Video Project Planning Process

1
Video Project Planning Process

• Narrative, Documentary, Ad/PSA and
  Corporate/instructional
• Video production

2
Program types

• Narrative - story, drama, comedy, creation of
  the artists, directors, writers mind
• Independent, studio produced
• Documentary - real story, not created by
  writer, tells a true story with real footage
• NOT journalism, not necessarily balanced
• Many approaches

3
Program types

• Ad/PSA
• Short persuasive message
• 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
• Sponsor must be identified. Air time purchased
  or donated

4
Program types

• Corporate, Institutional, Educational
• Great variety in projects ranging from internal
  communication to external programming.
• Educational - message gets to remote students,
  and is consistent and efficient
• Corporate - same benefits, consistent message
  all Gap shirts folded the same way, Mickey Ds
  friesall the same
• Many non-broadcast uses of video name some

5
Narrative (story/feature)

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

6
Narrative (story/feature)

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

7
Documentary

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

8
Documentary

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

9
Documentary

• Production
• 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 programs captured as
  unplanned story unfolds.

10
Documentary

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

11
Advertisement / Public Service Announcement

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

12
Advertisement / Public Service Announcement

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

13
Advertisement / Public Service Announcement

• Production
• Contract first, then shoot. What will be
  delivered, when, in what format?
• Get the details in writing length, approval
  authority, etc
• Editing
• Testing - pre-broadcast, post-broadcast

14
Corporate/Instructional

• 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!
• Contract w/details.
• Research topic approach main points to be
  communicated, length of project, screening
  environment.

15
Corporate/Instructional

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

16
Corporate/Instructional

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

17
Corporate/Instructional

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