Production Processes: Brief Two

For this brief I was required to visit a real life creative industry company and produce a written web report explaining the company’s production processes. I along with Ian Diez at the end of last year chose to visit a Media Production Company called Boomerang, based at 218 Penarth Road, Cardiff. We met with the Managing director Huw Davies, as well as several other members of the Boomerang Creative team & Production team, to help gain an understanding of the various stages in the company’s design process.


Definition and Planning


It was stated that the first step in a projects life cycle is vital, as the project manager must clearly understand what the client needs and requirements are. By documenting the ideas and concepts of the client’s requirements, the project manger can then create a contract that shows a realistic timescales and budgets for both the client and the production team.

Before creating a contract, the Project Manager must consider the following points-

* Be clear about the clients brief and be aware of what the client’s needs & requirements are. It is important to discuss and clarify unclear information with client.

* Make decisions based on the facts and make an assessment of the risks.

* To be able to understand concerns of members of the team.

* Discuss cost proposal treatment and refer back to client's budget.

* Define resources needed.

* Explain limitations of proposal and make no false promises. It is also important to get a signed agreement to content at each stage of the project.


Information Architecture

Once the project has commenced the company must acquire the relevant information needed for creating the project. Information is generally gathered from the client and if further information is needed the company will allow time for the development team to research and gather the information need for the project.


Design

Boomerang being a Production Company produces television programs for various clients. The company predominately uses story boards to show their clients the design layout, as this is a quick and above all cheap means of conveying ideas before production. Again, a signed agreement is made when agreeing on the design and ideas for the project. When it comes to design they aim to achieve the clients brief, but will say no when something is unachievable.


Construction

This is the production stage of the project where all tasks and the role of the production team has been assigned to each team member. Tasks tend to be set out on a timeline, calendar or white board where team members have a certain amount of time to complete that task before moving on to the next. When a task is completed, a team member signs that task so the project manager is aware what has been completed and what has not. Furthermore, if team members have problems they can also use the timeline, calendar or white board to report any problems to the rest of the team and the project manager.


Marketing

It was stated that a good client relationship is invaluable for acquiring contracts. By creating good contacts, finishing projects on time and by achieving the data for the projects in an orderly manner, all of these factors can influence a client to return for more contracts in the future.


Tracking, Evaluation and Maintenance

Once the project is complete by the production team, the project manager must present the finished project to the client. A final signed agreement is made, as well as discussing with the client if they need the company to maintain the project. Once the client is pleased with the project, it is then common practice for the project to be archived and all documentation from the project is filed away. Archiving properly at the end of each project can have many benefits for the company. The main benefit is that if the client was to return and wanted more work done, then the relevant information is stored and easy to obtain. Boomerang being a Production Company keep Master Tapes of productions, but all other tapes are wiped & re-used.



Analysing the various stages in Boomerang’s Production Processes using England and Finney’s Project Life Cycle guidelines


Scoping the project
‘What is it all about and what is going to be needed?’

Boomerang distinguishes an idea for a potential show and then prepares a pitch to a potential client. This is a potentially risky strategy, as it is not guaranteed the client will accept the pitch.

Proposal

Boomerang propose an idea to a potential client before they develop or plan the project, as it is not guaranteed the client will accept the pitch.
If a pitch is successful, the next stage is to draw up plans such as production schedules and costs, before then preparing a contract.

Contract

Contracts are drawn up after a client has accepted the idea; Boomerang has little control over the terms of the contract as the client can easily decide not to use their idea.

Personnel

Boomerang’s personnel include many people they privately employ. The company also employs freelance workers when needed to deal with specialist tasks and when there is a over-flow of work.


Assets

They use different technology for filming and editing and a number of different programs including a software package called Movie Magic which helps design production plans.

Testing

Testing can only be done once a television episode has been made using a test audience which means it is hard to keep the client updated throughout production.

Final Sign off

Once the project is signed off the company archives the production tapes, before moving onto their next project. The only reason for them to keep in touch with the client is if the client wants to pursue further work with the company.