1. Callum Saunders
Task 5

2. Different types of research.
There are two key types of research, these are quantitative research and qualitative research. Quantitative research is the research done in a way where information such as: sales of DVDs, box office figures, programme ratings and circulation figures are analysed and inputted into statistical data, usually in the form of tables and charts. Quantitative data is particularly useful when a researcher is wanting facts, as that researcher can use their research gathered and base it on their project that they are working on, for example. Qualitative research is research based on other people’s opinions about a particular topic. Qualitative research is more important when a researcher wants to find out information based on people’s perspective on an issue, such as a TV programme, film or CD. Qualitative research is more useful when, for example, a production team want to make a new movie. They can ask members of the public what their favorite horror film would consist of and then base their findings to help them produce a blockbuster movie. Without people’s opinions, directors and producers would produce a film purely based on what they think a good movie would be.

3. Once a researcher has decided which type of research they will be using, they would then have to decide which method of research would suit their findings best. Methods include primary and secondary research. Primary research is when a researcher uses original research and techniques in order to obtain information through a variety of different techniques. Techniques can include: interviews, either alone or as a group, questionnaires and conducting surveys. By using primary research it allows for the researcher to independently find new data from which he or she can analyse and input into statistical data. Once data has been inputted that researcher can make a decision based on the research he or she has gathered. Secondary research is when a researcher uses someone else’s findings, usually in a book or the internet, to replace or improve their own primary research. Secondary research can include looking in: books, archives, photo and video libraries and journals. Secondary research is widely used amongst researchers as it allows for them to look at another person’s primary research to enhance their own primary research. By using secondary research, you not only improve your own research you also save valuable time.

4. Primary research (strengths and weaknesses).
Both primary and secondary research has its strengths and weaknesses.
Strengths of primary research include:
First hand account of particular topics.
Researchers are typically passionate about the topic in question, meaning that data is more valid.
Information is gathered directly from the public.
Provides a direct insight into the audience’s belief, from which the researcher can instantly interpret his or her results into statistical data.
Weaknesses of primary research include:
Takes a lot of time, especially when conducting focus groups and interviews.
People can lie, which would make the findings unreliable.
Primary research can be costly.

5. Secondary research (strengths and weaknesses).
Strengths of secondary research include:
Less time consuming.
Finding information is easy, especially in the 20th and 21st century due to the introduction to the internet.
Secondary research does not cost much, as access to books, the internet and diaries are cheap, if not free in many countries.
Weaknesses of secondary research include:
The quality of research may be bad and in some cases completely false.
Data may be bias, as the research has not been done by yourself.
Secondary research may not answer the questions you require.

6. Market research is the collection of information about the current market about a product you intend to market yourself. Market research is key when releasing a product to the public, as you can gather information about products that may be similar and use them to make your product more desirable in the tough and challenging market. An example of market research is if you were to release a perfume/after shave, market researchers would collect similar products, identify its ingredients, look at its packaging, identify the target market and work from there to make a product that is more desirable to your target market. Production research is when you generate material for the content of a media product and ensuring that suitable resources are in place and that the finances intended to fund a particular product is securely in place. Production research is required in order to allow for the production process to actually commence. For example, if you were to film a movie, you would be required, as part of the production research, to research into possible filming locations and in the process gather any legal issues that may set you back. Production researchers also thoroughly research and plan production and post-production stages so that everything will run smoothly at the time production and post-production stages are under way.

7. What are the purposes of research?
The purposes of research is to better your product once released in the market. Firstly, researchers will have to take part in audience research so that they can find the right audience to market their product to. Researchers will be required to carry out quantitative and qualitative research using primary and/or secondary research techniques. By using these research methods it allows for the researcher to obtain statistical data such as costs as well as the audience’s opinion on a particular topic. Researchers will then have to do some market research. Market research is important when releasing a product/service to the population as researchers are able to like at similar products/services and how they have become successful in the market. From doing this it allows the researcher to have a clear understanding of how a certain product should be once released into the competitive market. Once audience and market research have concluded, production research must take place. Production research is needed so that you can provide content and gather material that will allow for a company to develop and release a product into the market. If research has not been done then it would be highly unlikely that a person would deliver a good product/service to the market. Research is vital so that you can understand what the public want and what the finished product should look like.

8. Current practice for commissioning scripts.
There are many people involved within the commissioning process of a script. Some of the job roles include: editorial assistant, editorial administrator, assistant producer, producer, executive producer and the commissioner himself. All of which have a variety of different roles however all are a necessity in the commissioning process. When a writer wants their script put forward, he or she must go to the commissioner and pitch their idea. The commissioner will then decide whether or not to invest in the production. A scriptwriter has many different roles and responsibilities involved in the job. They have to conduct research into the story they intend to produce, develop the narrative, write the screenplay itself and then deliver their pitch to high profile film executives. Scriptwriters have to think outside of the box, and usually create fictional characters and worlds to please the viewers. Scriptwriters are creative people who are typically very intellectual people, as a high level of the English language is required in order to produce high quality scripts. Scriptwriting has both negative and positive aspects to it. Positive aspects include: scriptwriters are passionate about their work, so often produce high quality scripts. Also, within the industry scriptwriters get to meet some notable people including executive directors and producers and A-list actors from which they can all learn from one another in the film industry. Also, scriptwriters typically work from home. Scriptwriting does however have its negative aspects, this can include: working long hours and preparing long pitches in an attempt to sell your ‘product’.

9. Current practice for commissioning scripts (cont).
A freelance scriptwriter is a scriptwriter who works for themselves, and is not committed to an employer. This means that they write their own work and sell it on to producers. A commissioned scriptwriter is a scriptwriter who is often directed by the producer to produce scripts and the screenplay for movies. They are employed by the film company and paid by them too. There are many different commissioning bodies that can be involved in the commissioning process of a script. These include cooperation's like the BBC, independent production companies and independent directors/producers. The writer has many different tasks through the process of commissioning a script. Roles include: pre- production planning, script editing, involving the director and producer where the writer asks for advice on how to better the script and shooting script production. A notable screenwriter is Brian Helgelan, who has produced many blockbuster movies including: A Knight’s Tale, Payback and L.A. Confidential. He is one of the most highest paid scriptwriters to date, earning a staggering $2.5 million for his part in A Knight’s Tale. Another notable scriptwriter is Terry Rossio, an American scriptwriter born in the state of Michigan. He has written many scripts, most famously for the Pirates of the Caribbean movies.

10. Legal and ethical considerations.
When working as a writer, the writer usually has an agent representation. This is when a writer hires someone to represent them on important occasions, like press meetings and conferences. They are hired so that they make correct decisions on behalf of the writer. Royal payments are when a scriptwriter receives payment from the film company for the use of his or her scripts and also from the sales of both books and films. Writers need to take necessary steps to legal and ethical considerations they will come across before commissioning a script. Usually, a writer will copyright their work. By copyrighting a piece of work it prevents another person or company from taking any ideas. If this is broken, legal action can be taken. Writers must ensure that their work is not bias in anyway. By using bias work, it can spark controversy between two parties which could result in legal action taken against one of them. Censorship is when explicit scenes that could consist of sex, drug abuse, violence and swearing are taken out of a programme so that it is able to suit a younger audience at an early viewing time. However, once watershed is enforced, programmes featuring sexual scenes, for example, are allowed to be aired on TV. Writers have to ensure that their work is not libelous. This is when they produce a piece of work that acts to defame another organisation/institution. If this has been broken, then that organisation/institution can take legal action. The Defamation Act (1996) is an act created by Parliament with the purpose of protecting individuals and organisations from libel and slander. Defamation occurs when false and damaging information about someone or something is published in an attempt to belittle or defame that individual/oranisation. If the act has been committed, the courts may impose a fine on the person accused of the offence.