9

• Physical mood board - A physical mood board will be produced on a large piece of paper or card and contain materials such as photographs, pages cut out from a magazine, fabrics, examples of text showing typography, and colour swatches.
• Digital mood board - A digital mood board may include digital images, graphics, text, videos, and audio files. Digital mood boards are made in a wide range of software. They are typically exported as PDFs or JPG images for easy access and distribution.

Question 10

Identify two features that could be on a digital mood board but not on a physical one. [2]

Answer 10

Two from: Videos [1], audio [1], animation [1]

Question 11

Purpose of a script

Answer 11

A script is a written document used for media products such as TV drama, documentaries, television or radio advertising, news, or film.

Question 12

Content and conventions of a script (6 + 6)

Answer 12

Scripts typically contain the following information:
- Technical information such as transitions, shot, and camera movement are often included.
- Dialogue
- Location description
- Scene information
- Sound effects
- Character names
Scripts have a number of conventions that make them easier to read and understand for the variety of people that will need to use them.
- Dialogue is indented under the character’s name
- Capitals are used for character names and scene headings.
- Bold is used for actions, emotion or emphasis.
- Speech direction may be given in brackets.
- Scripts usually use Courier font - this is a monospace font meaning each letter has the same width .
- Scene heading use abbreviations such as EXT (exterior) or INT (interior). The location and time may be used in a scene heading. V.O. is used for voice overs.

Question 13

How will a director use a script?

Answer 13

A director will use the script to develop their overall vision for the production. It is their job to interpret the script and bring it to life on the screen.

Question 14

How will an actor or presenter use a script?

Answer 14

An actor or presenter will use a script so that they know what to say, when to say it and how to say it. They will also know how to move or behave whilst on the set or location. These are known as stage directors or blocking

Question 15

How will a production designer use the script?

Answer 15

The production designer will use the script to plan the set and props required for the production.

Question 16

How will a costume designer use the script?

Answer 16

The costume designer will use the script to dress the cast in suitable clothing.

Question 17

Purpose of a storyboard

Answer 17

A storyboard is a series of drawings, usually with brief directions, showing the sequence of shots needed in a film or television program. Some computer games may also make use of storyboards.

Question 18

Use of a storyboard

Answer 18

A storyboard will be used by the production team to see what is happening scene by scene in a visual way. Technical details such as camerawork, sounds and lighting will be considered based on the instructions and feeling given by their script and storyboard.

Question 19

Contents and conventions of a storyboard (4)

Answer 19

• Timings and number of scenes: Scenes are rarely shot in order as each scene might have different locations and camera setup required. Scenes may be made up of more than one shot. Timings may be given for each scene.
• Camera shots and movement: Details about camera angles and movement help the camera crew plan the equipment that is needed including whether a dolly and track or tripod are required to capture the shot.
• Location: The storyboard provides information on where filming will take place, either in a studio on location. The location department will use this to scout out appropriate places that may be used for filming, carry out a location recce and conduct risk assessments to check whether they are suitable.
• Sound: The sound crew will use the storyboard to plan any dialogue that needs to be recorded during the production phase, as well as sound effects and background music that need to be added in during post-production.

Question 20

Purpose of a visualisation diagram

Answer 20

A visualisation diagram is a rough sketch of a media product. The purpose of a visualisation diagram is to indicate or give a representation of how the final product will look including the content, layout, font and colour.

Question 21

Use of a visualisation diagram (3)

Answer 21

• A visualisation diagram is often used to show the design team what the product might look like. It could be discussed and changed if needed.
• It is also a useful method of sharing design ideas with the client. The client can then propose changes to the design if they are not happy with it.
• It is best used for products that are static (non-moving) such as magazines, posters, DVD and Blue-ray covers, book covers, leaflets and brochures. They can also be used for a single screen in a computer game, such as a menu screen, and a web page design.

Question 22

Content of a visualisation diagram (4)

Answer 22

• Sketches of the content
• Layout and positioning: the diagram should clearly show how photos, graphics and text are positioned. This includes areas that are intentionally left blank.
• Annotation: these are labels around the visualisation diagram that provide further information about the design. These should include detail of the planned colours, typography and justifications for any design elements.
• Specific features for the media product: a visualisation diagram should reflect what would be seen on the final product so will need to include typical features of that type of product. For example, a magazine front cover would contain a barcode and issue number whilst a computer game cover would contain a PEGI rating.

Question 23

Purpose of asset logs

Answer 23

When making media products, you must have permission to use media assets, such as images or video clips. An asset log is a list of all the assets used in a media product. An asset log will include details of the file, such as the filename, where it will be used and the source such as the website or image library where it was found. It also includes information about whether permission is required from the copyright holder and whether it has been given. A simple table may be used to make an assets log. Large media companies are likely to have specialist software to record assets that have been used along with the asset licence.

Question 24

Describe how an image downloaded from a website may be used legally [2]

Answer 24

• A licence to use the image [1] may be purchased [1].
• The image may have a free use licence / Creative Commons licence [1] in which case the conditions of the licence should be checked and recorded. [1]
• A request for permission may be made to the website owner, [1] once they have given permission, this will be recorded and the image may be used. [1]

Question 25

Purpose of a flow chart

Answer 25

A flow chart is a diagram that represents a workflow or series of processes. It offers a clear step-by-step approach including decisions that may be made along the way and their outcomes.

Question 26

Use of flow charts

Answer 26

- A flow chart might be used to map out how an end user might move through a website or show what happens when choices are made within a computer game. - Flow charts are technical documents that may be used by web developers, web designers, games programmers and games developers.

Question 27

Content and conventions used in flow charts (5)

Answer 27

Flow charts use a standard set of symbols to represent different stages within a system. Each box is connected by an arrow to show the direction of flow. - The terminator symbol is used at the beginning and end of a flow chart to show where it starts and finishes. It takes the shape of an oval. - The process box shows a step in the process. Details of the steps are included inside the box. It takes the shape of a rectangle. - A decision symbol poses a question with a Yes or No answer. The response determines which arrow will be followed. It is important that arrows coming out of a decision are labelled. It takes the shape of a diamond. - Input and output symbols show what will be entered by the user or what will be output to the screen. They take the shape of trapeziums. - Arrows are used to connect the symbols and show the direction of flow through the flow charts.

Question 28

Explain one benefit of using flow charts to plan the functionality of a website [2]

Answer 28

The flow chart will give an exact plan of the processes required [1] meaning that all people working on the project will understand how it works [1].

Question 29

When would someone need to get permission for taking photographs or recording videos in public?

Answer 29

If they are doing it for commercial purposes

Question 30

How would permission be granted in the situation of a wedding and family portrait photographer

Answer 30

Some will not give permission to copy the photographs and may charge for each copy. Other photographers may charge a fee for each photo and give the original digital photo with permission to create as many copies or prints as wanted.

Question 31

How would permissions work in the situation of a photographer taking photos as a hobby and having shared their photos with a Creative Commons licence?

Answer 31

The Creative Commons licence will need to be checked. Some images will only allow personal use, whilst others will allow commercial use. Usually no fee will be charged for using the image, but it’s important to check that the person sharing the photo has the right to share and model release forms if necessary.

Question 32

How would permissions work in the situation of a photograph being taken of a model for use in advertising on a billboard?

Answer 32

The model will need to give their permission to use the photographs by signing a model release form.

Question 33

How would permissions work in the situation of a photograph of people on a busy street being available on a photographic library that states ‘for editorial use only’?

Answer 33

The photograph may not be used for commercial purposes such as advertising. This is because the people walking on the street won’t have given their permission to be photographed. However, the photograph may be used for news and education. such as in a newspaper but cannot be edited or manipulated. To do this, a fee is paid to purchase a license to use the image.

Question 34

Invasion of privacy and harassment

Answer 34

Photographers need to make sure that they are respectful and don’t invade people’s privacy. They also need to be careful that they don’t pressure or intimate people they are taking photographers of. This is known as harassment.

Question 35

Defamation

Answer 35

Defamation is when damage is caused to the character and reputation of an individual or company by a statement or action that is untrue. Libel and slander are two forms of defamation.

Question 36

Libel

Answer 36

Libel is when a false statement is published. This could be an article or photograph in a newspaper, magazine, television program or even a social media post. In libel, the defamation is permanent - for instance, a newspaper article will still be available to read next week.

Question 37

Slander

Answer 37

Slander uses a temporary form of defamation. This typically happens with speech.

Question 38

Data protection

Answer 38

Data protection aims to protect a person’s personal data. The rights of the person, known as a data subject, are that the data is: - Used for a specific purpose - Relevant and not more than needed - Accurate and kept up to date - Not kept longer than necessary - Stored securely

Question 39

Intellectual property rights (3)

Answer 39

Photographs, graphics, video, logos, ideas and patents are all forms of intellectual property. They are protected from being copied without permission using copyright. There are some permitted uses when you may still copy materials, such as for private study. This is known as fair use. - Photographs, graphics, video, music and text are all protected by copyright. This prevents others from using the media without permission. It allows media producers to charge or view or re-use media products. Copyright uses the C symbol, whilst Creative Commons licenses use the CC symbol. - Patents may be registered for inventions, which have clever or unique idea to solve a problem. - Logos and product names are examples of trademarks. Companies will be very careful about how their trademarks are used. A trademark is instead indicated by using the trademark symbol TM. The trademark may be registered, in which case the registered trademark symbol R is used.

Question 40

An image has a watermark. Describe the use of watermarks on stock images. [3]

Answer 40

The image has text or a logo placed over it [1] which makes the image unusable in the leaflet. [1] When a fee is paid for a licence [1] a high resolution image without the watermark is made available for the user to download. [1]