Lesson 8.2: Planning, Conventions Research and Pre-Production

Introduction

In this lesson, we will delve into the planning phase of media production, particularly focusing on conventions research and pre-production tasks. This stage is crucial as it lays the groundwork for your media project, ensuring that you create a product that resonates with your intended audience. By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:

• Research real products in your chosen media form to understand conventions.
• Utilize tools like moodboards, mind maps, and a planning blog/portfolio effectively.
• Develop storyboards, scripts, drafts, layouts, and shot lists as part of your planning process.
• Schedule and resource plan for your project effectively.
• Apply media language conventions deliberately in your production.

Understanding Conventions in Media Products

What are Conventions?

Conventions are the established norms, practices, and features that characterize a particular media form. They include visual styles, narrative structures, and technical elements that audiences expect to see in specific genres or formats. Understanding these conventions is essential as they help you to create a product that meets audience expectations and industry standards.

Researching Conventions

When planning your media project, the first step is to research existing products within your chosen media form (e.g., film, television, digital media, etc.). This process involves:

1. Identifying Similar Works: Look for media products that are similar in genre, style, or purpose to what you are planning to produce.
2. Analyzing Key Features: Examine the visual, auditory, and narrative conventions used in these products. Ask questions like:

• What is the visual style?
• What conventions are used in the storytelling?
• How is the audience engaged?

Example of Conventions Research

Imagine you are planning to create a short horror film. You might research:

• Lighting: Dark, shadowy scenes to create suspense.
• Sound: Use of eerie background music or sudden loud noises.
• Narrative Structure: A climax that builds tension towards a surprise or twist ending.

By analyzing these elements in existing horror films, you will gain insights into the conventions that define this genre and can incorporate them into your own project.

Visual Planning Tools

Moodboards

A moodboard is a visual tool that helps to convey the look and feel of your media product. It is a collage of images, colors, text, and materials that capture the essence of your project. Here’s how to create an effective moodboard:

1. Collect Inspiration: Gather images, color palettes, textures, and other visual elements that reflect the mood you want to convey.
2. Organize Your Ideas: Arrange these elements on a board (physical or digital) to represent the aesthetic direction of your project.
3. Reference for Production: Use your moodboard during production to maintain consistency in style.

Example of a Moodboard

For a romantic comedy film, your moodboard might include soft pastels, images of couples in urban settings, playful typography, and cheerful landscapes. This visual representation will guide your design choices throughout the project.

Mind Maps

Mind maps are another effective tool for organizing your thoughts and ideas. They visually outline the relationships between different concepts related to your project.

1. Central Idea: Start with the central theme of your media product.
2. Branches: Create branches for various elements such as characters, settings, plot points, and stylistic elements.
3. Links: Draw connections between related ideas to explore how they influence one another.

Example of a Mind Map

If your central idea is a documentary about climate change, your branches could include:

• Major environmental issues
• Key interview subjects (scientists, activists)
• Locations for filming
• Potential visual styles (e.g., stark contrasts between nature and urban development)

Pre-Production Planning

Storyboards

Storyboarding is a technique that breaks down your media product into individual frames or scenes. This helps visualize how each part of your project will unfold. To create an effective storyboard:

1. Sketch Scenes: Draw rough sketches of each scene, focusing on key visuals.
2. Add Descriptions: Write descriptions of the action, dialogue, and any important technical notes (camera angles, movements).
3. Sequence: Arrange the storyboard in the order of the narrative flow.

Example of a Simple Storyboard

For a short film about a day in the life of a teenager, a storyboard might include:

• Scene 1: Teen wakes up (shot of alarm clock ringing, close-up of the teen’s face).
• Scene 2: Breakfast with family (wide shot of kitchen, dialogue snippets).
• Scene 3: Leaving for school (medium shot of teen walking out the door, camera follows).

Scripts and Drafts

Writing a script is an integral part of the pre-production process. A script outlines the dialogue, actions, and settings and provides a blueprint for your production.

1. Format: Use standard script formatting (e.g., character names centered, dialogue below).
2. Draft and Revise: Write multiple drafts, seeking feedback to improve the narrative and dialogue.
3. Finalization: Ensure your script aligns with your storyboard and overall vision.

Layouts and Shot Lists

Creating layouts helps you define the arrangement of elements within each shot, while shot lists provide a comprehensive list of all the shots you plan to capture during filming.

1. Layout Design: Sketch or describe how you want each shot to look, including the positioning of characters and props.
2. Shot List Creation: List all required shots (e.g., close-ups, medium shots, wide shots), specifying the content and purpose of each.

Scheduling and Resource Planning

Effective scheduling and resource planning are vital to ensure a smooth production process. Key considerations include:

1. Timeline: Create a timeline outlining all phases of production, from initial planning to final edits.
2. Budget: Estimate costs for locations, equipment, talent, and any other resources required.
3. Resource Allocation: Determine who will be responsible for specific tasks (e.g., camera operator, editor).

Example of a Simple Production Schedule

• Week 1: Script and storyboard finalization.
• Week 2: Casting and location scouting.
• Week 3: Filming.
• Week 4: Editing and post-production.

Applying Media Language Conventions

What is Media Language?

Media language refers to the specific techniques and tools used in media production to communicate messages and evoke responses from audiences. This includes:

• Cinematography: Choices of camera angles, framing, and movement.
• Editing: How shots are compiled, transitions used, pacing of the narrative.
• Sound: Dialogue, music, sound effects, and silence.

Deliberate Application

As you create your media product, make intentional choices that align with conventions and enhance storytelling. Consider:

• Consistency: Maintain a consistent visual style across your product.
• Engagement: Use techniques that engage the audience, such as cliffhangers or emotional music.
• Feedback: Seek feedback from peers during the production and revise elements to improve alignment with conventions.

Worked Examples

Example 1: Creating a Moodboard

1. Select a Genre: Choose the genre of your media project. Let’s say it’s a sci-fi film.
2. Collect Images: Find images that represent futuristic technology, alien landscapes, and space travel. Use online platforms, magazines, or create images yourself.
3. Assemble: Organize these images into a digital moodboard using tools like Canva or Photoshop, focusing on creating a coherent visual narrative.
4. Use it as a Reference: During production, refer to your moodboard when making design choices to ensure consistency.

Example 2: Developing a Script and Shot List

Project: A short drama about friendship.

1. Script Writing: Write a 5-minute dialogue-driven script focusing on two friends resolving a conflict. Ensure the dialogue reflects their personalities and emotions.
2. Shot List: Create a shot list that details each scene:

• Scene 1: Close-up of Friend A (dialogue).
• Scene 2: Medium shot of both friends sitting on a park bench (dialogue exchange).

1. Revise: Get feedback from peers and revise the script to enhance clarity and impact.

Example 3: Planning a Production Schedule

1. Create a Timeline: Use a spreadsheet to outline your production phases.
2. Identify Key Dates: Include deadlines for script finalization, auditions, shooting, and editing.
3. Assign Responsibilities: Designate roles to each team member for different aspects of the production, ensuring accountability and clarity.

Common Mistakes

1. Neglecting Research: Students often overlook the importance of researching conventions, leading to a product that feels disjointed or unprofessional. Always start with thorough research.
2. Poor Organization: Failing to keep a coherent moodboard or mind map can cause confusion during production. Keep these tools updated and reference them frequently.
3. Inadequate Scheduling: Overestimating what can be accomplished in a short timeframe is common. Create realistic timelines and allow buffer periods for unexpected delays.

Exam Tips

1. Understand Key Terms: Be familiar with terms related to media conventions and production processes; knowing these will help you articulate your ideas clearly.
2. Use Examples: Whenever possible, support your answers with examples from real media products. This illustrates your understanding and application of conventions.
3. Practice Planning: Engage in practice tasks that require you to create moodboards, scripts, or schedules. Familiarity with these tools will help you excel in practical assessments.

Conclusion

Planning, conventions research, and pre-production are essential stages in the media production process. By understanding and applying conventions, utilizing effective planning tools, and organizing your production effectively, you will be well-equipped to create a compelling media product. Always remember that the more thorough your planning, the smoother your execution will be in the production phase.

Study Notes

• Conventions: Established norms in media products that dictate visual and narrative style.
• Moodboards: Visual collages that represent the aesthetic of your project.
• Mind Maps: Diagrams that display relationships between concepts related to your media project.
• Storyboards: Sequential drawings that outline each shot and scene.
• Scripts: Written dialogue and action descriptions for your media project.
• Scheduling: Planning timeline and resource allocation to ensure smooth production.