PRE-PRODUCTION: Proposed Package Contents and Presentation (Book)

For the Pre-Production unit, which I will be working on until mid December, we must present all of the Pre-Production elements for our original productions in either a book format or a website. However, the presentation is taken into account and marked on so it must be presented clearly and concisely. I have chosen to complete a book to document my final ideas and concept. I made this decision because I think that this will look very professional and visually pleasing.  It will also make for a clear and presentable layout that will be easy to read and when it is marked, it will be clear what my thought processes were. I have looked at some of the books from previous years and seen that they have had some really great results, therefore I think this will be a good decision in terms of the presentation. I have already decided that I would like to use glossy or shiny looking paper for the book (something like Gloss 150gsm) to get a really good finish that will give the visuals and imagery the best pay off.

In terms of the package contents which is what will be going into the book, I have thought carefully about what I think needs to be included and what else I would like to include. I have decided to not write a script, and just include detailed synopses of each episode as I have chosen to make an opening title sequence. When speaking to Simon about the package contents, he agreed that trying to write a script also wouldn't be wise for the time frame in which to complete all of the elements and have them ready for printing. Therefore my package contents will be as follows:

• Idea/Overview - This will include a very short summary of what the original production is and what it is about. In the overview, I will include some more detail about the history and background of the idea.

• Tagline/Pitch - The tagline is a couple of sentences which briefly tell the audience what the story is about, it should be punchy and leave the audience with intrigue. 
• Inspiration/Influences - This will talk about what influenced me to write this particular story and what lead me to make certain decisions regarding characters, plot, locations and so on. Generally this will include other series as my biggest influences, but also characters from films. 

• Episodes Synopsis - These will be detailed synopses of each episode, including every event that would be seen on screen. There should be clear character development, and an obvious structure with a beginning, middle and end. 

• Character Profiles - The character profiles will be very detailed, so that the audience will know the back story and motives of each character in the series. This should allow the audience to feel like they know the characters and will understand their involvement in the story. 

• Casting/Crew - Here I will have chosen the cast for all of the main characters and the crew that I would like to work on the production. This will be based on detailed research and clear decision making to ensure that the most suitable people are chosen for each role. 

• Locations - The locations will be visual impressions only. As I am not able to go to the US and undertake primary research for the locations, I will be finding these online and will just give the audience a feel for the exact locations. 

• Broadcasting Channel - This is important because the channel I choose to broadcast the series will need to be suitable for the audience and the series content itself. The themes, genre and visuals will also need to be taken into account when choosing the Broadcasting Channel.

• Schedule - This will be decided by looking at the schedule of the channel in particular and finding the right time and dates suitable.

• Visual Style - This will include the lighting and colouring choices for the series that should give it its own unique selling point and recognisable feel. 

• Branding - The Branding will include the colour palette and style bible in terms of the fonts and posters. This will look consistent throughout the book and in the title card of the opening titles.

• Advertising - For the advertising, I will be using photoshop to create some prototypes of the posters on a large scale. For example, what the branding will look like advertised on a billboard or on the television guide.

• Opening Titles - For the opening titles, I will carefully map out suitable imagery for the production to film and edit the footage together, in keeping with the visual style I have chosen. This should give the audience a feel for how the series would look visually. I will document this in the book as stills from the titles. 

I am very happy with the choices I have made in regards to the package contents. I think that it should be challenging to include all of the elements and work on them in enough detail within the time frame. However, I think it is definitely achievable and will demonstrate many effective skills including creative writing, research skills and use of photoshop to create graphics. The final choices will make up the material that is documented in the book, where I will be talking about the production in professional language as if I were pitching it, However, in my blog, I will be addressing the processes I have undertaken, using it as a tool for documenting my personal development and addressing my successes and challenges.