PRODUCTION PLANNING

C O M M 1 1 9 : B R OA D C A S T P R O D U C T I O N

PRODUCTION PLANNING• So the votes are in and it was close (plus not every student

voted) but the TV PITCH idea we are going with is FINAL BREAK (see details on the next slide). Again, everything we cover in this class should be applicable to any Broadcast Production project but it’s very useful to have a project in mind as we go through the material.• We will use this theoretical show, FINAL BREAK, as a basis for

future assignments and discussions.• Thanks to all you who submitted ideas – every single one of

them was intriguing and full of promise so why not keep working on them for yourselves?

FINAL BREAK INFORMATION• FINAL BREAK: The transition from small farm town in Salt Lake City, Utah to the more

suburban life in Hartsdale, NY will probably be one of the Hecklers, a small polygamous family from Utah, greatest challenges.

• 45 minutes – CABLE NETWORK• Romantic-Comedy/Drama hybrid• Main characters: • David Heckler: The man of the house. Born and raised to a polygamous family and raised

on a small farm. Good natured but usually is blind to low key conflicts. Recently added a new wife to the family who is pregnant. Has the family's best interest at heart. 

• Lisa Heckler: David's first wife. Is not familiar with the polygamous lifestyle but was very aware of the possibility of a new family edition, although not so much open o the idea. Considers herself the "first lady" of the house. Constantly looking to assert her dominance. Has the families best interest at heart but is always secretly plotting against everyone for her own personal gain. 

• Mary Ann Heckler: David's new pregnant second wife. Was born and raised to a polygamous family just not in Utah. Is usually the peacemaker and is always trying to avoid conflict, considering she is the new member of the house. Naive to almost everything that Lisa says because of the experience she already has with David.

• 3 children from David and Lisa’s marriage

PRODUCTION PLANNING• So now we have a production to work towards – that was Step

#1 in our PRODUCTION TASKLIST (Chapters 1, 2, & 3/Weeks #1 & 2) generally titled “IDEAS” which includes:

– COMING UP WITH IDEAS– DISCUSSING IN YOUR GROUP HOW THEY MIGHT WORK– THINKING ABOUT THE STYLE OF THE PRODUCTION

• Now we move onto PRODUCTION PLANNING (Chapters 4 & 5/Week #3 material) which includes:

– PLANNING WHAT YOU’RE GOING TO DO AND HOW YOU ARE GOING TO DO IT

– PLANNING WHO IS GOING TO DO WHAT ONE THE PROJECT

PRODUCTION PLANNING• As your book details, you should think of a production plan like a map – it’s there to help keep you on track and get back on track when/if you wander off the path. SOLID PLANNING IS ESSENTIAL TO A GOOD PRODUCTION!•We are going to deal with planning the shooting of just the PILOT for FINAL BREAK and not the entire series• TV PILOT =A television pilot (also known as a pilot or a pilot episode) is a standalone episode of a television series that is used to sell the show to a television network.

PRODUCTION PLANNING/TIMELINE• The first step to a solid production plan is a TIMELINE

– A Timeline is a way of estimating how long things are going to take– Our Timeline is going to be theoretical but should be taken

seriously nonetheless– Here is our Timeline so far:Tasks

 

What’s involved Start Finish

Ideas This can include:

Coming up with the ideas for your TV show

Discussing in your group how the TV show might work

Thinking about the style of the TV show

 

1/23 1/29

Production

planning

This includes

Planning what you are going to do and how you are

going to do it

Planning who is going to do what on the project

 

1/31 2/5

PRODUCTION PLANNING/TIMELINE• Here’s a great example of how

to approach a timeline using an IF/THEN structure (p. 22). By starting at the end result and working backwards, you can figure how when you need to start. Of course you need to have existing knowledge of how long things typically take and the scope of your particular project to make this work the best for you, but it’s a good approach to use going forward.

When do we have to deliver the project? (DELIVERY DATE)

If we want to submit the final project by

We need to finish the fine cut/mix by

If we want to finish our fine cut/mix by We need the viewing by

If we want to have a viewing by

We need to have our rough cut by

If we want to finish rough cut/rough mix We need to start our edit by

If we want to start our edit We need to finish shooting by

If we want to finish shooting/recording by We need to start filming by

If we want to start shooting/recording by

We need to have our script/outline by

If we want to have our script by

We need to finish our research by

If we want to finish our research by

We need to start our research by

If we want to start our research by

We need to have chosen an idea by

PRODUCTION PLANNING/ALLOCATING TASKS• For your assignment this week you are to allocate the upcoming necessary tasks for our TV Project Pilot – here is a brief lists of those tasks we need for FINAL BREAK:Production Setting up the shoots, organizing all the cast, technicians, and locations.

Dealing with money and permissions. Looking after the production plan and the timing. Making sure everyone knows what they are supposed to be doing and when they are supposed to do it. FOR OUR PURPOSES, EACH STUDENT IS A/THE PRODUCER

Directing On the shoot itself it will involve directing the camera or actors and deciding what shots or sound to get. The director should be responsible for the storyboard, if it’s used. 

Scriptwriting The principal scriptwriter(s) for the program

 Camera work Operating the camera, finding the best shots, looking after any lighting, taking

care of the equipment, checking the rushes, labelling the tapes correctly. 

Sound recording Recording sound, looking after the sound equipment to make sure it’s working properly, making sure all sound is properly checked on the recording day.

Editing Cutting the film in the editing suite.

Costume/Makeup/Props

(related but not the same – 3 different positions!)

Finding all the costumes needed for the shoot. Making sure everything is in the right place at the right time and clean and tidy. Makeup artists will apply any makeup needed. They are responsible for bringing the right makeup to the shoot. Sourcing any props needed for the shoot. Getting them to the shoot and having them ready at the right place at the right time. 

PRODUCTION PLANNING/ALLOCATING TASKS• For our purposes, each of you is a/the PRODUCER for FINAL BREAK and it is your job to identify people who think can handle the other 8 basic tasks:

– DIRECTOR– SCRIPTWRITER(S)– CAMERAWORK– SOUND RECORDING– EDITING– COSTUME– MAKEUP– PROPS

PRODUCTION PLANNING/ALLOCATING TASKS•GO TO WEEK #3 AND DO THE ASSIGNMENT AND CLASS DISCUSSION BY SUNDAY, 2/5 @ MIDNIGHT