Video Project Planning Process Narrative, Documentary, Ad/PSA and Corporate/instructional Video production

Program types Narrative - story, drama, comedy…, creation of the artist’s, director’s, writer’s mind Narrative - story, drama, comedy…, creation of the artist’s, director’s, writer’s mind Independent, studio produced Independent, studio produced Documentary - ‘real’ story, not ‘created’ by writer, tells a true story with ‘real’ footage Documentary - ‘real’ story, not ‘created’ by writer, tells a true story with ‘real’ footage NOT journalism, not necessarily balanced NOT journalism, not necessarily balanced Many approaches Many approaches

Program types Ad/PSA Ad/PSA Short persuasive message Short persuasive message Ad - for “for-profit” company to sell a product or service. Air time purchased. Ad - for “for-profit” company to sell a product or service. Air time purchased. PSA - Public Service Announcement, not intended to “sell” things but to persuade pro-social behavior PSA - Public Service Announcement, not intended to “sell” things but to persuade pro-social behavior “Sponsor” must be identified. Air time purchased or donated “Sponsor” must be identified. Air time purchased or donated

Program types Corporate, Institutional, Educational Corporate, Institutional, Educational Great variety in projects ranging from internal communication to external programming. Great variety in projects ranging from internal communication to external programming. Educational - message gets to ‘remote’ students, and is consistent and efficient Educational - message gets to ‘remote’ students, and is consistent and efficient Corporate - same benefits, consistent message; all Gap shirts folded the same way, Mickey D’s fries…all the same Corporate - same benefits, consistent message; all Gap shirts folded the same way, Mickey D’s fries…all the same Many non-broadcast uses of video… name some… Many non-broadcast uses of video… name some…

Narrative (story/feature) Inspiration – original or adapted story, nugget of an idea, your life Inspiration – original or adapted story, nugget of an idea, your life Writing, initial research, character creation Writing, initial research, character creation Treatment – short description of story w/character sketches. Treatment – short description of story w/character sketches. Identification of potential funding sources, “pitch” film to producers Identification of potential funding sources, “pitch” film to producers

Narrative (story/feature) Master Scene script – expands story into scenes w/dialog, little technical info Master Scene script – expands story into scenes w/dialog, little technical info Shooting Script – story broken into individual shots w/detail Shooting Script – story broken into individual shots w/detail Shop script to broker, raise $ to produce film yourself Shop script to broker, raise $ to produce film yourself Contracts with talent, assemble crew, film… Contracts with talent, assemble crew, film…

DocumentaryDocumentary Inspiration Inspiration research research awareness of social issues, trends awareness of social issues, trends desire for change desire for change unique story unique story client initiated client initiated

DocumentaryDocumentary Research Research Background, details of topic, past docs, ethnography, spend time with subjects Background, details of topic, past docs, ethnography, spend time with subjects Serendipity – have camera in the right place at the right time Serendipity – have camera in the right place at the right time Determine budget and seek funding sources Determine budget and seek funding sources

DocumentaryDocumentary Production Production Determine form, “voice” of the doc – Who is telling the story and how? From what point of view? Determine form, “voice” of the doc – Who is telling the story and how? From what point of view? Gather footage – range of approaches: fully researched and planned (expose’ for Frontline on PBS) to verite’ where program’s captured as unplanned story unfolds. Gather footage – range of approaches: fully researched and planned (expose’ for Frontline on PBS) to verite’ where program’s captured as unplanned story unfolds.

DocumentaryDocumentary Production Production Interactive/dynamic process Interactive/dynamic process View and Log tapes to start assembling story line. View and Log tapes to start assembling story line. Choose/create music score. Choose/create music score. Legalities - talent release forms, music permissions Legalities - talent release forms, music permissions Edit Edit Seek distribution medium Seek distribution medium

Advertisement / Public Service Announcement Client initiates process w/need for persuasive message for a large audience. Client initiates process w/need for persuasive message for a large audience. Meet w/client to determine: goals, target/market audience, approach. Meet w/client to determine: goals, target/market audience, approach. Research topic in conjunction w/client. Identify: key points, persuasive elements, budget, telecast outlets Research topic in conjunction w/client. Identify: key points, persuasive elements, budget, telecast outlets

Advertisement / Public Service Announcement Develop multiple approaches to the message. Develop multiple approaches to the message. Draft copy of scripts and storyboards. Draft copy of scripts and storyboards. Get client feedback. Get client feedback. Create final scripts and storyboards. Create final scripts and storyboards. Sometimes selection process is competitive, even at this stage. Sometimes selection process is competitive, even at this stage.

Advertisement / Public Service Announcement Production Production Contract first, then shoot. What will be delivered, when, in what format? Contract first, then shoot. What will be delivered, when, in what format? Get the details in writing: length, approval authority, etc… Get the details in writing: length, approval authority, etc… Editing Editing Testing - pre-broadcast, post- broadcast Testing - pre-broadcast, post- broadcast

Corporate/InstructionalCorporate/Instructional Client initiates process w/need for informative program – proprietary or mass audience. Client initiates process w/need for informative program – proprietary or mass audience. Meet w/client to determine: goals, audience, approach, length. Inform client about cost, time commitment, production values. Communication w/client is KEY! Meet w/client to determine: goals, audience, approach, length. Inform client about cost, time commitment, production values. Communication w/client is KEY! Contract w/details. Contract w/details. Research topic & approach: main points to be communicated, length of project, screening environment. Research topic & approach: main points to be communicated, length of project, screening environment.

Corporate/InstructionalCorporate/Instructional Develop outline. Develop outline. Educate client on production process, time frame, costs. Get client feedback Educate client on production process, time frame, costs. Get client feedback Develop script and storyboard. Develop script and storyboard. Get client feedback. Get client feedback. Production – get contract first, then shoot. What will be delivered, when, in what format? Production – get contract first, then shoot. What will be delivered, when, in what format?

Corporate/InstructionalCorporate/Instructional Editing - have client involved as much as possible Editing - have client involved as much as possible Post-production screening and follow-up Post-production screening and follow-up Summative Evaluation Summative Evaluation Conduct research to determine effectiveness of message Conduct research to determine effectiveness of message Adjust if necessary Adjust if necessary

Corporate/InstructionalCorporate/Instructional Great area to make money freelance producing, directing, shooting editing Great area to make money freelance producing, directing, shooting editing Instructional design training will help you in this production venue Instructional design training will help you in this production venue