'AS LIVE' PRODUCTION: Production Meeting 3

- Myself and Melissa are working on the script

- Following the workshop with Del, the set design layout has changed. New set details (e.g. the catwalk and zones) will be sent to set design team.

- Transmission date has been moved to 19th March - Thursday

- Everyone to continue researching into segments to nail down content ideas

VT updates:

Presenter challenge- needs more challenge - event, budget, time? Needs more of a pressure element.

Online fails- more serious, documentary style

Promo ideas:

Short trailer - presenters walk past a store, see on trend outfit, steal mannequin out of store - playing into the title of the show - STEAL the style.

Research in for meeting monday, uploaded to google doc in advance

'AS LIVE' PRODUCTION: (Lecture) Methods of Scripting

Studio Scripts:

Two columns
- left hand side - shot number, camera number and shot descriptions
- right hand side - script, stage instructions and sound effects

Shots are amended as letters after the shot no e.g. shot 10 becomes 10a

Camera cards:
- provided to the camera operators so that they can see which shots they are responsible for and the shot description

Top of page has camera number and title of programme

4 columns on camera cards:
- shot no
- area of set feature
- shot description
- any notes

VT Scripts:
Title should match the title on the VT clock and the script
IQ (In Cue) & OQ (Out cue) - first / last words on VT script
Also add in the duration of the VT and CAPGENS (info about captions and when they should appear on the VT)
Each piece of VT should have bars / tone and lock with appropriate idents

Script content:
A decision has to be made as to how much scripted content the programme contains
Welcome, Intro, Outro and links should all be scripted as bare minimum
Short sharp script pieces

Links:
Similarly you presenter can deliver links with take you from one part of the show to the next
Loosely written so presenter can adapt dialogue

Ad libs:
Can leave segments to presenter to ad lib and give guidance on the script and prompt cards to ad lib.
Skilled business and should be rehearsed to ensure - timings work and basic idea for ad lib is established and confident
Ad libbing has the advantage of feeling natural and free flowing - however can feel unprofessional
Presenters need to be well briefed and prepared for ad libs

Timings:
Many elements of the script will necessitate approximate timings
Keep on top of timings throughout
PA working out how much time must be added / lost from subsequent items if things under or over run

Running order - constantly changes throughout pre production - VTs may run longer or shorter than initially planned
Need areas to manipulate if sections under or over run

Scripts need to be:
Factually accurate
Well written
Concise
Tone of voice
Write to pictures
Write to time
Allow for breaths
Has a logical structure


Workshop - due 01/03/2018:

VTs
Its add value to the studio production
Provide talking points / background info
Illustrative - adding explanation to help the show
Add variety
Location opportunities beyond the studio

Beyond the studio content:
practical
entertainment
informative
variety

The VT should feel part of the rest of the programme - style / approach
It should add to the studio content and have a specific purpose
Entertaining and creative
Comprehensible and comprehensive
Quality should be consistent with the rest of the programme
- production values
- technical quality - picture and sound quality, lighting etc.
- performance

Research and recce
Locations and paperwork
Casting / contributors and paperwork
Scripting

What makes a good VT?


Winterwatch:

VT needs good top line - e.g. VT - surviving the cold in the mountains 
There's a why to the story
Pull VT content into the main show - VT to help push story forward

Linking to VT:
Introducing presenter
Music over top
Establishing shot

The One Show:

Coming ups

Welcome guest - look at their background work then introduce them on sofa


Essentials:
- Accuracy
- Branding / Tone
- Clarity
- Layout / composition - 16:9 safe zone
- Font
- Purpose
- Synergy - images/words - spoken and onscreen

Text:
Simple
Limit number of fonts used
Letter less than 1/10 screen height is difficult to read
Outlines and drop shadows
Leave space between title lines of about 1/2 to 2/3 of height of capital letters
Ensure lettering contrasts well with background
Don't put too much text on screen at once
On screen time - read it twice - need a long enough MCU (caption on MCUs)

Design shouldn't overrule function
Simple colour background
Use video grabs
Defocused clips

'AS LIVE' PRODUCTION: (Research) Audience for E4

Following the pitch, our target audience has changed to E4. So that the tone and branding of our show fits E4's values and audience demographic, I decided to do some research into E4.

Finding information on E4 proved to be difficult but eventually I found a research and insight document put together by Channel 4 to showcase the statistics and figures of their different channels (including E4).

The main findings from this research were:

- E4 is popular in the 16-34 age range - we need to ensure our programming is targeted towards this audience. We pitched Steal The Style to a target audience of 16-50 year olds - the majority of this is included in E4's target audience - however, E4 still shows to have some interest with people above their core age range meaning our show should still appeal to our whole original target audience.
- Our show will appeal to all ages outlined in the target audience by featuring fashion trends for both older and younger people (or showing how specific trends can be styled differently to suit different ages).
- "brilliant comedy" suggests that the tone of the programming for E4's platform must be light-hearted, entertaining and comical - we need to embody this in Steal The Style by making the conversation between the presenter comical by having banter between them and also with the audience
- "E4 is more than just an entertainment brand, it's a lifestyle" - our show needs to feed into this lifestyle by incorporating the values of E4.
- We pitched for our show to have a presenter with a similar personality to Georgia Toffolo - a cast member of the E4 show Made In Chelsea - this should help our programme appeal to E4's target audience as she has proved to be successful on Made In Chelsea and so someone with a similar personality should have similar success with our show.


Resource:

https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&ved=0ahUKEwjBoYjWlt3ZAhVQF8AKHVodCSoQFggpMAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.channel4.com%2Fmedia%2Fdocuments%2Fcommissioning%2FRESEARCH%2FResearchPowerPoint.ppt&usg=AOvVaw0Ruc8C5vIgUn1gd8gBzJSX

'AS LIVE' PRODUCTION: Workshop / Lecture & Developing The Structure with Del & Running Order 1

TX = pm - 1400 - 1430

13th feb, 27th feb, 6th march, 13th march, 20th march, 10th april, 18th april, 19th april - Rehearsal

Presenter interviews / auditions - Jack & Producers organise

Ideas of how the show will work so far:

Opening titles - graphics or VT  - 30 seconds - sound SOT

Establishing shot to start - to show audience whole set

Presenters walk down catwalk intro show

Teaser - what's to come up in the show

Presenters sat on sofa - discuss trends of the week

Trends of week - show 3 trends on screen and talk

Walk over to catwalk whilst talking

Trends styled 2 ways - older younger

1 at time the models come out wearing the trend. Then both models at end come down together to show the trend styled for younger and older.

Back to sofa - walk and talk

Male trends - 3 trends shown on screen

Male catwalk (same way as female catwalk)

Link to VT - presenters do challenge - find outfit for each other from high street stores - with budget 

Mannequins of outfits in middle - talk about what they picked and why and whether they like the outfits

Live walk to soft area

Sting

Fashion fails - audience member - handheld camera - on screen as well - handheld mic - pictures of the item they're talking about?? Or bring in the item?

Repeat for one more person - interesting people with interesting clothing fails

VT - online clothing fails - expectations vs reality of ordering cheap things online e.g. ordering a pair of trousers and they end up being barbie trousers etc. 

Back to studio - trainers on table

Old to new - dad trainers

Soft area - talking about the fashion of dad trainers / what inspired this look / music influences etc. - figure out the whole story

VT - decide how its going to link in - something to do with fashion from different eras / dad trainers / fashion from music / fashion from tv / film

DIY / Independent Stores - interview on sofa with independent seller

VT - DIY reporter and independent seller doing step by step DIY

Link back to studio - presenters stood by catwalk

Drag Catwalk - drag queen who has made their own dress - interview drag queen on their outfit, why they wear it etc -  links from VT

Old to new - dad trainers

Soft area - talking about the fashion of dad trainers - figure out the whole story

VT - decide how its going to link in - something to do with fashion from different eras / dad trainers

Thank all contributors - all of them come back out

Thank you for watching, goodnight



Final Structure:

Opening titles

Welcome from presenters

Additional Teaser VT - silhouette drag act (secret)

1. Steals of the season

3 trends women
2 models catwalk
3 trends men
2 models catwalk

VT - Challenge between presenters

Mannequins - talk about outfits

2. Fashion fails - interview audience - 2 members

Handheld camera in audience, picture being broadcast on the plasma screen - talk about the fashion fails they have experienced.

VT - Online fashion fails

3. Old to New / Dad Trainers - catwalk

Discussing how these have come back into fashion. Influences from eras / music / tv / film

VT - ??

4. DIY / Independent Seller / Etsy - interview on sofa

VT - doing the DIY - presenters and etsy person

5. Drag catwalk

6. Thank all contributors

7. Goodbye

Credits


Whilst determining the structure of the show, we also thought more about how the set design should compliment this.

We have decided to incorporate a catwalk into the set, coming in from the back walk towards the right hand side.

The soft area / cosy chair area will then be on the left hand side.

The catwalk will allow us to display the trends on the models.

The soft area allows space to hold interviews / discuss trends.

This is a rough plan of how the set will look.

Digital version of the new set:

Running order:

What I have learnt from todays session:

- I need to be more confident with my ideas - this was holding us back from getting a final structure. I feel that I have developed this confidence today by voicing my ideas and listening to other people's feedback. We managed to take a couple of ideas and merge them together e.g. Old To New and Music Fashion have now become one topic. We also managed to come up with a completely new idea in the form of a drag act coming down the catwalk. This will help lift the show and help set the tone of the show. We need to make sure the rest of the show is delivered in such a way that the drag act doesn't seem out of place - we need to make the tone of the show consistent.
- I have become more confident voicing my opinions - suggesting what will and won't work from other people's ideas which I feel is a key trait for a producer. Previously I have not been keen handling a role with a lot of responsibility but I am becoming more comfortable being a producer and performing the tasks that are given to me (e.g. today's task was to nail down the content of the show which was mainly down to me and my co producer Mel - with contributions from the others - and we completed it).
- I feel that there is much more direction with the idea now - now that we have a solid structure, we can fill the sections with content - we have time limits to stick to which will make it easier to determine how much we can put in each section.
- We now need to develop the sections further - this involves splitting people back up into research groups and giving out different areas to look into. This will help us determine the content of the show. We need to know exactly what we want the steals of the season to be, we need to know what else we want to mention in the old to new section etc.

DISSERTATION: How To Write the Proposal

Introduction:
- needs to be clear to follow
- clearly establish themes and issues that will be discusses
- points clearly linked together, developed and structured well
- introduce themes and ideas clearly & neatly

Conclusion:
- enough depth summarising key findings and return to address the question
- clearly draw together main arguments made and address the question title
- summarise key findings

Structure:
- new argument point = new paragraph
- signposting and transitions need to ensure the reader is logically guided through
- logically divide up the arguments made

Formatting:
- Harvard
- Pages numbered, indented and line and a half spacing using with 12pt font throughout, expect longer quotes which should be single spaced
- Bibliography alphabetical by surname of author / source

Analysis, evidence and argument:
- rely on many relevant theoretical texts
- depth and breath of sources and ideas to inform and develop your argument points and clearly address / makes connection to the question
- avoid being too descriptive for too long
- avoid referring to yourself and own viewpoints
- avoid describing differences between films & concepts without the use of theory to explore why this might happen / is significant to your thinking / approach
- avoid utilising arguments to make your own points - use referenced materials as a way of providing evidence
- avoid arguments being too difficult to follow
- make sure evidence clearly links with the points being made
- avoid generalised assumptions
- avoid subjectivity and vagueness

'AS LIVE' PRODUCTION: Set Design Pitch

Today myself and Melissa had to pitch to the set design team in Rochester. As the team have to come up with the design for the set themselves, we decided not to show them our idea for the set. Instead we provided them with a brief overview of what the show is about, what sort of atmosphere / look we want the show to have and the dimensions that would work in the studio.

Myself and Melissa are very keen to have a light, bright, homely set that has a similar feel to the Urban Outfitters / anthropologie homeware vibe. This feel suits our show as these companies have quite unique, anti mainstream tastes which is the same as the premise for our show - we aim to show anti mainstream fashion trends.

The pitch includes some mood boards which contain some images of the Urban Outfitters / Anthropologie look we aim to go for. Were also keen to have lights and plants incorporated in the set to add to the homely feel.

At the end of the pitch we outlined some of the key features we needed including in the set e.g. chairs for the interview sections. We aimed to give the set design team enough guidance so that they understood what look we wanted to go for and what we required within the set whilst giving them enough freedom to put their own spin on our idea.

'AS LIVE' PRODUCTION: (Lecture) Production Management

What is production management?
- manage productions
- takes minutes from meetings - notes down all stages of production
- attends all production meetings / stages throughout production
- managing people - middle man between crew and producer
- look after budget
- scheduling
- contracts & agreements - crew, music licenses, locations, release forms, cost reporting
- getting best deal for studio / location
- rights negotiations
- project management / call sheets
- insurance / health and safety / risk assessments
- keeping across the latest technology & channel tech specs
- cross platform considerations (frame rates / graphics / green screen)
- Intellectual Property (IP), Archive clearances music / painting etc.

Production mistakes:
- never leave things to the last minute
- not delegating
- over delegating
- hoarding information
- not knowing the role
- not working with their team
- when they think they know best

Make a schedule and stick to it
Create call sheets
Risk assessments / safety
Contact Lists / book staff
Are you on budget
Release forms
Tech specs
Collating floor plans, lighting plans etc
Communication is key

Filming on location:
Access / permission
What are the risks? Do you need health and safety?
Can you rig lighting / add props etc
Height restrictions?
Power sources
Parking
Feeding cast and crew
Where is it in relation to other filming places
Release forms?
Is it accessible?
Will you have to deal with the public?
Wifi?
Sound issues? Air con, flight path, fridges, music playing, other external noises
Conflicting events
Pictures of where you are going / maps
Nearest toilets / changing rooms
Take pictures of locations

Filming abroad:
Find a good fixer and sound them out. There are good ones and bad ones - get them to sign anti bribery clause (BBC)
Baggage allowance
If at the BBC - contact the IFA (International Filming Advice) - tell them where you are filming and they will give you advice. If not, speak to the embassy / ask the relevant FB groups on working abroad.
Equipment - sort out a carnet
Visas / permits - speak to fixers to find out if permits are needed.
Book flights as far in advance as you can
More you prep - easier it is - organise tech recces
Make each day count - make sure have correct insurances

Studio hire:
Studio hire is costly
Wet hire (crew provided) & Dry hire (no crew)

What does the quote include?
How much lighting - power costs? 35p per Kwh
What crew is included and do you need them all?
Are there any restrictions? Many london studios won't let set be delivered at night

Budget:
Staff costs
Studio costs
Post production costs
Props scenery etc
Expenses

Create problem solver
Calm under pressure
Great negotiator
Diplomatic
An ace communicator
Team player