Unit 5: Understanding The Requirements of Working to A Brief

Ethan McLaughlin

Task 1:

Formal Brief: A formal brief is when a contract is drawn up. This contract would have the rules and regulations that the client wants production company to follow. These formal brief will have these things within it: Proposal which will be a list of requirements and ideas from the client with specifics about what is to be included. The deadline, this is when the production will be finished, this will be set by the client. Formal contracts also involve a budget, which is how much money will be spent on the production. A treatment will also be created; this shows the production company the ideas for the product that the client has.

There are several advantages to having a formal contract:

It has all the information the client and the company needs. Because a formal contract has a deadline this can encourage better structure and

time keeping skills Having a budget means that the production company can make the product with no

financial issues It helps people from both parties understand the rules and regulations better

However, there are several disadvantages to having a formal contract:

The production company could possibly have a different idea or vision than the client and this could cause issues

The deadline may not be met because of problems with the production

An example of a formal brief would be a project from the Stroke association:

Informal Brief: This brief is from a client without a contract, typically an agreement made between the client and production company. The client will give a brief and idea of the product they would like made but generally leave it to the production company to create, giving some guidance but allowing them to work independently.

There are several advantages to having a formal contract:

These informal briefs have no deadline Gives the production company more creative freedom These briefs have no strings attached

There are also several disadvantages to having a informal contract:

Details are not in a written but are spoken verbally, if there are any communication problems, like he client not being understood, this can cause problems for the production

Without a written document you cannot sue the client if a problem like not being paid occurs

Unprofessional looking if no contract is drawn up

An example of an informal brief that I have worked on would be the palliative care awareness video

Task 2:

Tender: A tender is when a company puts out an invitation for creators to give them a pitch for a specific purpose, for example an advisement campaign. The full details of the extent of their job and payment are stated/negotiated and those interested apply directly to the client. Those most suited to the job and with the most experience are the ones that get the job.Advantages:

Clients can choose they feel can do the job best Job opportunities are based on the person experience

Disadvantages:

Having a budget may cause the quality of the project to be reduced

Contract: A contract is a piece of legally binding written agreement that involves 2 or more parties and is used when discussing work or employment. Some example of things you may see within contract would be, what each client agrees to do, when the project will be finished, the crew list, the method of payment and how the film will be used.

Advantages:

A contract is legally binding Production company will be aware of their budget, payment, time etc

Disadvantages:

Creativity may be limited due to what the client wants

Commission: A commission brief is where a company or person would employ an independent company to create a product or project with certain specifications.Advantages:

Paid to create a product All the details of the project are known and there is no confusion

Disadvantages:

Possibility of unrealistic expectations

Competition: This is when an organization organizes a competition to make a product with an opportunity to win a prize. The competition brief will detail the requirements of the entry, theme, prize and the closing date. An example of a film competition would be the Foyle Film Festival

Advantages:

It will be open to a wider range of people Lots of creative freedom

Disadvantages:

If a team does not win it may feel like all that effort to make the piece was for nothing The theme of the competition can be restricting

Task 3:

Tender:

Northern Film & Media is a creative development agency committed to driving film, TV and digital arts projects. By running a dynamic programme of events, projects, talent development initiatives and an award winning production service from our base at BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art we aim to bring investment into the UK and North East region, whilst creating a screen culture economy where creativity can thrive.

We are now inviting organisations and consultants to submit a proposal for this work.

Your proposal should include:

A brief description of your organisation/area of work A description of how you will approach the requirements for this work, specifically

your response should address the areas listed in section 2. A short description of the expertise that would be applied to this work (including CVs

in appendix). Examples of any previous work which is relevant (maximum 2 examples)

A quote for this work including VAT and expenses. This piece of work is being partially funded by European Regional Development Fund 2007-13

Contract:

ASSIGNMENT OF COPYRIGHT

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, the undersigned assignor,

Name:Address:City:State:Zip:Telephone:

for and in consideration of the sum of ___________ ($X.00) and other valuable consideration, receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, does hereby assign, transfer and set over to the assignee,

Name:Address:City:State:Zip:Telephone:

it's successors and assigns forever, all of its rights , title and interest in and to the musical composition now entitled:

written and composed by _____________________________ together with any and all assignor's existing copyrights therein throughout the United States and the world, and any and all assignor's rights of every kind, nature or description attaching to or which may attach to said musical composition and/or embraces or included in the copyright thereof in the United States and entire world, which said composition the undersigned was originally assigned on _____________, 199_, and was registered with the Copyright Office of the United States of America on _________________________, under Copyright Entry, Class E, Copyright Number ________________. The form U registration is registered on ___________________ in Volume _________________, page __________.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed the foregoing instrument on this _____________ day of ________________ 199_.

ASSIGNEE: By: _________________________

Name:Address:City:State:Zip:

WITNESS: By: _________________________

Name:Address:City:State:Zip

Commission:

Commission to develop and agree ideas for the presentation, execution and design of exhibition. The exhibition has the potential to have a high-impact presence during the Festival period and would lend itself well to exterior and interior presentation in a variety of locations. HPF would welcome applications either from individuals or from arts and research partnerships. Application details: Please send up to 10 images (prints, on CD/DVD or low res if emailed), CV, a project proposal of no more than 500 words, 2 referees contact details and a covering letter highlighting relevant experience and your interest in this commission, to: Caitlin Griffiths Artistic DirectorHereford Photography FestivalFirst FloorSullivan House72 – 80 Widemarsh StreetHerefordHR4 9HGOr email caitlin@photofest.org, with The Hereford Commission in the title.Applications to arrive no later than 5pm on Monday 1st March 2010. Please enclose and SAE for the return of any materials. Shortlisted applicants will be notified by 31st March 2010.Shortlised applications will be notified by 31st of March 2010Competition:

Refuge is national domestic violence charity which provides specialist domestic violence services to 3,300 women and children on any given day. A philosophy of empowerment and equality underpins Refuge’s work. The charity provides non-judgmental, non-directive emotional and practical support, whilst empowering women to rebuild their lives free from violence and fear.

Domestic violence is all about power and control – it is a pattern of behaviour that is purposeful, systematic and deliberate. It can take many forms – physical, emotional, financial, sexual, amongst others. Often there are many overlapping forms of domestic violence which can occur simultaneously. If a woman changes her behaviour because she is frightened of her partner’s reaction she is being abused.

Women who experience domestic violence are strong, resilient and courageous – they are survivors. Scripts and animations must avoid victim blaming.

Students need to illustrate/reinforce women taking charge of their own lives (avoid portraying them as needing rescuing by men or others). The animation should depict domestic violence clearly and there should be evidence of a perpetrator who is purposefully controlling the female character. The

abuse should not feel accidental or random but deliberate and directed. Importantly we need the films to show there is hope, support and safety.

The films will need to strike the right balance of dark and light, whilst ensuring we move relativity quickly towards a positive resolution. Above all the films need to use exceptional creativity to illustrate these complex issues and to make engaging, thought-provoking films that will changes lives.

Primary target audience

Refuge’s role:

* See Refuge as an enabler to accessing safety and support (practical and emotional)

* View women through a lens of being a survivor (not as victims – survivors who are courageous, strong and resourceful)

The film scripts are varied, but we are looking for the films to appeal to women, men and children over 11 years old. The subject matter is a difficult subject to portray, however with the characters being represented as toys and a rich interesting environment as our stage, we are really looking forward to see what you come up with and to working with you as the competition develops!

Task 4:

I was selected to be a part of the BFI (British Film Institute) film academy, which is a course held in the Nerve Centre from October 2015 to March 2016. The course provides young filmmakers with the skills and knowledge that will help them get a career in the film or television industry. At the course we had masterclasses from industry professionals including writer Dave Dugan, Director Damien O’Donnell, Editor Andrew Tohill and Greg Spence, who is one of the main producers on the TV show “Game of Thrones” just to name a few. It was during these masterclasses where I learned a lot of new skills, including how to structure a film script and the 5 W’s. I also learned lots about the shooting of a film, how to use the camera, set up lights, and use audio equipment.

The overall goal of the BFI film academy was to create a short film, and the film whose production I was a part of was “Limbo”. During Limbo’s preproduction stages I, along with the other members of the team, give ideas to various parts of the script including costumes, dialogue, setting etc. During the actual filming of “Limbo” I contributed ideas for shots and lighting. I was the editor of the film and I give my ideas as to show the film would look and feel.

If you are interested in the BFI film academy and want to know more about it, visit my weebly for a more detailed account of my experiences at the course:

ethanmclaughlin.weebly.com