BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Creative Media Production

UNIT 27 & Unit 4:

Assignment Title: Factual Programme Production & Project Management

Date Set: September 2012 Date Due: January 2013

Assessor: PH Learner:

Rationale:

Factual Programme Production is one of the largest areas of television output, providing an extensive range of opportunities andprofessional roles within the industry. This sector is the main communicator of information in relation to worldwide events, local issues oropinion, and attitudes within society, from the most serious global issues to the purely entertaining. It provides enormous scope for potentialproduction ideas. The genre includes news, documentary, educational, review, chat shows, ‘reality’ TV and other sub­genres. It involvesengagement with the key media issues of representation, objectivity, subjectivity and communication of meaning.There is a wide range of opportunities for the development of creativity both within the production process and in the topic or subjectcontent, including opportunities for learners to work on projects that they find personally interesting and challenging.

The Project Management unit gives learners the opportunity to enhance their skills through the planning and management of a mediaproduction. Learners can expect to gain experience in production management from the initial origination and researching of an idea,through the pitch, to managing a production team or a part of one, taking personal responsibility for the effectiveness of the productionprocess. Learners will develop the ability to play a key part within a production, and will be given opportunities to demonstrate themanagement qualities, individual focus and appropriate collaborative skills needed for a successful production.

Scenario:

You have been commissioned to make a short documentary for an online film festival

Learning Outcomes:

Factual Programme ProductionOn completion of this unit a learner should:

1 Understand issues relating to factual programming for television2 Understand codes and conventions of factual programming for television3 Be able to plan and research a factual programme for television4 Be able to produce a factual programme for television.

Project ManagementOn completion of this unit a learner should:

1 Be able to originate, develop and research an idea for a media product2 Be able to pitch a proposal for a media product3 Be able to manage a production process to create a media product.

Grading Criteria:

Pass Merit Distinction

To achieve a pass your work must: To achieve a merit your work must: To achieve a distinction your work must:

Factual Programme Production

P1 describe issues relating to factual televisionprogrammes with some appropriate use ofsubject terminology

M1 explain issues relating to factual televisionprogrammes with reference to detailedillustrative examples and with generally correctuse of subject terminology

D1 comprehensively explain issues relating tofactual television programmes with elucidatedexamples and consistently using subjectterminology correctly

P2 describe codes and conventions of factualtelevision programmes expressing ideaswith some appropriate use of subjectterminology

M2 explain codes and conventions of factualtelevision programmes with reference todetailed illustrative examples and withgenerally correct use of subject terminology

D2 comprehensively explain codes andconventions of factual programmes withelucidated examples and consistently usingsubject terminology correctly

P3 plan and research a factual programme fortelevision working within appropriateconventions and with some assistance

M3 plan and research a factual programme fortelevision effectively showing someimagination and with only occasionalassistance

D3 plan and research a factual programme fortelevision to a quality that reflectsnear­professional standards, showing creativityand flair and working independently toprofessional expectations

P4 produce a factual programme for televisionworking within appropriate conventions andwith some assistance.

M4 produce a factual programme for televisioncompetently showing some imagination andwith only occasional assistance.

D4 produce a factual programme for television to atechnical quality that reflects near­ professionalstandards, showing creativity and flair andworking independently to professionalexpectations.

Project Management

P1 originate, develop and research an idea for amedia product working within appropriateconventions and with some assistance

M1 originate, develop and research an idea for amedia product showing some imagination andwith only occasional assistance

D1 originate, develop and research an idea for amedia product showing creativity and flair andworking independently to professionalexpectations

P2 pitch a proposal for a media product withsome appropriate use of subject terminologyand with some assistance

M2 pitch a proposal for a media productcompetently with generally correct use ofsubject terminology and with only occasionalassistance

D2 pitch a proposal for a media product to a near­professional standard consistently usingsubject terminology correctly and workingindependently to professional expectations

P3 manage a production process to create amedia product working within appropriateconventions and with some assistance.

M3 manage a production process competently tocreate a media product to a good technicalstandard, showing some imagination and withonly occasional assistance

D3 manage a production process tonear­professional standards to create a mediaproduct, showing creativity and flair and workingindependently to professional expectations.

What you need to complete this assignmentYou will be expected to present:

This needs to contain:

Important information about the assignment

∙ You need to complete each of the P tasks in order to meet the requirements for a Pass grade.

∙ You need to meet all of the Pass and Merit grade criteria to be awarded a Merit grade.

∙ You need to meet all of the Pass, Merit and Distinction grade criteria to be awarded a Distinction grade.

∙ You should check carefully over each task and look at the assessment criteria before you submit your work for assessment.

∙ If the assessor decides you need to do more work on a task then they will explain what you need to do and set a new deadline for the task.

∙ Students who perform well are those who complete tasks throughout the assessment period of this assignment rather than trying to complete the whole

assignment at the end in a hurry.

∙ Remember copying work from another student, a textbook, an internet site or any other source is plagiarism. You need to sign a statement when your

assignment is completed to state that your assignment is all of your own work.

References

Relevant books:

Relevant Websites:

http://tallismedia.weebly.com/level-3-unit-27.html

http://tallismedia12.tumblr.com/

P1, M1, D1P2, M2, D2

Learning Outcome 1 (Factual): Understand issues relating to factual programming for televisionLearning Outcome 2 (Factual): Understand codes and conventions of factual programming for television

Task(s):1. Introduce Factual Issues (accuracy, objectivity, impartiality, balance, subjectivity, opinion, bias) via

comparison of Bowling for Columbine & Tattooed Tears, introducing film language codes (editing,camerawork, soundtrack & mise­en­scene) as way of analysing the documentaries

2. Write up individual analysis of the 2 documentaries3. Introduce News Conventions (presenters, news headlines, music volume/tone, studio and location

shooting, mode of address to viewer, field reporters, links to studio Interviewing of experts andwitnesses, actuality footage, graphics/animation) via analysis of News at 10 ­ make a popplet in groups toidentify and explain the News Conventions with examples from News at 10.

4. In groups construct paragraphs that identify News Conventions, illustrate with examples from News at 10and explain how the Factual Issues are present within TV News.

5. Write up individual analysis of News Conventions and Factual Issues using News at 10 as illustration.6. Compare News at 10, 60 seconds & Newsround ­ in groups construct paragraphs on popplet identifying

specific conventions (e.g. soundtrack, graphics/animation, presenters) and how the programmesRepresent themselves differently because they have different Target Audiences

7. Write up own comparison of News at 10, 60 seconds & Newsround ­ focusing on Representation andTarget Audience.

8. Documentary Conventions ­ look at expository documentary conventions using ‘The Trap’ as illustration.In groups construct paragraphs on popplet identifying out what the main conventions of expositorydocumentaries are, providing examples from the Trap to illustrate and comparing to Interactive (BFC) andObservational (Tattooed Tears) as explanation of how there are different modes/types of documentary

9. Write up Documentary Conventions ­ identifying and explaining the different types ­ and compare andcontrast different modes/types using own choice of expository documentary and the class examples (BFC& Tattooed Tears) as illustration

10. Cut and paste all analyses in correct order into an essay format in Google Docs11.Write an introduction to the essay ­ based on a basic writing frame generated by students in class and

shared online12. Proofread and improve essay, making sure all parts are analysed in the relevant way and to the level of

detail necessary ­ Assessment for Learning in class to aid this & also provide an essay plan ­ and links toclass notes on website

13.Write the conclusion to the essay ­ considering the relation between codes and conventions,representation & audience, AND the factual issues.

14. Proofread and improve essay focusing on factual issues ­ ensuring terms are regularly used wheneverrelevant ­ and conventions of TV New and documentaries

Learning Outcome 1 (Factual): Understand issues relating to factual programming for television

Grade Completed: Not Completed ­ action required: Date returned:

Pass New Date Due:

Merit

Distinction

Learning Outcome 2: Understand codes and conventions of factual programming for television

Grade Completed: Not Completed ­ action required: Date returned:

Pass New Date Due:

Merit

Distinction

P3, M3, D3P1, M1, D1

Learning Outcome 3 (Factual): Be able to plan and research a factual programme for televisionLearning Outcome 1 (Project Management): Be able to originate, develop and research an idea for a media product

Task(s):

1. Individually generate one initial Idea each for your group’s documentary on Popplet2. Individually carry out a SWOT analysis on popplet for your own documentary idea3. Briefly pitch this idea to the class:

describe what the idea is identify 1 Strength, 1 Weakness, 1 Opportunity and 1 Threat explain relevant Factual Issues for your idea4. As a group identify your FINAL IDEA and produce a detailed SWOT analysis and a paragraph justifying why

you chose this idea over the others5. Develop your Programme Concept ­ What is you documentary about? Identify the point of view/opinion of

your documentary. Explain if it is it biased or balanced, and why? Talk about the FACTUAL ISSUES.6. Provide a detailed definition of Target Audience (CARGEL, SOC, psychographics...) and why your

documentary will appeal to your audience (Uses & Gratifications)7. Detailed Secondary Research ­ Who will your Interviewees be? What archive footage could you include?

What relevant facts and figures could you include?8. Develop Interview Questions ­ differentiate these for different interviewees ­ i.e. you will ask different

interviewees different questions9. Primary Research ­ VIDEO some interviews in the studio and on location ­ as research into what your

interviewees know about your topic, and whether they will be good interviewees, and as research intoyour skills ­ with the camera, with mics... etcetera. This will act as practice for your final interviews and as away of gathering useful primary research/information. Once filmed and edited (briefly) review/evaluate theinterview.

10. Secondary Research ­ Gather audience figures for factual TV viewer watching patterns on BARB(researching competitors and the market for documentaries) for C4, BBC & ITV

11. CONSTRAINTS ­ Costs, Time, Personnel, Resources. LEGAL & ETHICAL12. Planning ­ Location recce, Gantt chart, Interview schedule, Risk assessment, Shooting script, Photo

storyboard, Budget, Equipment Bookings, Permission/Release forms, Contact lists, Call sheets

Grade Completed: Not Completed ­ action required: Date returned:

Pass New Date Due:

Merit

Distinction

P2, M2, D2 Learning Outcome 2 (Project Management): Be able to pitch a proposal for a media product

Task(s):

1. PROPOSAL ­ Develop all your planning and research into a detailed proposal (using Prezi, Keynote,Powerpoint...) specifying:

Your programme concept (i.e. the outline of your documentary). What is you documentary about? Identifythe point of view/opinion of your documentary. Explain if it is it biased or balanced, and why? Talk aboutthe FACTUAL ISSUES.

Target audience ­ and why your documentary will appeal to your audience Your Secondary Research into YOUR TOPIC present what you have found out ­ and how this has given

you ideas or shows the development of your ideas Your Interview Questions ­ making the point not all interviewees will be asked the same and why... Your Primary Research ­ your VIDEO interviews ­ edited and (briefly) reviewed/evaluated Secondary Research into audience viewing figures for factual programmes ­ and the conclusions you

have drawn from these figures Resources needed (cameras, mics etc) AND personnel requirements ­ interviewees and crew (camera,

sound, interviewer(s), who will organise interview locations and interviewee appointments/schedule?) Constraints ­ Costs, Time, Personnel, Resources. LEGAL & ETHICAL Project schedule ­ gantt chart

2. PITCH ­ plan your presentation and present your pitch to the class:

your pitch is the presentation of your proposal

all group members must participate in some way formal presentation (you are marked on this) but lively and animated (your presentations and you) make your presentation as you wish ­ PowerPoint, Prezzi, Popplet, Keynote...

preparation of the materials for your pitch are important it is also important that you rehearse of pitch; so that the delivery of your pitch is the best you can make it ­ not just reading out your proposal, but

presenting it in a professional manner

Grade Completed: Not Completed ­ action required: Date returned:

Pass New Date Due:

Merit

Distinction

P4, M4, D4P3, M3, D3

Learning Outcome 4 (Factual): Be able to produce a factual programme for television.Learning Outcome 3 (Project Management): Be able to manage a production process to create a media product

Task(s):

Factual

Production:

filming of ­ general views, interviews, cutaways/actuality footage film interviews in either the studio and/or shoot on location during filming record the soundtrack (ambient sound/wild track, interviews) after filming record in the studio your scripted voice over(s) source music to be used on your documentary creating graphics and on­screen text

Post­Production:

Editing should be used to:

create the narrative get across your meaning and opinion illustrate your topic (remember the images are used to illustrate the voice over) with archive footage you

have sourced online or with actuality footage you have filmed

Project Management

Planning & Production management:

keep a record of regular team meetings to monitor and review the production process ­ meet and keep arecord of your meetings at the beginning of each lesson ­ these need a written agenda and you need tokeep minutes;

keep to proposed schedule and deadlines ­ if any problems arise during filming, such as equipmentbooking and problems with interviewees appointments... you need to keep a record of this on yourproduction log/team meetings with notes regarding backup/contingency plans for resources, personnel(crew & cast) and logistics (organising filming and interviews and resources are available when needed)

team and individual performance ­ your log should be a truthful account of the performance of your teamas a whole and your team members

log your equipment booking and use the call sheets, all permission forms for locations and intervieweesshould be filled out and signed during filming

your log and team meetings should show that you are monitoring the quality of your filming and editing (i.e.you may choose to re­film and repeat interviews, or review and improve your editing and soundtrack) inorder that your documentary is the highest quality it should be

Grade Completed: Not Completed ­ action required: Date returned:

Pass New Date Due:

Merit

Distinction

Important information about the assignment

You will be marked on each task, But you need to evaluate and review the project at the end in order to determine P,M or D grades You need to complete each of the P tasks in order to meet the requirements for a Pass grade. You should check carefully over each task and look at the assessment criteria before you submit your work for assessment. If the assessor decides you need to do more work on a task then they will explain what you need to do and set a new deadline for the task. Students who perform well are those who complete tasks throughout the assessment period of this assignment rather than trying to complete the whole assignment at

the end in a hurry!

Remember copying work from another student, a textbook, an Internet site or any other source is plagiarism. You need to sign a statement when your assignment iscompleted to state that your assignment is all of your own work!