Production Design Plan - one legged bird productions · screenshots, mood boards) with detailed annotations that describe why you have chosen that particular inspiration and how it

ProductionDesignPlan

VCEMediaUnit3–AreaofStudy1

MediaProductionDesignWrittenbyHelenaMooreandAshleyHallAdaptedfromabookletbyKerrenDiamond,NorthcoteHighSchool

Unit3&4Media:PDPGuide

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Thispageis,like,totallyblank.

Exceptforthisbitandtheotherstuff.


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Contents

AssessmentofyourSAT...........................................................................................................4

ProductionExercises................................................................................................................5

MediaProduct..........................................................................................................................5

ProductionDesignPlan............................................................................................................6

PDPRequirements...................................................................................................................7

PDPSections............................................................................................................................8Inspiration..........................................................................................................................................8Intention..........................................................................................................................................11Audience..........................................................................................................................................11StyleandGenre................................................................................................................................14TechniquesofEngagement...............................................................................................................15Treatment/OutlineofContent........................................................................................................16Script(filmandanimation)................................................................................................................16Article/sorText(printandphotography)..........................................................................................16Storyboard(filmandanimation)........................................................................................................17Mock-Upsand/orPageLayouts(printandphotography)...................................................................20ShotList(film)...................................................................................................................................21AssetsList(animation)......................................................................................................................21Typography......................................................................................................................................22Lighting(film,printandphotography)...............................................................................................22Shading/Colouring(animation).........................................................................................................23MusicandSoundEffects(filmandanimation)...................................................................................23PaperStockandPrinting(printandphotography).............................................................................24TitlesandCredits(filmandanimation)..............................................................................................25PresentationandExhibition(printandphotography)........................................................................25CharacterDescriptions......................................................................................................................28ProductionTimeline.........................................................................................................................28Costume,Props,SetDesign,Location(film,photographyandprint)..................................................29VisualDesign/Sketches(animation)..................................................................................................30CastingChoices.................................................................................................................................31Equipment/SoftwareChoicesandJustifications................................................................................31SpecialistTechniques........................................................................................................................31AudienceFeedback...........................................................................................................................32Reflection.........................................................................................................................................32


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AssessmentofyourSATTherearetwopartstoyourassessment:Part1(Unit3):AttheendofUnit3youneedtohavesubmittedyourPDPandyourtwofinishedproductionexercises.Onceyoudothatyouareawardedan‘S’forUnit3andyouaregivenbackyourPDPsoyoucanrefertoitwhilemakingyourproduct.Part2(Unit4):Earlyinterm3yourproductisduesoyou’llneedtohandinyourfinishedproductANDhandbackyourPDPwithanyannotationsthatyouhavemade.Iwillthenfillinthefollowingcriteriasheetandawardyourmarksaccordingly.Youareassignedamarkona10-pointscale:1-2VeryLow

3-4Low

5-6Medium

7-8High

9-10VeryHigh

Therearesevencriteria:

1

UseofMediaequipment,applicationsand/orprocessestopresentideasand/orachieveparticulareffectsinaMediaform.

Theseareyourtwoproductionexercisesandthewrittendocumentationthataccompaniesthem.

2

Developmentandpreparationofamediaproductiondesignplaninaselectedmediaformforaspecifiedaudience.

ThisisyourentirePDP.

3

Applicationandunderstandingofstyles,codesandconventionsappropriatetotheselectedmediaform.

Thisreferstoyour‘style/genre’page/sinyourPDPalongwiththewayinwhichyouapplythoseconventionsinyourfinishedpiece.

4

Realisationofanindividualoradistinctivemediaproductappropriatetotheintentionfortheselectedaudience/sthatdemonstratesappropriatestyle.

Thismeansyourfinishedproductiswell-structured,coherentandconsistentinqualitythroughout.Itreferstohowwelltheideasandconceptsarecommunicatedinthefinishedproduct.

5

Skillintheoperationofequipmentanduseofmaterialsandprocessesappropriatetotheselectedmediaform.

Thismeansthatyouunderstandthelimitationsandpossibilitiesoftheequipmentyouareusingandthatyouhaveskilfullycompletedyourproductwiththisinmind.

6 Managementoftheproductionofamediaproduct.

Thisreferstohowwellyoumanagethemultipleelementsofyourproduct,includingyourtimemanagementandhowyoucopewithproblems.

7 Realisationoftheproductiondesign

planinthemediaproduct.

Thismeansthatyouhavedevelopedahighlydetailedplanandthatyourfinishedproductmatchesthatplan.Thereshouldbeevidence(annotations)thatyouhaveusedtheplanduringtheprocessandtheseshoulddemonstratethatyoudevelopedstrongskillsandknowledge.


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ProductionExercisesThefirstpartofyourSATrequiresyoutoplan,undertakeandevaluatetwoproductionexercises(Unit3,AreaofStudy2:MediaProductionSkills).ItisrecommendedthatyourecordtheseinyourPDP,eventhoughtheyarenotactuallyaPDPrequirement,becausethatwayeverythingyouneedforyourSATiskepttogether.Thepurposeoftheseexercisesistogiveyoutheopportunitytotrialspecifictechnicalskillsthatyouwillneedforyourmediaproduct.Forexample,ifyouknowthatyouwanttocolourgradeyourfinalproduct,oneofyourexercisescouldbefocusedoncolourgrading.Theexercisesshouldallowyoutodevelopanddemonstratetheappropriateskillsinequipmentuse,softwareapplicationsormediaprocesses.Thereisnopointincreatingaproductionexercisearoundequipmentorsoftwarethatyouarealreadyproficientin,asyouwillnotbelearninganynewskills.Likewise,youshouldbecarefultoensurethateachexerciseisclearlyfocusedonlyontheskillyouwanttolearn.Forexample,ifyouwanttodemonstratemaskingskillsinPhotoshop,youshouldnotspendhourstakingthe‘perfect’photograph,asthatisn’tthepointoftheexercise.Eachexerciseneedstobepresentedinthreesections:

• StatementofIntention(purposeofexercise,relevancetoproduct,skillsrequired);• EvidenceofProductionExercise(annotatedpictures/screenshotsofyourprocess);• StatementofEvaluation(extenttowhichintentionwasrealised,whatyoulearned).

MediaProductThemajorfocusofyourSAT,obviously,isthecreationofyourmediaproduct(Unit4,AreaofStudy1:MediaProcess).BoththeproductionexercisesandyourPDParedesignedtofacilitateyourabilitytocreatethatfinalmasterpiece.ThisdoesnotmeanthattheexercisesandPDParelessimportantorrequirelesseffort–infact,it’stheopposite!Youneedeffectiveplanning(PDP)andskilldevelopment(exercises)tocreateafantasticproduct.Keepinmindthatyourproductisaschoolassessmentandthereforeisexpectedtoupholdtheschoolvalues.Thismeansthatyoushouldcarefullyconsiderthecontentofyourfinalproduct.Wherepossible,avoidcontentiouscontentsuchasswearing,nudity,drugsandextremeviolence.Keepinmindthatasyouarecreatingyourproductasaschool-basedassessment,youaresubjecttothesamelegalandmoralresponsibilitiesastheschool.Whenindoubt,discussitwithyourteacher.Youmaychoosefromavarietyofmediaformswhenproducingyourproduct.Theseareoutlinedinfullonpage23ofthestudydesign.Themostcommonlychosenoptionsare:

• Film:3-10mins,includingtitleandcreditsequences;• Animation:30s-10mins,includingtitleandcreditsequences;• Photography:minimumof10originalsourceimages(thesemaybecombined);• Print(e.g.magazine,zine,poster):minimumof8pagesorlayouts.


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ProductionDesignPlanTheProductionDesignPlan(PDP)consistsofallofthepre-productionplanningforyourproduct.Itshouldbewellorganised,detailedandspecific.Thinkofitthisway:ifaliensabductyoubeforeyouhavecompletedyourproduct,yourclassmateswill(ofcourse)wanttocompleteitinyourhonour.YourPDPneedstobedetailedandspecificenoughtoenableyourclassmatestocreateyourproductexactlyasyouhadenvisionedit.YoumustcompleteyourPDPbytheendofUnit3topasstheunit.YoucannotbeginworkingonyourproductuntilyourPDPhasbeencompletedandsubmitted.However,onceyoubeginworkingonyourproductyoucan(andshould)annotateyourPDPwithexplanationsofanyproblems,discoveriesorminoralterationsthatmayoccurduringtheproductionprocess.Remember:yourPDPisNOTavisualdiary.Therefore,eventhoughyoudoneedtoincludepagesofideas,youdon’thavetodoasmanyasinStudioArtorArt.YourSATcontributes37%towardsyourStudyScoreandyourPDPisaveryimportantcomponentofthat.ThecriteriabelowoutlineshowyourSATwillbeassessedoverallandindicatesintheright-handcolumnwhichspecificassessmentcriteriarelatedtothePDP.FurtherinformationabouthowyourSATisassessedisonthelastpageofthisbooklet.UseofMediaequipment,applicationsand/orprocessestopresentideasand/orachieveparticulareffectsinaMediaform

Developmentandpreparationofamediaproductiondesignplaninaselectedmediaformforaspecifiedaudience

Yes

Applicationandunderstandingofstyles,codesandconventionsappropriatetotheselectedmediaform

Yes

Realisationofanindividualoradistinctivemediaproductappropriatetotheintentionfortheselectedaudience/sthatdemonstratesappropriatestyle

Skillintheoperationofequipmentanduseofmaterialsandprocessesappropriatetotheselectedmediaform

Managementoftheproductionofamediaproduct

Realisationoftheproductiondesignplaninthemediaproduct

Yes


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PDPRequirements

Film Animation Photography&PrintInspiration Inspiration Inspiration

Intention Intention Intention

Audience Audience Audience

StyleandGenre StyleandGenre StyleandGenre

TechniquesofEngagement TechniquesofEngagement TechniquesofEngagement

Treatment Treatment OutlineofContent

Script ScriptArticle/sorText(if

relevant)

Storyboard Storyboard MockUpsand/orPage

LayoutsShotList

ShotList

Assetslist Typography(ifrelevant)

Lighting Shading/Colouring Lighting

MusicandSoundEffects MusicandSoundEffects PaperStockandPrinting

TitlesandCredits TitlesandCreditsPresentationand

Exhibition

CharacterDescriptions CharacterDescriptions CharacterDescriptions

ProductionTimeline ProductionTimeline ProductionTimeline

Costume

VisualDesign/Sketches

Costume

Props Props

SetDesign SetDesign

Location Location

CastingChoices CastingChoices(vocals) CastingChoices

Equipment/Software

ChoicesandJustifications

Equipment/Software


Equipment/Software


SpecialistTechniques SpecialistTechniques SpecialistTechniques

Audiencefeedback Audiencefeedback Audiencefeedback

Reflection Reflection Reflection

PastSeasonofExcellencePDPscanbefoundhere:http://www.atomvic.org/season-of-excellence/


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PDPSectionsInspirationYoushouldaimtocompileaminimumoffifteenpagesthatoutlineandexplaintheinspiration/sforyourmediaproduct.Therearelotsofdifferentthingsthatcouldinspireyou,butsomeobviousexamplesare:

• Specificfilms,photographs,animationsormagazines;• Specificartists(photographers,animators,directors,actors,models);• Colourpalettes;• Graphicstyles;• Genre/s;• Mood/s;• Nature;• Music.

Yourpagesshouldcombineimagesofyourinspirations(e.g.photographs,drawings,screenshots,moodboards)withdetailedannotationsthatdescribewhyyouhavechosenthatparticularinspirationandhowitwillinfluenceyourfinalproduct.Youcouldalsoincludecopiesofanyplanners(e.g.mindmaps,PMIs,etc.)thatyouuseduringthebrainstormingprocess.AspartofyourInspirationsectionyoushouldalsoincludethefollowing:

• Research(e.g.intoparticularstyles,conventions,concepts,timeperiods,skills,etc.);• Trials(e.g.ofnewskills,ofparticularlightingset-ups,etc.).

YoumayfindthatyourInspirationpagesbecomeoverwhelmingandseemtooverlapwithotherPDPsections.AneffectivewaytomanagethisistogroupyourInspirationpagesundersubheadings.Forexample,youcouldhaveapageoflightinginspirations,apageofactinginspirations,andsoon.Thiswillhelptoorganiseyourthoughtsandalsomakeiteasiertoseetheconnectionbetweenyourinspirationsandyourdesignchoicesinthefinalproduct.

MaryMcGillivray:TopDesign2014


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OliviaMeisel:TopDesign2014


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JamesEmbry:TopDesign2014

LauraKatelinNicol:TopDesign2013


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IntentionThisisa300-500wordstatementthatarticulatesthepurposeforyourmediaproduct.Inyourstatementyoumayaddressthefollowing:

• Whatideas,concepts,themesorissuesdoyouwantyourproducttoexplore?

• Whatdoyouwantpeopletothinkaboutorconsiderwhentheyengagewithyourproduct?

• Whyareyoumakingthisproduct(donotsayitisaschoolassessment)?

• Whatotherworkhasinspiredthisproduct?• Whatconventionswouldpeopleneedtobe

familiarwithtoappreciatethisproduct?• Whatsymbolismand/ormotifsareyouusing

inyourworkandforwhatintendedpurpose?Remember:whileyoumayneedtorefertokeyplotpointsinordertoexplainyourintention,youshouldnotbedescribingyourentireproductinexcruciatingdetail-thatcomeslater!AudienceThisisa300-500wordstatementarticulatingyourtargetaudience/s.Itshouldincludeadescriptionofwhotheyare,whattheirexpectationsandknowledgemightbe,andwhytheywouldbeengagingwithyourmediaproduct.Inyourstatementyoumightaddressthefollowing:

• Relevantdemographicinformation,e.g.age,gender,socioeconomicstatus,etc.• Whatothermediaformsandtextsdoesyouraudienceengagewith?• Whatknowledgedoesyouraudiencebringwiththem?Whatconventionsetc.are

theyawareofandexpectingfromyourproduct?• Whataspectsofyourmediaproductwilltheyengagewithandwhy?

Ifyoudonoteffectivelyidentifyyourtargetaudience,youcannotpossiblyreceivefullmarksforAssessmentCriteria2:‘Developmentandpreparationofamediaproductiondesignplaninaselectedmediaformforaspecifiedaudience’.It’simportantthatyouareveryclearonexactlywhoyouraudienceisandwhytheywouldengagewithyourtext–avoidmakinggeneralisationssuchas,“Mytargetaudienceisanyonewholikestoexperienceloveandpassion”.


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ByMikeMatters,NorthcoteHSMedia

Startbyidentifyingwhatmediaformyouwillbeworkinginandwhatgenre/style.

Givearationaleforwhyyourconceptisimportant/interesting

Feelfreetousedotpointstoquicklyandsuccinctlyoutlinesomekeyideas

Sometimesit’susefultopointoutwhatyouareNOTintendingtodo,inordertoclarifyyourconcepttoareader


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Discusswhatothermediayouraudienceusesandhowtheyengagewithit

Usespecificexamplestohelphighlightyouraudience’sactivities.

IdentifyifyouraudiencebelongtoagroupthatiscommentedonintheMedia.

Politicalviewsmayberelevant

Explainwhyyouraudiencewillbeinterestedinyourproduct.

ByLucyFoskey,NorthcoteHSMedia


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StyleandGenreStylereferstoaparticularappearanceorprocedureforhowsomethingisdone.Itreferstothemannerinwhichitisdoneasseparatefromitscontent.Inmediatherearevisualstyles,whichsharecommonconventionsandthereforelookasthoughtheybelongtogether.Genreisacategoryofamediaformthatsharescommonconventions.Thesearecategoriesthatdon’tjustshareastylebutalsomightsharecontent.Somewaystotalkaboutstyle:Typeofstyle ExamplesStylistictechnique Handheldcamera,chiaroscurolighting,

longtakes,desaturation,blackandwhite,panoramic,naturalistic

Stylisticmovement Filmnoir,Surrealism,GermanExpressionism,FrenchNewWave

Notedmediapractitionerswhohaveestablishedstyles

Hitchcock,Burton,Tarantino,Gilliam

Otherwordstodescribestyle Bohemian,romantic,industrial,eclectic,cold,warm,grungy,chic

Somewaystotalkaboutgenre:Mediaform ExamplesFilm Sci-fi,rom-com,western,indie,comedy,

dramedy,thriller,horrorPrint Fashion,music,bridal,fitness,travel,

cookingPhotography Photoessay,documentary,travel,nature,

underwater,artistic,glamour,landscape,portrait

TherearetwomainwaystopresentyourStyleandGenreinformation:

• Writtendescription;• Annotatedimages.

Eithermethodisacceptable(oracombinationofboth),aslongastherelevantinformationiscovered.Annotatedimagesarerecommendedastheyallowyoutopre-visualisethestyleofyourproduct.ThismethodmayoverlapwiththeInspirationsection.Note:thedifferencebetweenstyleandgenrecanbetricky,andeventheexpertsdon’talwaysagree!Aninterestingargumentaboutwhetherfilmnoirisastyleoragenrecanbefoundhere:http://cinemastyles.blogspot.com.au/2011/02/film-noir-is-not-genre.html


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TechniquesofEngagementThissectionisallaboutjustifyingyourproductionchoices.Itexplainsthepurposeandintendedeffectofeveryelementwithinyourproductwithaspecificfocusonhowandwhyitwillengageyouraudience.Forexample,youmighthavedecidedtocreateafilmshotentirelyfromthemaincharacter’spoint-of-view,asthoughweareseeingthroughhis/hereyes.Inthissection,youwouldexplainthattheuseofpoint-of-viewshotsisdesignedtoengagetheaudiencebyencouragingthemtoidentifywiththemaincharacterandalsobypresentingthenarrativeinalessconventionalmanner.Obviously,thissectionreliesonyouhavingalreadyidentifiedyourtargetaudience.Youwillneedtokeepreferringbacktotheminyourdiscussionofthewaysyouwillengagethem.Techniquesofengagementcanbetrickytowrapyourbrainaroundsometimes,soagoodapproachistobreakitintosubheadings(e.g.‘Camera’,‘Soundtrack’)asthisallowsyoutofocusonspecificgroupsoftechniques,ratherthanattemptingtoexplaineverythingatonce.

Identifyanysubgenresitbelongstoanddescribeothertextsthataresimilar

Relatetheconventionsofthegenrebacktoyourpiece

JackWynne:TopDesign2012

JamesEmbry:TopDesign2014


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Treatment/OutlineofContentTheterm‘Treatment’isgenerallyusedforfilmandanimation,whereas‘OutlineofContent’isusedforprintandphotography.Thiscanoftenbereferredtoasthe‘pitch’.Insimpleterms,itisanoverviewofyourentireproductthatisdesignedto‘sell’youridea.Itshouldbeapproximately2-5pageslong,writtenlikeashortstory(i.e.prose,nodot-points)andinthepresenttense.Keepinmindthatdetailedinformationsuchasscripts,storyboards,draftarticlesandmock-upswillhavetheirownsectionslateron,thereforeyoudon’tneedtoincludethemhere.Afilmoranimationtreatmentshouldpresenttheentirestory(includingtheending),withreferencetosomekeyscenesanddialogue.Anoutlineofcontentforprintshouldsummarisethearticlesandtheiraccompanyingimages,whileanoutlineofcontentforphotographyshouldexplaintheoverallstory,themeormessagethatwillbeconveyedbydescribingeachoftheimagesintheseries.Hereisabreakdownofhowtowriteafilmtreatment:http://www.movieoutline.com/articles/how-to-write-a-treatment.htmlScript(filmandanimation)Thisneedstobecorrectlyformattedusingstandardconventions.Youcanreadabouttheconventionshere:http://tinyurl.com/scriptformatNote:Mostprofessionalssaythatonepageofcorrectlyformattedscriptshouldequalonepageofactioninafilm.Sothatgivesyouanideaofhowlongitshouldbe.YoucanalsousefreewaresuchasCeltx,whichhelpfullyformatsthescriptforyou!DownloadthefreeversionofCeltxhere(youdon’tneedtheproversion):Mac:http://download.celtx.com/2.9.7/Celtx-2.9.7.dmgPC:http://download.celtx.com/2.9.7/CeltxSetup-2.9.7.exeArticle/sorText(printandphotography)Ifyouarecreatingaprintproductsuchasazineormagazine,youwillneedtowritethearticlesyourselfandrecordyourdraftsinthissection.Likewise,ifyouareincorporatingtextintoyourphotography,orcreatingaprintproductsuchasaposterormagazinecover,youshouldoutlinethetexthere.


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Storyboard(filmandanimation)Astoryboardallowsyoutovisualiseandplanyourshots,alongwithcameramovement,sound,lightingandacting.Itisadetailedplanofwhatyourfilmwilllooklike,whichisusefulasaguidelinewhenfilmingandbecomesessentialwhentryingtoexplainwhatyouwantashottolooklike(e.g.iftalkingtoactors,crew,etc.).Considerthefollowingrationale:

“…Adirectorstoryboardsjusttovisuallycheckthattheshotswillcuttogethercorrectlyandlooklikewhatheorsheintends…Storyboardsinthismannerareessentialforchoreography,productiondesign,specialeffects,andvisualeffects.Sayyouwantaninjafightingadinosaur.Theninjawillbeshotinreallifebutthedinosauris3D.Youneedthestoryboardsothatyouknowwheretoframetheninjawhenyou’reshootingitsothatyouhaveroomforthedinosaur.”

-30MinuteFilmSchool(https://mubi.com/topics/30-minute-film-school-script-breakdown-shotlists-storyboarding-and-scheduling)

Therearetwomainwaystodesignastoryboard:

• PenandPaper(i.e.drawings);• Camera(i.e.photographs).

Therearealsoseveraldigitaloptions(e.g.Photoshop,CeltXShot,Cinemek,Pages)buttheycanbeverytime-consumingifyouareunfamiliarwiththem,soyoushouldtakethisintoconsiderationwhenchoosinghowyouwillconstructyourstoryboards.Generallyspeaking,yourstoryboardshouldconveyinformationabouttheshottype,cameraangles,cameramovementandsound.Therearenumerousdownloadabletemplatesthatcanbeobtainedforfree,butsomearebetterthanothers,socheckwithyourteacherfirst.Hereisabasicguidelineonstoryboardlength/detail:Low Approximately5pagesAverage Approximately10-15pagesSuperstar 30+Ontheabovescale,thisexamplequalifiesas:‘solowit’sunderground’.

Boymeetsgirl Theygetmarried Everyoneishappy


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OptionOne:DrawingsStickfiguresarenotacceptablebutyoudon’tneedtobeafantasticartisttodrawastoryboard.

Usecirclesandshapestohelpbuildafigure

Two-pointperspectiveisgreatfordrawing

housesandbuildings.JustGoogle“Howtodrawintwo-pointperspective”forarefresher.

IndyMogulhassomegreatadviceonhowtostoryboardwhenyou’renotgreatatdrawing.Youcanwatchithere:www.youtube.com/watch?v=ux_Em1lVsjI

RileyMuscat:TopDesign2014


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OptionTwo:Photographs(RECOMMENDED)

Thebigadvantageofthismethodisthatitgivesyoutheopportunitytovisualiseyourshotsandframingintheactuallocationyouwilluse,whichmeansthatyouarealreadyconsideringlighting,generalmise-en-scèneandpotentialobstacles(e.g.Isitactuallypossiblegetthecameraangleyouimagined?Willthestreetbequietenoughtofilmin?).Itisnotabsolutelynecessarytotakephotosonlocationbutitdoeshelp.Youalsodon’tneedtotakephotosofyouractualactorsforthis,youjustneedastand-insothatyoucanvisualiseeachshot.Remember:thepurposeofthestoryboardistovisualiseyourfilmshot-by-shot.Youwillnotbemarkedonyourphotographyskillssodon’twastetimetryingtomakeeachphoto‘perfect’!

JackWynne:TopDesign2012


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Mock-Upsand/orPageLayouts(printandphotography)Thisistheequivalentofastoryboard.Youneedtodesignwhateachimageand/orpagewilllooklike.Thisenablesyoutopre-visualisethecompositionofyourwork.Youshouldalsoannotateyourworktoprovidefurtherinformationsuchascolouringandlighting.

Photography:Youshouldincludedescriptionsofalltheelementsofeachphotograph(e.g.lighting,colour,model,editing)onthesamepageasthemockup.Thismakesitreallyeasytoarticulateeverythingyouneedforeachofyourimages.

Print:Youneedtoshowhowthetext,graphicsandimagesareallgoingto‘look’onthepage.Thisincludesnotjustthephysicalarrangementbutalsothetextdetails(e.g.size,fontandcolour)alongwithallofthesamedescriptionsthataccompanyaphotographicmock-up(seeabove).

AshleyMuraca:TopDesign2012

MeganJenkins:TopDesign2012


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ShotList(film)Thisisgenerallythedocumentthatisreferredtomostduringtheproductionstage.Ashotlistisessentiallyalistofalltheshotsinyourfilm,whichyoucanthenuseasachecklisttoensurethatyoudon’tleaveanythingout.Makinganaccurateshotlistwillalsohelpyouwhenplanyourshootingschedule,asyou’llbeabletoquicklyidentifyalloftheshotsneededataspecificlocation.Apre-madeshotlisttemplateisavailablefordownloadhere(courtesyofBrettLamb):http://lessonbucket.com/filmmaking/shotlists/AssetsList(animation)Anassetisessentiallyeverythingthatyou’regoingtodrawinyouranimationscenebyscene.Whenanimating,it’safarmoreefficientprocesstodrawabsolutelyeverythingyou’regoingtoneedfirstandthenstartanimatingonceyou’vegotallofthoseassetscompleted,ratherthandrawingandanimatingasyougo.Thisway,you’llhaveamuchclearerideaofeverythingthat’sgoingtohappen,andeverythingyou’llneed,inthescenesbeforeyoustart,ratherthaneffectivelywingingitasyougo.Thinkofitasmise-en-scèneforanimation.Ifyouranimationhasasceneinitwhereacharacterischattingtoabarmaninapub,thentheassetsyouneedtodrawforthatscenemayinclude:thecharacterdoingthechatting,thebarman,thebar,thebarbackgroundwithdifferentbottlesofliquoronit,beerglass,beertaps,barstool,othercustomersinthebackground,cashregister,etc.,soyourassetlistwouldsimplylistalloftheseelementsso

youdon’tleaveanythingoutinthecreationprocess.Ifyourcharacterdoingthechattinginthatsceneturnsaroundatonepoint,yourassetlistmayalsorequiredifferentversionsofyourcharacterfromvaryingperspectives.ProgramslikeAdobeFlashare2Danimationprograms,soyoucan’tjustdrawacharacterfromoneperspectiveand

thenrotateitina3Dspaceifyouneedittomove.Youwillactuallyhavetodraweachoftheseperspectivesandthen

putthemtogetherinananimatedsequencetomakeitlooklikethecharacterismoving.Animationisoftenaboutusingperspectivesandanglestogivetheillusionofcharacterandcameramovementwhenthereactuallyisn’tany.Itisagoodideatoconsidertheseforyourcharacterswhenyou’refirstdoingyourcharacterdesignsandsketches.Theyareknownasmodelsheetsandlookliketheoneabove(source:http://sites.psu.edu/schneiderrclblog/page/2/)Thisiswhereyou’lldraweverypossibleposeandeveryfacialexpressionyourcharacterisgoingtoneed.Youthensimplylistwhichposes/expressionsyou’llneedinyourscenealongwitheverythingelsewhenyou’recreatingyourassetlistlater.

EmmaSchneider:ModelSheet


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TypographyIfyouhavetextinyourproductthenyouneedtodecidewhattypographyyouaregoingtouseandwhy.Thisisn’taVCDfoliosoyouDONOTneedtodopagesandpagesoftypographydesignswithtrialsanderrors.Yousimplyincludethetypographychoicesthatyouhavemadeforyourproductandexplainwhyyouhavemadeeachchoice.Therearelotsofwebsitesthatofferfreedownloadablefonts,including:

• http://www.dafont.com/• http://www.fontspace.com/• http://www.fontsquirrel.com/• http://www.urbanfonts.com/free-fonts.htm

Herearejustsomeofthetermsthatyoucanusetodescribetypography:

• PointSize:Howlargeorsmallyourtypeis.• LineLength:Howlongyourlinewillgoforbeforeyoustartanewone.• Leading:Thedistancebetweentwolines.• Kerning:Thedistancebetweentwoletters.

Lighting(film,printandphotography)Inthissectionyouneedtodescribethelightingyouwilluseandplanoutyourlightingarrangements.Youshouldprovideexplanationsforyourlightingchoicesanddescribethe‘look’thatyouareworkingtoachieve.Anylightingset-upsthatwillberequiredshouldbemappedouttoindicatehowmanylightswillbeusedandhowtheywillbearrangedinordertoachievethedesiredaesthetic.


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Shading/Colouring(animation)Shadingandcolouringistheanimationequivalentoflightingandshouldbeascarefullyconsideredasitwouldbeifyouweremakingalive-actionfilm.Ifasceneinyouranimationisgoingtobeinthedark,thenyouneedtoplanhowyouwillshadeandcolouryoursceneandcharacterstogivethatimpression.Ifasceneismeanttobespookyandominous,howwillyouuseshadowstoassistwiththisfeeling?Becauseyoudon’thaveliterallightstouseforyouranimation,thewayyoushadeandcolourdifferentaspectsofyourcharactersandsceneshelpsconveythisimpressionandaddstotherealismofyourcreation.Hollywoodproducedanimationshaveteamsdedicatedsolelytolighting,justasalive-actionfilmwould.

MusicandSoundEffects(filmandanimation)Musicisavitalcomponentoffilmandanimationasitcansettheoveralltoneandmoodforyourproduct.Inthissectionyoushouldlistyourmusicchoices,includingthedetailsofwheneachpiecewillbeheardinyourproduct.Youshouldalsoexplainwhyyouchoseeachpieceofmusicanddescribeitsintendedeffectontheaudience.Remember:youshouldalwaysobtainpermissionfromanartistbeforeusingtheirmusicinyourproduct.Otherwise,ifyoucan’tgetpermission,youshoulduseroyalty-freemusicsuchasthepiecesavailablethroughIncompetech(http://incompetech.com/music/).Or,ifyoufeelthatyoucanmanageit,youcouldcomposeyourownmusic!Ifyouarecomposingyourownmusicyoushouldrecordanydocumentationthatoutlinesyourprocess,suchasbrainstormsordrafts.Obviously,youshouldalsoincludeacopyofthefinalcomposition(bothscoreandlyrics,ifrelevant).Anysoundeffectsshouldalsobelistedinthissection,alongwithabriefjustificationofyourchoices.Forexample,whydidyouchoosethatparticularsqueakingnoise,insteadofanother?Again,itisalwayspreferablytouseroyalty-freesounds.Mosteditingprogramshavesoundsbuilt-in,otherwisetherearesoundsavailablethroughGarageband,oryoucandownloadfreesoundeffectshere:http://www.soundlibrarian.com/sound-effects.html

Aryctek:DeviantArthttp://aryctek.deviantart.com/


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PaperStockandPrinting(printandphotography)Inthissectionyouneedtodescribeandjustifyyourprintingchoices,includingwhatkindofpaperstockyouaregoingtouse.Thetypeofpaperandtheprintingmethodthatyouchoosewillgreatlyinfluencetheoverallaestheticofyourproduct,soyoushouldnotjustassumethatit’sokaytoprintitontheA4printerpaperthatwehaveatschool.Remember:forauthenticationreasons,youmustprintyourworkatschool.PaperStockWhenconsideringpaperstockyouwanttothinkabouttheweightofthepaper(whichishowthickitis,measuredinGSM)andthefinishofthepaper(gloss,matte,pearl).Differentpapersareassociatedwithdifferentstylesandgenressoyoushouldensurethatyourchoicematchesyourchosenstyle.K.W.Doggettstockahugerangeofpapers,offerexpertadviceandevensendoutsamples!Youcanbrowsetheirrangehere:http://www.kwdoggett.com.au/

MethodsofPrintingYouneedtoconsiderwhichprintsettings(e.g.glossy,matte,etc.)willworkbestforyourproductandworkbestwiththepaperstockthatyouhavechosen.Obviously,becauseyouhavetoprintatschool,youarerestrictedtothecapabilitiesoftheschoolequipment.TheprinterthatwehaveintheMediaroom(CanonPixmaPro-1)printsuptoA3andinformationaboutit(includingwhichpapertypesitsupports)canbefoundhere:http://www.canon.com.au/en-AU/Personal/Products/Home-and-Office-Printing/Inkjet-printers-and-all-in-ones/PIXMA-PRO-1FortestprintsyoushouldusethecolourphotocopierintheiCentre/StudyCentre.

AshleyMuraca:TopDesign2012


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TitlesandCredits(filmandanimation)Noprizesforguessingwhatgoesintothissection.Youneedtowriteoutyourtitlesandcreditsastheywillappearinyourfinalproduct,accompaniedbydescriptiveannotations.Herearesomethingsyoumightliketoconsiderwhendescribingyourtitlesandcredits:

• Font;• Size;• Colour;• Effects;• Movement(e.g.scrolling);• Transitions(e.g.fadein/out);• Background(e.g.blackscreenor

overlayingashot);• Timing(i.e.whentheywillappearin

yourproduct).PresentationandExhibition(printandphotography)Thissectioniswhereyouneedtoplanhowyouwillpresentand/orexhibityourproduct.Keepinmindthatforauthenticationreasonsyoumustberesponsibleforthepresentationofyourwork,includinganymountingorbinding.Strictlynooutsourcing!Somethingstoconsiderforphotographyare:

• Orderofimages;• Locationofexhibition(e.g.innercitygallery,café,etc.);• Presentationstyle(allinarow,agrid,3-by-3square,etc.);• Papersize;• Paperstock;• Printingoptions;• Border(colourorborderless);• Mounting,framingorbinding.

Somethingstoconsiderforprintare:

• Modeofaccess;• Papersize;• Paperstock;• Printingoptions;• Layoutorbinding;• Orderofimages.

Printlayout:INGInsurancemagazine


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MountingThisisthemostcommonlyusedpresentationmodeforphotographsandprintlayouts.Itencompassesarangeofdifferentdesignsthatallinvolveattaching(mounting)yourprintedworkontoatypeofframeorbacking.Moststudentschoosetomounttheirworkonfoamcore,whichisessentiallyasheetoffoamboardcoveredoneithersidewithcolouredpaperorcard.Itisavailableinblackorwhiteandcomesinavarietyofsizes.Tomountaphotographorprintlayoutontofoamcore:

1. Covertheboardinalight,thinlayerofsprayadhesive;2. Carefullylaythephotographorprintoverthetop,beingcarefultolineuptheedges;3. Usingadrycloth,ruboverthesurfaceofthephotographorprint,pressingfromthe

centreandthenmovingoutwards(thisensurethatitadherestothefoamboardandalsosmoothsoutanyairbubbles).

Othercommonlyusedmethodsincludewindowmountingandfloatmounting.Youcouldalsoexploremoreuniquevariationssuchaspresentingphotographsinsideaboxormountingyourimagesontoapieceoffurniture.Remember:forauthenticationreasons,youmustberesponsibleforthemountingofyourownwork,includingthecreationofanypropsordisplaysthatyoumaywishtoincorporate.

WindowMount FoamCoreMount

FloatMount


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BindingThisprocesscanbeabittrickyandtimeconsuming,butifit’sdonewellitcanlookveryimpressive.Ifyoudodecidetobindyourwork,however,youshouldallowplentyoftimeforpractisingthetechniques.It’salotharderthanitlooks!Dependingonthetypeofbindingyouchoosetodo,youmayneedtocreatethecover/jacketforyourworkaswell,sogiveyourselftimetodoitcarefullyandneatly.Otherwise,ifyoutrytorushtheprocess,yourworkwilljustlookamateurish.Therearelotsofdifferentbindingstyles(notjusttheonesshownbelow)thatallcarrytheirownparticularaesthetic,somakesureyouchooseonethatreflectsthetoneofyourproduct.Forexample,aphotobookofintrospectiveblack-and-whiteportraitswouldlookridiculousboundinfluorescentmaterialwithmismatchedbuttonsdownthespine.Amuchmoresuitablebindingwouldbeasleek,blackhardcover.Similarly,akitschyzineaboutDIYcraftprojectswouldlooksillyencasedintheformalityahardcoverbinding;amuchmoresuitablechoicewouldbeaJapanesebindingusingknittingyarnandbeads.Remember:youdonothavetobindyourwork.Photographscanbepresentedframedormounted,andmagazinescanbepresentedaspagelayouts.Bindingtakespracticeandpatience,soyoushouldonlychoosethisoptionifyouarepreparedtospendtimelearningandperfectingthetechniques.

Thisisnotgood.

SpiralBinding

Five-holePamphletStitch

JapaneseBinding


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CharacterDescriptionsBeforeyoucanbegincastingforyouractors/models,youneedtobeclearonthecharacteryouwantthemtoportray.Foreachcharacteryoushouldprovideasummaryoftheirkeyphysicalattributes(e.g.haircolour,eyecolour,height,build),asthiswillhelpyouwhenitcomestimetostartcasting.Itmaybehelpfultoincludepicturesofactorsormodelswhofittheappearanceyouarelookingfor–obviously,youwon’tbeabletoactuallycastBenedictCumberbatchinyourmasterpiece,butifyouincludeapictureofhimitmakesitclearerexactlywhatyouhaveinmindforyourcharacter.Youshouldalsoannotatethesepicturestomakeitclearwhichattributesyouwantinyourowncharacters/models.Forfilmandanimationcharactersyoushouldalsoincludeanoverviewoftheirpersonality,motivationsandanyotherrelevantinformation(e.g.physicalmannerisms,accents).Thiswillagainbehelpfulwhenitcomestocasting/animating,andwillalsobeinvaluablewhenexplainingtoyouractorhowyouwantthemtoperform.Italsodemonstratesthatyouhavethoughtaboutyourcharactersbeyondsimplygivingthemnamesanddialogue.Again,itisrecommendedthatyouincludepicturesofcharactersfromotherfilms/animationsthatyoufeelhavesimilaritieswithyourowncharacters.Thesepicturesshouldofcoursebeannotatedtodescribewhattraitsyouwanttodrawoninthecharactersthatyoucreate.ProductionTimelineThisisanessentialcomponentofyourPDPandyourproductoverall.Thisiswhereyouplanyourentireproductionprocess,includingpre-andpost-production,takingintoaccountawholerangeoffactorssuchascastandlocationavailability,weather,andofcoursethetimeneededtocompleteeachtaskalongtheway.Itisimportanttobedetailedandspecificwhenwritingyourtimelinesothatyouknowexactlyhowmuchtimeyouhavetoworkwith.Inotherwords,don’tjustblockoutthreeweeksonacalendarandlabelit‘production’!Breakitdownintoindividualcomponents:locationscouting,propssourcing,assetdrawing,shoots,editing,printing,etc.Remember:productsarerarelycreatedinorder!Planyourtimelinetomaximiseefficiencyratherthanattemptingtoworkinchronologicalorder.Forexample,ifyouarecreatingafilm,andyourfirstandlastscenesbothtakeplaceinthesamelocation,plantoshootbothscenesinthesameday.Thisisafarmoreefficientwayofworking,andifyou’vecompletedyourstoryboardsandshotlistproperlyitshouldbeeasy!Likewise,ifyouarecreatingamagazineyoucouldplantocompleteallofyourphotographsinasingleweekend,ratherthantakingthemprogressivelyasyoucompileeachpage.Finally,itisalwaysusefultoallocatemoretimethanyouthinkyouwillneedtocompleteeachtask.Therealityisthatsomethingwillalmostcertainlygowrongatsomestageinyourproductionprocess,soit’sgoodtogiveyourselfasafetynet!

You’rewelcome,ladies.


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Costume,Props,SetDesign,Location(film,photographyandprint)Thissectionisfairlyself-explanatory!Yourfocusshouldbeonpre-visualisingand/orsourcingeachofyourcostumes,props,setsandlocations.Asalways,annotatedpicturesareessentialtorecordexactlywhataestheticyouareaimingfor.Picturesoftheactualcostumes/props/sets/locationsyouhavesourcedshouldalsobeincluded.Therearealsosomespecificconsiderationsthatyouwillneedtotakeintoaccount,asoutlinedbelow.Hereisaquickoverviewofsomethingsyoushouldconsiderandincludeinthissection:Costume

• Dotheyneedtohavespecificqualities(e.g.isitessentialtohaveaspecificbrandofjean,orwouldanypairofjeansbesuitable)?

• Doyou(oryourcast)havethecostumesalreadyorwillyouneedtosourcethem?• Wheremightyousourcespecificcostumes?• Willyoubesewinganycostumes?Ifyes,whatmaterialswillyouneedandwhat

pattern/swillyoufollow?Props

• Dotheyneedtohavespecificqualities(e.g.isitessentialtohaveareddialphone,orwouldanytypeofphonebesuitable)?

• Doyouhavethepropsalreadyorwillyouneedtosourcethem?• Wheremightyousourcespecificprops?• Willyoubeconstructinganyprops?Ifyes,whatmaterialswillyouneedandhowwill

youconstructthem?• Willyoubeusinganyweapons(e.g.replica/toyguns)?Willtheybeusedinpublic

spaces?(Note:thereareveryspecificrulesaboutusingreplica/toyweaponsinapublicspaceandyouwillprobablyneedtodiscussyourintentionwithlocalpolice).

SetDesign

• Willyoubeconstructingaset(orpartsofit),orusinganexistinglocation?• Ifyouareconstructingaset(orpartsofit),whatmaterialswillyouneedandhow

willyouconstructit?• Ifusinganexistinglocation,whatneedstobeadded/moved/altered?

Location

• Isiteasilyaccessible?• Ifyouneedtosetuplights,arethereaccessiblepowerpoints?• Doyouneedtoobtainclearance(e.g.fromlocalcouncil)?Ifso,documentation

grantingyouclearanceshouldbeincludedhere.• Doyouneedtodisruptapublicspace(e.g.byfilmingachasesequence)?Again,you

willprobablyneedtoobtainclearancefromlocalcouncil/policeandshouldattachtherelevantdocumentationhere.


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VisualDesign/Sketches(animation)Thisiswhereyouneedtodesigneachofyourassets.Forhand-drawn/2Ddigitalanimation,thismeanscreatingmock-upsofeachcharacter…plusdifferentmovements…plusbackgroundsandprops.(Forstop-motionanimationyoudon’tneedtoworryaboutthissection.Storyboardswillbefine.)Forallcharactersyoushoulddesigntheirmainlookandappearance,takingintoconsiderationsuchthingsascostuming,hair,bodymovements,etc.Youmayalsowishtoconsiderwhatsortofcharactertheywillbe:willtheybegoofy,funny,handsome,strongornerdy?Howwillyourartworkconveythis?

Practicedrawingyourcharacterswithdifferentmoods,facialexpressionsandreactions,andalsopracticedrawingthemfromdifferentangles.Onceyou’vegotyourcharacterlookingjusthowyou’dlikethemfromafront-onperspective,trydrawingthesamecharacterwiththesamestanceandexpressionfromaside-onperspective.Itcanbeverytrickytogetacharactertolookthesamefront-onandside-on,soit’simportanttopracticeasyou’regoingtoneedtodraw

themfromallsortsofanglesanddistances.Asuitableworkaroundisn’ttosimplymakeyouranimationallfront-onwideshots!Youshouldalsodrawcompletescenesinthissection.Drawbackgrounds,clouds,buildingsandalltheotherthingsthataregoingtoassistwiththeeffectivenessandrealismofyouranimation.Additionally,youmightconsiderfamiliarisingyourselfwiththe12basicprinciplesofanimation.DevisedbyDisneyanimatorsinthe1930s,the12principlesarerulesdevisedtoaddrealismandbelievabilitytoanimatedcharacters.Anexampleofwhattheyareandhowtheylookinactioncanbeseenhere:https://vimeo.com/93206523

Otherthingsworthconsideringaredrawingallofthedifferentmouthshapesyou’llneedforyourcharactersifthey’regoingtobetalking.Youcangenerallygetawaywithdrawingonlytenmouthshapestocoverallofthedifferentposesneededforconvincinganimatedconversation.Youmightalsoliketodothisforthewalk-cycleofyourcharacters:drawthedifferentposesnecessaryforthemtolookasthoughthey’rewalkingconvincingly.Walk-cyclesareoftentrickytodraw,sothemorepracticeyoudointhissectionofallthedifferentposesanddrawingsyou’llneed,thesmootherthecreativeprocesswillbelater.


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CastingChoicesThisiswhereyourecordthedetailsofyouractors(includingvocalactorsforanimation)ormodels.Youshouldincludeaheadshotofeachcastmember,alongwithbasicdetailssuchasname,ageandcharacter.Youshouldalsoincludeabriefexplanationastowhyyouchosetocasteachperson.Forexample,wastheresomethingabouttheirappearance(orvoice)thatyoufeltworkedforyourcharacter/model?Remember:donotchooseyourcastbasedonyourfriendshipgroup.Yourfriendsmaybethegreatestpeopleintheworld,butthatdoesn’tmeantheycanact!EverycastmemberwillneedtosignamediareleaseformbeforebeginningworkonyourproductandyoushouldthenincludethesesignedformsinthissectionofyourPDP.CopiesoftheformscanbefoundintheblackdrawersoutsidetheMediastoreroom.Equipment/SoftwareChoicesandJustificationsThissectionisprettystraightforward:outlinealloftheequipmentand/orsoftwareyouwillusetocreateyourproductandexplainwhyyouhavemadethosechoices.DoNOTstate,“Becausethat’swhatwehaveatschool”.Yourjustificationshouldfocusoninformationsuchasthecapabilitiesoftheequipment/softwareandtheaestheticitwillhelpyoutoachieve.Forexample,ifyouweredoingphotography,youmightexplainwhyyouchosetoproducedigitalphotographyratherthandevelopingfilm(hint:“wedon’thaveadarkroom”isnotanacceptablejustification).Youshouldincludepicturesoftheequipmentyouwillbeusing,aswellasanoverviewofitsspecifications.Similarly,youshouldtrytoincludeascreenshotofthesoftwareyouwilluse.SpecialistTechniquesIfyouareplanningtouseanyspecialisttechniquesineitheryourproductionorpost-productionstagesyoushouldoutlineandexplainthemhere.Youneedtooutlinewhyyouhavechosentoincludethespecialisttechniqueandexplainhowthetechniqueistobeachieved(thismayoverlapwithyouEquipment/SoftwareChoicesandanytrialsyourecordedinyourInspirationpages).Rememberthatyouneedtodiscussyourchoicesintermsoftheirintendedeffectonthetargetaudience.Somespecialisttechniquesyoucouldconsiderusingare:

• Film:CGI(AfterEffects),colourgrading,masking.• Animation:rotoscoping,2D½.• Photography:selectivefocus,contrast

manipulation,colourcorrection,Photoshop.


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AudienceFeedbackGiventhatyouarebeingassessedonyourabilitytocreateamediaproductforaspecifiedaudience(seeAssessmentCriteria2),itisimportanttoobtainfeedbackfromyouraudiencebeforesubmittingyourwork.Thisfeedbackwillenableyoutodeterminewhetherornotyourproductisachievingitsintentionandeffectivelyengagingyourtargetaudience.Somequestionsthatyoumaywishtoaskyouraudienceare:

• Istheproductengaging?Explainyourresponse.• Whatdoyoulike/dislikeaboutit?Why?• Whatdoyoubelievethepurposeoftheproductis?Why?• Arethereanyimprovementsyoucanrecommend?

Itisuptoyouatwhatstageofproductionyouseekaudiencefeedback.Whilstitisobviouslymostusefultowardstheendoftheproductionprocess,asthatwillallowyouraudiencetoviewthefinishedoralmost-finishedproduct,youmayalsofindithelpfultoseekfeedbackatkeystagesalongtheway.Forexample,youmayseekfeedbackonyourinitialconcept,thenonyourscriptorarticles,thenonyourfinishedproduct.Remember:audiencefeedbackisonlyusefulifyouallowyourselftimetouseit!Don’tseekfeedbackonthedaybeforeyourproductisdue,becauseifyoudiscoverthatanelementisn’tworking,youmaynothaveenoughtimetochangeit.Ideally,ifseekingfeedbackonyourfinishedproduct,youshouldallowaweektobuildonaudiencefeedbackandapplythefinal‘finishingtouches’toyourmasterpiece.ReflectionAlthoughthisislistedasasectionofyourPDP,itshouldnotbeaddeduntilafteryourentireproductiscompleted.ThismeansthatitwillbeaddedinafteryourPDPhasbeensubmitted.Thissectionisa300-500wordstatementthatevaluatesthesuccessofyourproductionandreflectsontheproductionprocess.Inyourstatementyoumightaddressthefollowing:

• Whatdid/didn’twork?Why?• Whatissuesaroseduringproduction?How

weretheyresolved?• Whathaveyoulearned?• Whatwouldyouchangeifyoumadeyour

productagain?• Whatareyoumostproudofinyourproduct?


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Thisistheendofthebooklet.Like,forreals.Youhavetogoanddosomeworknow.Gobecreativeandstuff.Youlittlerockstaryou.

Documents

Production Design Plan - one legged bird productions · screenshots, mood boards) with detailed annotations that describe why you have chosen that particular inspiration and how it