Pre-Production Flashcards
iMedia Level 2 Qualification
What is a mood board?
A collection of sample materials and products
What forms can mood boards take?
Physical or digital
What does the following picture show?
A physical mood board (e.g. on a notice board)
What does the following picture show?
A digital mood board (e.g. created on software capable of supporting multiple images, graphics, text and other content)
What is the purpose of a mood board?
To assist the generation of ideas by collecting a wide range of material that will give a feel for what is needed…
Help stimulate creativity and innovative approaches
How are mood boards used?
For any creative media project as a starting point
To collect samples, materials and a range of relevant content
As a constant reminder of possible styles
*It is notto show what a product will look like
What content should a mood board contain?
Images
Colours
Text
Textures
Sounds and videos if a digital mood board
When producing a mood board what image content might be useful?
Anything that is relevant or related (such as existing similar products, photographs, logos, screenshots for films, advertisements, posters etc…)
When producing a mood board what colour content might be useful?
Coloursthat fit the brief or have been used before in a similar product
When producing a mood board what text content might be useful?
Text, key words, fonts and styles
When producing a mood board what texture content might be useful?
Textures, fabrics and other materials
What is the following an example of?
A mind map
What has a central theme (node) with branches and sub-nodes for different aspects?
Mind map / spider diagram
What is the purpose of a mind map / spider diagram?
To quickly generate ideas and develop links between different thoughts, aspects and processes of a project
What are the uses of a mind map / spider diagram?
To show the development and options for ideas in any project
To show the connections and links between different parts of the project
What content should a mind map / spider diagram include?
Central node with the main theme
Sub-nodes with interconnecting lines or branches for the different parts
Text at each sub-node for key points, ideas, activities, requirements etc…
Images can also be used on sub-nodes
What is the following an example of?
A visualisation diagram
What is a rough drawing or sketch of what the final static image product is intended to look like
A visualisation diagram
What is notrequired when producing a visualisation diagram?
Good art skills
What is required when producing a visualisation diagram?
The concept, layout and content of the product that is being illustrated
Visualisationdiagrams are great for static images (don’t move). What examples would this include?
Magazine advert
DVD cover
Website
What should visualisation diagrams notbe used for?
Anything with a timeline, e.g. a video
What is the purpose of a visualisation diagram?
To plan the layout of a static or still image in a visual manner
They also show how the finished item might look
What are the uses of a visualisation diagram
To give to a client or production team to show what the intended product will look like
List some uses of a visualisation diagram
CD/DVD/Blu-Ray cover
Poster (for a film / event/ advertisement)
Game scene / display screen (e.g. for a game environment or game menu)
Comic book layout
Web page / multimedia page layout
Magazine front cover / advertisement within
List the content included in a visualisation diagram
Multiple images and graphics showing their size and position
Coloursand colourschemes
Position and style of text
Fonts
In a visualisation diagram, what do annotations provide?
More detail where needed
What is required when producing a visualisation diagram?
The concept, layout and content of the product that is being illustrated
What is the following an example of?
A storyboard
What is a storyboard used for?
Illustration of a sequence of moving images (a flow of scenes that follow a timeline)
Unlike a visualisation diagram, what does a storyboard allow for?
A timeline (unlike being used for a static scene)
What are the uses of a visualisation diagram
To give to a client or production team to show what the intended product will look like
What is the purpose of a storyboard?
To provide a visual representation of how a medial project will look along a timeline
To provide a graphical illustration of what a sequence of movements will look like
To provide guidance on what scenes to film or create / how to edit the scenes into a story
What are the uses of a storyboard?
Any project with a timeline – e.g. video, digital animation, comic books, computer games or multimedia products
What content will a storyboard contain?
Images
Locations
Camera shot types and angles
Camera movements
Shot lengths and timings
Lighting
Sound
What is the following shot type?
Close up
What is the following shot type?
Over the shoulder shot
What is the following shot type?
Low angle
What is the following shot type?
Wide angle
What is the following shot type?
Medium close up
What is the following shot type?
Extreme close up
What is the following shot type?
Wide shot
What is the following shot type?
Extreme wide angle
What is the following shot type?
Two shot
What is the following shot type?
High angle
What is the following camera shot type?
Wide angle (camera)
What is the following camera shot type?
Medium close up (camera)
What is the following camera shot type?
Two shot (camera)
What is the following camera shot type?
High angle (camera)
What is the following camera shot type?
Wide shot (camera)
What is the following camera shot type?
Extreme wide angle (camera)
What is the following camera shot type?
Low angle (camera)
What is the following camera shot type?
Close up (camera)
What is the following camera shot type?
Over the shoulder shot (camera)
What is the following camera shot type?
Extreme close up (camera)
What is the picture below an example of (when utilising storyboards)?
Comic books
What is a piece of written work that can be for a movie, audio, audio-visual product or screenplay known as?
A script
Who will use a script?
A number of different people involved with the actual production (who will analysethe script and break it down into sections with information if required)
What format and layout should a script follow?
Location, camera shot and directions all start in the left-hand margin
Names of actors and what they are saying are indented across the page
What is the purpose of a script?
To identify the location where the action takes place
To identify who will be in the scene (narrators / actors)
To provide stage directions for actors and production crew
To provide dialogue for actors
What are the uses of a script?
Any moving product with dialogue (spoken words), actions and a timeline
List some examples where scripts are necessary
Video products, e.g. advertisements and films
Audio products, e.g. advertisements, jingles and radio plays
Animation products, e.g. short films
Computer game with a short story-telling scene or interaction between game characters
Within scripting, what does EXT stand for?
Exterior set location
Within scripting, what does INT stand for?
Interior set location
List the content necessary for a script
INT or EXT set locations
Scene descriptors
Scene / stage directions
Camera shot types / movements
Sounds and sound effects
Names of actors / characters
Dialogue
When producing a script, what should you be?
Clear
Correct
Concise
Who is a client?
The person, organisationor company that you are producing work for
What are client requirements / a brief?
Specific characteristics / specifications for a product as determined by a customer
What is the purpose of client requirements?
To provide an outline of information and any constraints for the project
A clear statement of what is to be produced
Identifying the intention for the product (what is hoped to be achieved)
Give an example of a client constraint
Timescale
What will be included in client requirements?
Statement of what media product is needed
The purpose of that media
Target audience
An indication of the content
Timescales
Constraints / restrictions
House style
What should be done if the client requirements don’t answer everything?
A discussion (in detail) with the client will need to take place (and the request of a more detailed brief)
What is meant the term target audience?
The final viewer or consumer of the product that is to be created
*It can also be the person who will be the user of the pre-production document
What does the picture clearly show?
A brand / house style
What is house styleand what does it include?
A brand identity – set colourschemes; design styles; fonts; and logos
What will many organisations have established?
A brand identity
What is likely to need to be followed with new creative media for an established brand?
Following the organisation’sown house style to ensure consistency and that the brand is recognisible
Give an example of a client constraint
Timescale
What sources are available when conducting research?
Primary
Secondary
What does the picture shown an example of?
A survey
What survey source has information obtained first hand from an original source (typically more reliable)?
Primary sources
What survey source has information obtained second-hand (it should be checked)?
Secondary sources
What is a secondary source of research like?
Somebody else has already put their own interpretation on the original information
List some examples of primary sources of research
Directly from the source
Autobiography
Original works
Fist-hand account
Diary
Interview
Video footage / photo
Relics
Official records
List some examples of secondary sources of research
Indirectly sources
Biography
Commentaries
Second-hand account
History textbook
Magazine articles / encyclopedias
Report
Other people’s products
News broadcast
When using sources for research, what should you do?
Don’t rely on one source: check multiple sources in order to be sure of the information
What are work plans also known as?
Project plans
What does the picture shown an example of?
A work plan
What is a work plan?
A structured list of all the tasks and associated activities needed to complete a project (along with timescales in which the project needs to be finished)
What is a list of what will be done when, within the required timescale?
A production schedule
How does a production schedule differ to a work plan? Give an example
A film trailer production schedule might have interior shots on one day and exterior shots on another (when the weather is suitable). A work plan would simply state filming to take place within these two weeks…
What gives more detail for a particular day: a work plan or a production schedule?
The production schedule
List some examples of secondary sources of research
Indirectly sources
Biography
Commentaries
Second-hand account
History textbook
Magazine articles / encyclopedias
Report
Other people’s products
News broadcast
What is the purpose of a work plan?
To provide a timescale for the overall project to be completed
To map out against time all the different aspects of the project
What does the following shown an example of?
A production schedule
What does the following show an example of?
A work plan (a simple Gantt chart)
What content will a work plan include?
Tasks
Activities
Durations
Timescales
Milestones
Deadlines
Resources
Contingencies
In a work plan, what are examples of tasks?
Different stages or main sections of the overall project
In a work plan, what are examples of activities?
A series of things to do in order to complete a task
In a work plan, what are examples of durations?
The amount of time that a task or activity is expected to take
In a work plan, what are examples of timescales?
How long the overall project will take to complete
In a work plan, what are examples of milestones?
Key dates when a section is completed
In a work plan, what are examples of resources?
What is needed to do the tasks and activities
In a work plan, what are examples of deadlines?
A date when something must be completed by
In a work plan, what are examples of contingencies?
‘What if’ scenarios, back-up plans such as extra time or alternative ways to do things
What are the uses of a work plan?
Any media product, e.g. a comic book; interactive multimedia product such as a website; audio advertisements; video; digital animation; photographic shoot; computer game etc…
How can you categorise the target audience?
Age
Gender
Location
Ethnicity
Give an example of a target audience being categorised by age
6-12
12-18
18-40
40+
*It is important to be clear about the age group
Give an example of a target audience being categorised by gender
Male
Female
Trans-gender
Give an example of a target audience being categorised by location
Local
National
International
*One of these groups might be targeted more than another (such as a local music festival compared with a national one)
How can ethnic groups be defined?
Groups of people that have a common background or culture, whether through race, religion or language
When identifying an audience by age, what should you avoid?
Referring to people as ‘young’ or ‘old’. Someone 16 might feel ‘old’ in comparison to a child, but a 40 year old will think a 16 year old is ‘young’!
What does hardware refer to?
The devices and equipment that could be used to create or digitize pre-production documents
Give examples of computer system hardware
A computer system (e.g. Mac or PC)
Tablets
Smart phones
List some computer peripherals
Keyboard
Mouse
Trackpad
Graphics tablet
Display monitor
Microphone
Speakers
List some imaging devices
Digital camera
Scanner
What other hardware equipment is useful (along with computer systems, peripherals and imaging devices)?
Pens
Pencils
Paper
*As some pre-production documents could be drawn by hand
What does software refer to?
Any program or application used to create or digitize pre-production documents
What is image editing / desktop publishing software used for (give some examples)
Used to create a digital mood board, visualization diagram or storyboard (e.g. Photoshop, DrawPlus, Publisher etc…)
What is word processing software used for (give some examples)
Used to create a visualization diagram, storyboard or script (e.g. Word, Pages etc…)
What is presentation software used for (give some examples)
Used to create a visualization diagram or mood board (e.g. PowerPoint, Keynote etc…)
What is a web browser used for (give some examples)
Used to obtain content for a mood board (or for online applications such as mind maps (e.g. Internet Explorer, Chrome, Firefox, Safari etc…))
Dedicated software can be used for specific tasks. What would Storyboard That be used for?
Storyboard production
Spreadsheet software isn’t typically used to create the main pre-production documents. What is it likely to be used for?
Planning (such as creating work plans or to log the use of assets)
What are the two techniques used in making pre-production documents?
Creating
Digitising
What is digitising?
Making a digitialcopy that can be stored and distributed electronically
What is creating?
Using the hardware devices to create the original pre-production document
If pre-production documents were created by hand (such as a physical mood board with pictures placed on it) what needs to happen?
It needs to be digitized: photographing the work or scanning it would need to take place
What is a recce?
A visit to a specific location that will be used for recording (e.g. filming / audio recording / photography)
What is the purpose of a recce?
To check access
To see what is there
To identify the best positions
To assess environmental considerations
What is recce an abbreviation of?
Reconnaissance
What might a recce report include notes on?
Location (and how to get there)
Access (is it suitable?)
Lighting
Health and safety issues
Availability of power (e.g. electricity)
Environmental considerations (e.g. background noise / people)
Any other potential issues that may arise
What is the following form an example of?
A recce form
What does the picture below illustrate?
A risk assessment / management diagram
When should a risk assessment be completed?
For any media project (but the risks will vary, depending on the activities to be completed and if any recording of material will be done outside)
When should a risk assessment be completed?
Ideally at the same time as a recce, but certainly before any recording of media begins
What are the steps involved with completed a risk assessment?
Identify the hazards and dangers
Decide who might be harmed, and how
Evaluate the risks and decide on the precautions to be taken
Record findings and implement them
Review your assessment and update if necessary
How can risk assessments be completed?
Using a standard form or template
What should happen with risk assessments and why?
They must be stored to cover you and any organization that you work for in case of claims against you at a later date
What might a recce report include notes on?
Location (and how to get there)
Access (is it suitable?)
Lighting
Health and safety issues
Availability of power (e.g. electricity)
Environmental considerations (e.g. background noise / people)
Any other potential issues that may arise
When using computers for any length of time, what is important?
You are not straining any part of your body
What are some of the issues when using computers for a long time?
Straining eyes, arms, back and shoulders
*Long periods of time sitting at a computer in poor position can cause repetitive stain injury (RSI)
What does RSI stand for?
Repetitive strain injury
What considerations should occur when using computers?
Chair height (eyes same height as display)
Seating position (maintain good posture and keep your back straight)
Distance from screen to eyes (text can be seen easily without straining eyes)
Keyboard / mice are comfortable and in a natural position for your hands to reach
What are the main things to consider when working at heights?
Risks of falling
Risks of dropping anything
When working at height, what safety precautions are needed?
Safety barriers (for people working above ground level) as they might be distracted if looking, for example, through a viewfinder
Consideration of the people below should equipment be dropped
What are some typical applications for using high platforms (in order to get a good viewpoint)?
Filming using video cameras
Photography using digital still cameras
What are the main issues when working with electricity (low and high voltage and both indoor and outdoor)?
Cable safety on the ground (tripping and falling / damaging the equipment cables are attached to)
Outdoor locations potentially have damp/raining/wet conditions which don’t mix well with electricity
What is the 1998 Data Protection Act?
It is a series of laws designed to protect individuals and their personal data
What is the legislation for personal information within the 1998 Data Protection Act?
Organisationscannot collect and keep your personal information without following the 1998 Data Protection Act
What is the legislation for viewing and correcting personal information within the 1998 Data Protection Act?
Everyone has the right to view and correct their own personal information without following this law
What is the legislation for data within the 1998 Data Protection Act?
Data has to be accurate, for a specific purpose, used fairly and stored securely
Data can only be held for a reasonable period of time
Data cannot be passed to other countries without adequate protection
What can happen if the 1998 Data Protection Act isn’t followed?
Investigations by the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) and potentially a fine for the organisation
What are the four main areas of legislation?
Copyrighted materials and intellectual property
Certification and classification
Data protection
Privacy and defamation
What does © stand for?
Copyright
What does TM stand for
Trademark
What does ® stand for?
Registered
What is the general rule with copyright?
Pretty much everything will have some form of copyright protection (but it might not be clear who owns it or how rigidly the protection will be enforced)
What does the term ‘published’ cover?
Photographs, images, graphics in books, magazines and the internet
Music on CD, DVD, downloaded or streamed
Movies on DVD, BlueRay, TV or streamed
What copyright rule is likely to apply to content on the internet?
It is likely to be protected by copyright, unless it specifically says it isn’t (such as freeware)
What should you do to use a published resource?
Contact the owner
Ask for permission to use it
Prepare to pay a fee
Does copyright in the UK have to be registered?
No – it is automatic and belongs to the author or creator unless transferred by written agreement
What is copyright there to protect?
Copying! You cannot get around it by creating your own version of somebody else’s work (such as tracing it)!
What is the creative commons licence?
Copyrighted material can be used via CC BY or CCC BY NC
What is CC BY?
You can use copyrighted material however you want, as long as you quote the source
What is CCC BY NC?
You can use copyrighted material only for non-commercial purposes (you cannot profit from it) and you must quote the source
What is a GNU Free Document Licence (GFDL)?
Originally used by Wikipedia and others to share content freely
What are Public Domain licences?
Public Domain is not copyrighted (the copyright has lapsed / only lasts for a certain time)
What is Intellectual Property (IP)?
A piece of work, idea or an invention, which may be protected
What factors affect the classification of what is allowed to be seen and shown?
Violence
Strong language
Scenes of a sexual nature
What certification and classification board does the picture show, and what does it represent?
BBFC (British Board of Film Classification) which rates films
What certification and classification board does the picture show, and what does it represent?
PEGI (Pan European Game Information) which rates computer games
What are the BBFC film ratings?
U
PG
12
12A
15
18
R18
What are the PEGI game ratings?
3
7
12
16
18
In terms of legality, what needs to be considered at all times in the pre-production and production stages of a project?
People have the right to privacy and it should not be invaded
What is defamation, slander and libel?
Offences under English law: you can’t say or write nasty or untrue things about someone without proof (saying something is slander, putting it in writing is libel)
What are the key points when creating a mood board?
There is no set structure (content placed randomly)
Content does not have to be copyright free
Mood boards are not placed in the public domain (personal / in-house use)
Content should have some relevance or connection to the project, brief or scenario
What are the key points when creating a mind map / spider diagram?
There is no set structure so the content can be placed anywhere on the page
The content mustbe linked by connection and have some sort of logical flowor breakdown
What are the key points when creating a visualisation diagram?
It should illustrate what the intended final product will look like
The content should be relevant to the brief, show where the different elements will be positioned and identify what colourscould be used
What are the key points when creating a storyboard?
It needs to show the flow of the story or sequence so that the viewer can get a good ‘feel’ or impression of what the final product will look like
Scenes should show the visual content and be supported by information such as camera shots, action and expected duration
What are the key points when creating a script?
There is a set structure to a script so the key information should always be in the same place and style: the structure defines the formatting and layout of the script content
By analyzing the script, you should be able to identify where the actions takes place, what happens in the scene, who features in the scene and what they say
What typically determines the file formats used for a pre-production document?
The software used to create the document
What general rule should be followed when saving pre-production files?
Save them in the file standard format used by the software (and export them in a format that can be viewed on a different machine which may not have specialisedsoftware)
What are the main properties / uses and limitations of the file format jpg?
Lossy compression
Widely used with digital cameras and websites
Reduced image quality with higher compression settings
What are the main properties / uses and limitations of the file format png?
Lossy compression
Supports transparency
Not as widely supported as jpg
What are the main properties / uses and limitations of the file format tiff?
Very high quality lossless image files
Used in high quality printing
Very large file sizes
What are the main properties / uses and limitations of the file format pdf?
Export format (cannot be further edited)
Used with documents and print products with image content
Must use the original file format before being exported
What are the main properties / uses and limitations of the file format gif?
Small file sizes and supports transparency
Supports animation
Limited range of coloursand licensing restrictions in place
What are the main properties / uses and limitations of the file format mp3?
Compressed file format
Range of sound quality / file size options and widely supported
Audio quality can be a limitation with high compression
What are the main properties / uses and limitations of the file format wav?
Uncompressed high quality files (PC)
Large file sizes
What are the main properties / uses and limitations of the file format aiff?
Similar to mp3 but less widely used and not widely supported
What are the main properties / uses and limitations of the file format oggvorbis?
Uncompressed high quality files (Mac)
Large file sizes
What are the main properties / uses and limitations of the file format mpg?
Lossy compression
Smaller file sizes for fast loading
Compression can lower quality
What are the main properties / uses and limitations of the file format mp4?
High quality video over low-bandwidth connections
What are the main properties / uses and limitations of the file format mov?
Good quality (widely used for video files from digital cameras)
What are the main properties / uses and limitations of the file format avi?
Uncompressed video for high quality
File sizes can be very large
What are the main properties / uses and limitations of the file format flv?
Flash video file providing smaller file sizes
Not widely supported anymore
What are the main properties / uses and limitations of the file format swf?
Compressed file formats provide small file sizes for fast loading
Not well supported on Apple platforms
What are the two types of compression (to make files smaller)?
Lossless
Lossy
What is lossless compression?
No information is discarded (all original information is retained)
Quality is retained at the expense of file size
What is lossy compression?
Algorithms discard some of the original information
File size can be greatly reduced but this is at the expense of quality
Enables files to upload / download / be shared or streamed online faster
What should you do with original filenames (such as one from a digital camera)?
Rename them to relevant names – descriptive names when saving or exporting will allow others to have an idea of what they’re opening / be more readily found during a search
What should happen to a file when changes are made as a result of improvements?
A new file name (via version control) should be made, e.g. photo_v1.psd and photo_v2.psd
During version control, instead of using v1, v2 v3 etc… what else can also be used?
The date
What aspects are involved with reviewing a document?
Critically review by commenting on strengths / weaknesses / how well it meets the requirements of the user
When reviewing, who is notlikely to be the user of a pre-production document
The target audience
Who should review comments be aimed at?
The client / media developer / whoever is identified in the project
What are the key areas to cover during a review when considering the brief?
Compare the document back to the brief and client requirements – does it do what was asked for?
What are the key areas to cover during a review when considering the format?
Is the format of the document suitable for the type of media product (e.g. a mood board won’t inform a web developer what to put on the home page)
What are the key areas to cover during a review when considering the style?
Is the style clear for the user of the document?
What are the key areas to cover during a review when considering the content?
Is the content of the document suitable for what the client needs the final media product to do?
With a review, what should you try and add?
Technical language and terminology where possible
When reviewing what should you also include (along with positives / weaknesses)?
Areas for improvement
List some example areas of improvement which might be used when reviewing
The use of colour, content and layout
The clarity of story flow
Is everything covered – any significant gaps?
When completing a review, what should be added?
A conclusion which summarisesyour review
