Unit 25: Research for product development

Magazine show: Pre-production L.O. – What pre-production tasks must we consider if we were to create a magazine show?

Your task, as outlined in the pre-release project brief: Flashbang Productions have been commissioned by a national public service broadcaster to produce a new youth magazine show called ‘Life in Between’. ‘Life in Between’ will have a target audience of 12-17 year olds. The content will provide teenagers with a range of information about health and well-being along with celebrity gossip and film and gaming reviews.

Unit 25 learning objectives Unit 25 Research for product development LO1 Be able to conduct research for a digital media production LO2 Be able to use research to inform pre-production and planning LO3 Be able to apply research findings to the proposed production processes LO4 Be able to use research findings to promote the digital media product LO5 Know how feedback is used within research techniques

What is pre-production? Pre-production is a fairly loose term which refers to the tasks undertaken before production begins. Exactly what is included in this stage depends on the medium and situation For a small TV company, pre-production may refer to everything that happens before shooting begins, for example, meeting with the client, research, storyboarding, location planning, etc. It can also include things when the above milestones have been met and include financing, screenplay, casting and major staffing In this case pre-production includes: Location scouting Prop and wardrobe identification and preparation Special effects identification and preparation Production schedule Set construction Script-locking (semi-finalisation of the script) Script read-through with cast, director and other interested parties

What do we need to focus on? The brief states: 1. Gathering information to plan and develop the production of ‘Life in Between’. The key areas that you should research are: Audience requirements Broadcast scheduling and distribution opportunities Budgeting Timescales Studio and presentation Assets required for production Equipment Legal and ethical considerations

Questions in the Jan 18 exam paper that relate to pre-production research include: 1 (b)  Identify two sources of secondary information that you could use to find out information about the popularity of youth magazine shows. 2 The target audience requirements of ‘Life in Between’ need to be clearly researched so that the content is appropriate and engaging. (a)* Identify four ideas for original content for ‘Life in Between’. Justify your choices using findings from your research about target audience requirements. (b) Explain how the target audience will have an impact on the choice of distribution channels for ‘Life in Between’. 3 (a) ‘Life in Between’ has been commissioned by a public service distribution channel. Considering the type of company that commissioned the programme, identify four elements, other than budget, that a proposal for ‘Life in Between’ would include. Explain why each is required. (b) Flashbang Productions have been given a set budget to produce ‘Life in Between’. Identify one source of information that could guide you on the budgeting of magazine shows and explain why this source would be useful to you.

4 The research you have undertaken needs to be securely shared with the rest of the planning and production team. It should be presented in a way that is easy for all team members to understand. Identify one method of sharing the research online and explain why it is useful. You used a quantitative data collection method when researching the target audience of ‘Life in Between’. (b) Identify one way that you could present this quantitative data and explain why this is useful. 5 The producer needs to hire specialist equipment for ‘Life in Between’. From your research identify three pieces of equipment required to produce the magazine programme and explain why each is needed. 6 Flashbang Productions will need to create a studio set design before the production of ‘Life in Between’ can start. Identify three areas that Flashbang Productions need to consider when creating their set design. You should justify your answers based on your research.

There are lots of pre-production questions!

What research should we carry out to help with this examination What research should we carry out to help with this examination? In pairs you will focus on a bullet point and use research to guide you. Audience requirements and broadcast scheduling and distribution opportunities Budgeting, timescales and equipment Studio and presentation and assets required for production Legal and ethical considerations Where could we go to research this information? Remember to source where you get your information from and use relevant examples to help you with your research. You will share your work with each other at the end.