The commissioning process and working as a writer

In this essay I am going to be discussing the commissioning process and the specific roles of certain people in the commissioning process and the role of the commissioning bodies. 

One of the main job roles in the commissioning process is the commissioning editors. The commissioning editors have the power to decide whether something can go in to production. They have the main role in the process in deciding what is suitable and what isn’t. The producer’s role is to be the main source that is involved creatively. They are overall responsible for the production. They have to have good qualities such as being good motivators, negotiators and creative. They also have a lot of say on the finished production. They also have to have the ability to spot when something is wrong with the production and work out how it can be corrected.

The director’s job in the commissioning process is to handle the project budget and schedule. The director’s job can start weeks and months before the production has even begun. They also have to look after the production cast and crew and ensure they’re all doing their jobs properly. The script editor’s job is to provide an overview of the screenwriting process and have most of the say in the structure of the screenplay. The agent’s role is to provide all of the artists and actors that are going to be used in the production. Their role is to spot that would be good for certain roles and decide what characters these actors would be. Writers are responsible for doing all the research on the subject that the screenplay is about and developing a narrative for the screenplay. The writers have a lot of say in the creative side of the screenplay and the finished production itself.

Commissioning bodies;

There are different corporations such as the BBC writers room that have screenplays sent to them that could be considered to be used in productions. However, smaller production companies may not have the funding to produce various screen plays. Funding would also be a big problem for independent producers and directors because they may need the funding to produce what they want but don’t have it. Organisations such as Script Factory exist to promote screen writing and get people to send them their stuff. As well as this, there are many other organisations that people can send their scripts too. Competitions such as the London screenwriter’s festival get people involved in screenwriting and give them the opportunity to gain prizes such as for their screenplay to be used in a production.

The role of the writer throughout production;

One of the main roles of the writer thought out the production is the pre production planning. This can include making sure that everything before the production is set in place before the production starts. Also, the writers would have to keep editing the script in order to get it perfectly how they want it to be and making sure that everyone involved with the production process is happy with the script. As well as this, they have to work with the producer and director of the production to come to agreements. For example, if the producer doesn’t like something about the script they may be seen as inappropriate for the genre of film, the producer and writing would work a way around how to improve the script. Finally, the writer would make adjustments during the production stage; this could be the case if the actors are acting out a screen that only then the writer that feels that it’s not right. Therefore would make adjustments to the script.

Working as a writer;

In terms of working as a writer, writers have agents that find them work. It’s mainly the writers that want to be taken seriously that have agents to find them jobs to do. Writers get royalties to whatever money the screenplay makes. Also, the agent gets 10 per cent of the fee what the writer makes. The writer has a role within his profession to be professionally dressed and well presented. This also has to be taken into consideration in their righting that also has to be professional and taken seriously by the writer in order to make a script high quality. A writer has to be good at time keeping and making sure that the script is done on time and to a tight time schedule. This would involve how much time it would take to plan the script, write the script and also edit the script.

If the writer doesn't produce the script before a deadline, this could lead to them losing the job of writing the script and damaging their reputation. As well as this, a writer has a lot of legal and ethical issues to take into considerations. Screenwriters have to be careful not using anyone else’s work which could be seen as copyright or plagiarism. If they were caught doing this they could face being sued. As well as this, writers have to be careful of their target audience. Censorship means that if they are writing something that has the target audience of young children, there wouldn't be swear words or bad language in the script or production.

Styles, Conventions and Techniques PowerPoint

Screenplay: Sex, Drugs and Rock and Roll

Single Camera Techniques

In this essay I will be looking at single camera techniques that are used in film and television. Single Camera techniques have become very popular in recent years with audiences and broadcasters and are mainly used for drama series. With the popularity of Single Camera techniques increasing, this means that there will be more job opportunities for people that specify in using this technique. In this unit, I have been looking at single camera techniques and bringing it together with everything that I have learnt over previous units to develop my ideas my productions.

Single Camera techniques means using only one camera. Using only one camera is effective because it builds suspense in a drama or horror. It’s a technique that is very effective and grabs the interest of the audience into the production. Sometimes single camera shots aren’t always used if a scene has to be filmed that may contain a stunt. Single camera techniques are effective because it allows the audience to see from every character’s perspective. When filming a single camera production it is split up into sections of scenes and requires the actors to film the scene several times from different angles. This is effective as it allows the actor to get into the character.

Lighting in a single camera production becomes much easier to have control over. This is because all of the shots of the scene are shot individually. For example, if shooting a scene with multiple cameras, the lighting must be the same as each shot that each camera is taking. If not, the lighting looks inconsistent. Whereas shooting with a single camera makes the scene look a lot more fluent and makes the style the scene has been shot look effective.

Using sound in single camera techniques requires professional and decent sound equipment as built in microphones on cameras isn’t good quality. High quality equipment would include using a boom mic or separate microphones for each person. If the sound that is used on a production is good this can improve the production a lot. It makes it clearer and easier to follow. When filming with single cameras, one of the requirements to use overlay. This means to leave a little bit at the start and end of each scene to make sure that the whole scene was captured. Some of the dialogue used in the scene isn’t often used from the same take. It’s normally dubbed over the top of various takes. If shooting an over the shoulder shot or cutaways that it isn’t essential to see the character that is speaking.

Coverage is important in filmmaking because in comparison to digital storage, film is expensive. However when filming digital video it is much cheaper, this means the director can shot as much as he wants including the rehearsals because cost isn’t an issue. Before filming it is essential to work out how many hours of film you have and what of it you need. This can take a long time and cost money. When shooting a scene, it is essential to shot the scene from a variety of angles so that there is enough coverage to use after finishing filming. This way, no scenes have to be reshot.

All of the editing in single camera production takes place after the film has been filmed in an editing studio. If filming is needed at one location but for a number of scenes, filming is done all at the location at the same time. At a specific location it could be for a number of scenes or just one. Multiple camera productions such as sports events or talent contests are normally edited live. For example, whilst filming the Olympic Games, the editing would have been done live. The cameras would flick from each camera to get it from different perspective. This however wouldn’t work using a single camera as it would be boring for the viewer at wouldn’t allow them to look up close at the action.

Filming a single camera production must be planned and prepared in detail. This is because if a scene hasn’t been filmed and is not on the coverage, the cast and crew have to go back and shot the scene or if because of financial issues or time schedule filming is impossible, then the scene that hasn’t been shot would have to be cut out of the production. Many scenes are not filmed in the order of the script; however the production team would look at the script and can decide what needs to be filmed, when and where.

When building a script these points are important to the development of it. Firstly, building the story of what is going to happen in the production and what the audience is going to like and relate to. The structure and style of the production would make the production more real and the characters and plot of the production is what the audience are going to be interested in. When considering what to have in a scene, the main points are the location it is set, the characters in the scene and the progress in which the scene helps the story to develop.

There are many genres that use single camera techniques but some are more common than others. A period drama is set in the past and using a single camera creates an atmosphere of a specific period in time. Period films and TV shows are often about adventure or romance. Set, props, and costumes have to be taken into consideration when filming a period drama. Drama Documentaries combine dramas and documentaries together to dramatize what the documentary is about. Crime dramas also use single camera techniques in order to show from the point of view of the villain or detective. TV show such as ‘Sherlock’ uses single camera techniques.

Horror films use single camera because it makes the production more real and make it more personal and make the audience scared if a specific part of the production is meant to be frightening. Soap operas such as ‘EastEnders’ and ‘Coronation Street’ normally use multiple cameras to film however some are filmed using a single camera if for example there’s only one person in the scene. However, Brookside was filmed with single camera technique.

As well as the same as soap operas, comedy shows are also used using multiple cameras but a comedy series such as scrubs is used using single camera. Comedy is good with multiple cameras because if a character says something funny, it’s good to see the other characters reaction which could also be amusing.

Whereas the Linear is where narrative follows the sequence of a beginning, the middle and an end sequence. The Non-Linear format is where there isn’t a sequence and the story is told through flashbacks throughout. A realist narrative aims to show a realistic of a character or an event where as a non-realist narratives that the audience can see is fictional.

An open ending often occurs in a film where the audience are left with a cliff-hanger which could lead to either another episode or film being made about what happened next. This is used in the film ‘Castaway’ as we know that the character escapes of the island but we don’t know much about what he did after that. A closing ending occurs when there is a conclusion or resolution to the storyline. This would leave the audience satisfied as they know what happened. This is often used in romance and action/adventures. A series is a sequel of episodes that run over a period of time in each series which eventually come to an end. For example, ‘Sherlock’ is series and episodes in each series.

A serial is a continuously running set of episodes. A prime example of this is soaps such as Coronation Street which has been running for more than 50 years. A single drama is a single episode with the story being told in one episode.

The advantages of single camera techniques consist of the director having more control over the production and the scenes don’t have to be shot in order so the cast and crew are not waiting to film certain scenes. Also, multiple runs of doing a scene allows actors to get into character and if they make a mistake it can easily be repeated. The disadvantages are it can be a long process filming, whilst filming there could be continuity errors costs more money. Advantages of multiple camera shots consist of continuity are less frequently and the filming can be done quicker. The disadvantages consists of the lightning can be hard to control and the director has little control. A single camera set-up moves in the scene to make it more realistic and looks as though it comes from someone’s perspective. An example of this is ‘Peep Show’ as the camera moves around the room and shows from perspective of characters. I think that single camera techniques are very effective when used and also a lot easier to handle as there is more control over the production.

The purpose of Music Videos

The purpose of this essay is to evaluate the purpose of music videos and to see how over recent years as technology has advanced, so has the music video. As well as technology, many media outlets such as social networking sites, YouTube and television have enabled many artists to get a name for themselves and gain success. The emergence of music videos occurred in 1975 when Queen made the music video for their hit song “Bohemian Rhapsody” and marked the beginning of music videos today. The video was one of the first to use advanced video effects.

With the emergence music videos there were a lot of opportunities in promoting the artist, song, record company and directors. One way in which bands tried to promote themselves in their videos was having the band name on the drum kit on it and costume was a way of sticking out of the crowd to be recognised. One band that used to do this a lot was the Beatles in all of their promos for their songs. As well as this, a famous artist could also ask another recognised name to collaborate with them on the making of the video which promotes both parties. For example, in Noel Gallagher’s music video “What a Life!” Russell Brand who is a well-known face, plays an acting role in the video. This may make people watch the video as Russell Brand is well known personality in film and show business.

Many artists market themselves differently and have different production strategies in order to appeal to the public and engage them with their video. Depending on the budget and how famous the artist is dictates the quality of the video. For example, Jake Bugg’s video ‘Seen it all’ is a low budget music video because he is a new musician. Therefore the record company wouldn’t want to take a risk on spending a lot of money on a music video in case Jake Bugg wasn’t successful after the release of his song. However, a well-established artist such as Beyoncé would have a bigger budget for a music video. However, in some cases a lot of artists have been ‘made’ from making a video on a low budget. This has been made possible due to media outlets such as YouTube and social networking sites which allow unsigned artists to put their music on the internet without it costing anything. One of the most famous artists to be recognised through YouTube was Justin Bieber. He self-produced his own videos of his performances and is now regarded one of the biggest artists in the world. Many artists aim to do something different with their videos in order to promote their song.

Royalties are given to the artist and record label for their song being played on the radio and their music video being played. However, it is near impossible to track when the music videos are being played due to the vast number of media outlets available. Therefore, the royalties are paid to the artist due to the popularity of the artist and song. Throughout the years there has been an increased on the media outlets that allow the consumer to watch music videos. This is a good thing for the artist because it allows people to watch their video on various different music channels. However, for the media outlets it’s not so good because of all the competition with each other to get a bigger audience.

One of the main media outlets is the internet with sites such as YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and other social networking sites where it is free and easy to access music videos. Another is music channels that start of way back in 1981 with the launch of MTV. With this, more and more music channels emerged; some examples are 4music, Kiss, Viva. One of the main advantages of these media outlets is that it allows the consumer to access of watching their favourite artists wherever they want as it is possible to access videos via mobile, web and TV. It also potentially the artist more recognition and popularity. The disadvantage of growing number of media outlets that a lot of people watch a lot of stuff from lots of various media outlets, so chances of getting attention is lessoned.

Synergy has been used for many years through media. Walt Disney came up with the idea of using synergy to promote Disney products and expand the brand of Disney. For example, if a production company wanted to use a Disney product in a music video, the production company would pay Disney a lump sum and also get their name or logo put into the music video which advertises Disney. Also, if an artist is using a song for a soundtrack for a movie, clips of the movie could be used in the film to promote the film. An example of this is in the song “Nickelback, Hero” clips from the hit film ‘Spiderman’ are used to promote the film as the song is used as the soundtrack to the film. Merchandise or clothing range is also used in music videos from various artists to promote products. This is often used by artists such as Lady Gaga who wears clothes from her clothing range to promote it and also Liam Gallagher to promote his Clothing range ‘Pretty Green’.

One of the main reasons why I think music videos are so popular is because fans of artists can watch their music videos wherever they are. It’s free to use if you have internet access and is much preferred to than buying the videos of ITunes or from a music shop. It also allows unsigned artists the chance to gain some recognition and a record deal if people like their music and style and It also gives people that made the video recognition.

Pre-production: Music Video

Finished Music Video

Planning: Abduction

Pitch: Abduction

Pre-production: Abduction

Risk Assessment Abduction