Assignment Brief

Assignment Brief – QCF BTEC

Assignment Brief

Qualification	Level 3 Extended Diploma in Creative Media Production – Games Design
Unit number and title	Unit 4 - Creative Media Production Management Project Unit 5 - Working to a Brief in the Creative Industries
Assessor name	Iain Goodyear
Date issued	Monday 8th February, 2016
Hand in deadline	Friday 10th June, 2016
Assignment title	IG3 Final Major Project
Purpose of this assignment is to: Unit 4 LO1: Be able to originate, develop and research an idea for a media product Unit 4 LO2: Be able to pitch a proposal for a media product Unit 4 LO3: Be able to manage a production process to create a media product. Unit 5 LO1: Understand the requirements of working to a brief Unit 5 LO2: Be able to develop a planned response to a brief Unit 5 LO3: Be able to apply a response to a brief Unit 5 LO4: Be able to review work on completion of a brief.
Scenario As a games design specialist approaching the end of your two year programme of study, the time has come to demonstrate your ability in managing an independently devised production through the stages of pre-production, production and post-production. You must devise initial ideas and select one that you will further develop using a broad combination of skills that you have acquired over the past two years of studying your BTEC extended diploma. The project must relate to one or more disciplines across audio, game design, concept art, 2D digital graphics and 3D modelling. You must demonstrate that you are able to plan in advance all stages of production and adhere to a production schedule that you yourself have devised. You must also, if encountered, evidence how you adapt to changes in your production schedule and overcome production difficulties. Good luck! This assignment will demonstrate that you can do the following: ·         Independently manage a creative games design related production from start to finish. ·         Produce pre-production evidence for a specific games design related production. ·         Use games design related production technologies to produce and post-produce a specific games related production.
Task 1 – Different Types of Creative Production Briefs Define and summarise the following range of creative production briefs: ·         Contractual ·         Commission ·         Negotiated ·         Tender ·         Formal ·         Co-operative ·         Informal ·         Competition In addition, you must also provide a summary of professional self-development opportunities working to each of the briefs would provide for you in the following categories: 1.     Communication 2.     Time management 3.     Technical skills 4.     Career progression In addition, you must gather examples of creative production client briefs and annotate said examples, providing information in your own words under the following categories: 1.     Who is the client? 2.     What media product(s) does the client require? 3.     What is the timescale to deliver the product(s) to the client? 4.     Who is the intended target audience the client wishes the product(s) to appeal to? 5.     What are the legal and ethical issues relating to the production? 6.     What constraints do you have to work within (budget, length of product, format)? This provides evidence for unit 5 P1, M1, D1
Task 2 – Ideas Generation Use a range of idea generation techniques, including mind maps, spider diagrams and any other appropriate methods, to come up with some initial ideas for a specific games design production. This provides evidence for unit 4 P1, M1, D1 & unit 5 P2/M2/D2
Task 3 – Final Major Project Pitch Prepare a pitch ·         Finalise ideas for your games releated product ·         Prepare a project proposal in response to the brief ·         Prepare a presentation including visual aids, delegate notes and presenter’s notes ·         Give the presentation in the form of a pitch to the client This provides evidence for unit 4 P2/M2/D2
Task 4 - Research Produce detailed research specific to your chosen Final Major Project idea. This research must include: ·         Technical code analysis of relevant games related products that have influenced your own Final Major Project idea. ·         Analysis of any websites, books and journals that you have researched to help you form your Final Major Project idea. ·         Primary research via questionnaire and/or focus group.                                                                                                                                                                                   This provides evidence for unit 4 P1, M1, D1
Task 5 – Pre-Production Use pre-production techniques to draw up plans for your chosen production. You must include the following, but are not limited exclusively to (specific to your production idea): ·         Sketches and initial art work/design concepts ·         Level designs ·         Game scripting schematics ·         Sound design scripts ·         Risk assessments ·         Character designs ·         Game narrative descriptions ·         Character profile descriptions ·         Colour palettes This provides evidence for unit 4 P3, M3, D3 & unit 5 P3/M3/D3
Task 6 – Final Major Project Production Produce the media production as per the brief. This provides evidence for unit 4 P3, M3, D3 & unit 5 P3/M3/D3
Task 7 - Evaluation Using a range of web 2.0 technologies, evaluate your success in responding to your Final Major Project brief. You must first gather audience feedback through online exhibition and the collation of questionnaire and focus group audience feedback. This feedback must be compiled and analysed prior to producing your evaluation. Your evaluation must contain detailed information that is specific to the following areas of your Final Major Project: 1.     Technical quality of final product (images, footage, use of sound, editing, layout, composition) 2.     Production skills you have newly acquired and existing skills you have further developed 3.     How closely your final product matches your original intentions (outlined in your Final Major Project proposal) 4.     Time management and problem solving (scheduling, practical constraints and strategies you used to overcome constraints) 5.     Reaching your target audience (audience response, your reactions to positive and negative criticism with reference to audience feedback you have gathered) 6.     Summary conclusion of how you would respond to your project brief if you were to do it again                                                                            This provides evidence for unit 5 P4, M4, D4
Evidence checklist
Task 1: 1 x word processed report that provides detailed information relating to different types of creative production briefs.		[ ]
Task 2: A range of ideas generation evidence using a broad range of appropriate techniques.		[ ]
Task 3: 1 x final project proposal form. 1 x visual slideshow for use in pitch. 1 x set of cue cards for use in pitch. 1 x recorded video of pitch presentation.		[ ]
Task 4: Primary research evidence via questionnaire and/or focus group. Secondary research analysis gathered from a range of secondary sources. 1 x secondary research references document produced in MS Word.		[ ]
Task 5: A range of pre-production documentation that is appropriate to your chosen production.		[ ]
Task 6: 1 x final major project production.		[ ]
Task 7: 1 x detailed evaluation produced using a range of web 2.0 technologies.		[ ]
Sources of information www.youtube.com

FMP Production Diary

FMP Production Diary

Mindmap of Ideas 22.02.2016

These are the mindmaps I created to show the ideas I had for my 3D environment. I started by choosing four different environments which I thought would work well. After some consideration I decided on the abandoned hospital environment as I thought this would work best. I then narrowed down the textures and objects which I would like to choose in my environment and noted them down. 

Primary Research - Questionnaire (Lighting, textures, audience preference) - 29.02.2016

I then devised a questionnaire which would help me make decisions on different aspects of my environment. Firstly I had to make the questionnaire in Microsoft Word. i then uploaded the questions to a website called survey monkey which gave me a web link that I could then send out to people to collect responses. The images show the information I gathered and people's personal opinions on different objects and textures which i then included in my chosen environment.

Secondary Research - Web, Print (Books and Magazines) - 07.03.2016

These are some images that I found on the internet which show a real abandoned hospital. These images provided me with some insight to what the environment could look like. it gave me ideas for colours ans textures as well as objects which I could include. 

Mood Board - Exploring different environments, textures and objects - 14.03.2016 and 21.03.2016

I crated this mood board to show different images that I had found on the internet. the mood board included the types of objects which i thought would fit into my chosen environment well. I also included images of pre existing abandoned hospitals to give me and idea of what the walls and floors may look like. 

Produce a floor plan/grid map for chosen 3D environment - 28.03.2016

I crated a gridded floor plan in Illustrator to help me with the building of my environment. This enabled me to set the plan to scale and also helped me to decide on a layout of rooms and corridors. 

Make a non-textured environment shell - 04.04.2016 and 11.04.2016

I then built my floor plan in Layout which enabled me to make the environment 3D. However after reviewing this with my tutor I decided to make the environment again in pro Builder as this was easier to texture. 

Make assets in Modeler - 02.05.2016 and 09.05.2016

I was able to access to Unity Assets Store in order to find objects that would be appropriate for my environment. I found lots of assets which were free which were great to add to my scene. I had to test them out in unity as some of the files were too big and therefore made the program run slow. 

Create textures for surfaces - 16.05.2016

I created a floor texture in Unity. I had to choose something which looked realistic. I had to create different texture maps and them put them all together in Unity to make the final product. 

I then repeated the same process but for the wall. The only difference was that I had to change the scale so that I could have a tiled design. 

FMP Schedule

Schedule 22.02.2016

Schedule 29.02.2016

Schedule 07.03.2016

Schedule 14.03.2016

Schedule 21.03.2016

Schedule 18.04.2016

Schedule 25.04.2016

Schedule 02.05.2016

Schedule 09.05.2016

Schedule 16.05.2016

Schedule 23.05.2016

Schedule 30.05.2016

Schedule 06.06.2016

Task 1 - FMP Different Types of Creative Project Briefs

Contractual Brief

This is a legal document between a client and an employee. It outlines the duties which will be required by the company and also how the company organises their work. The document will also include agreed prices, payment terms and expectations of the client. For this type of brief I think designing a Games review website would be appropriate.

Communication: The employer and the employee will first need to meet up face to face to obtain the brief, have the brief explained and sign the contract. They may then wish to liaise differently once the project has already started. This could be done through email, regular phonecalls or Skype.

Time Management: The employer will provide the employee with a set timescale to complete work. This will be at the employers discretion. They may say for example that they employee has six weeks to complete a certain task. If the employee then finished the task early they can move onto another one or if they haven’t finished then the employer may grant them an extension.

Technical Skills: The employee would need to have good background knowledge and use of IT skills.

Career progression: This could lead to career progression in creating your own business. Or if it doesn’t then it will provide you with good references and experience in this job role.

Formal Brief

This is a document which includes detailed information about what the client wishes for the company to achieve. This document is usually straightforward and it refrains from including any unwanted information. This brief is not always classified as a legal document.

Communication: The media company will be given the brief by a client which will outline the product that they want to be made. The media company will then examine the brief and determine whether or not these think there are any clauses. Once the media company have done this they will then meet up with the client face to face to discuss the brief and sign it. This then gives both parties the opportunity to negotiate.  

Time Management:This type of brief will not have a set timescale. It can often be agreed fairly quickly depending on the context of the brief. The media company will have a decision and a meeting set up within seven working days.  

Technical Skills: The media company will need to have good knowledge of legal issues and have somebody from the legal system to countersign. 

Career progression: This type of brief can help with career progression. It can assist you with creating your own business, this brief is different because it is a legal binding contract between both parties.

Example of a Formal Brief: 

Video Wall Project

Brief 2: IN Salford and Proud

1. The Client

Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust aims to be the safest organisation in the NHS through providing safe, clean and personal care to every patient, every time. We are an integrated provider of hospital, community and primary care services, including the University Teaching Hospital. Our team of 6,000 staff provide local services to the City of Salford and specialist services to Greater Manchester and beyond.  We have an excellent track record; having the highest consistent rating for service quality coupled with one of the highest sets of patient and staff satisfaction scores. Further information about the Trust can be found at: www.srft.nhs.uk

The hospital site is undergoing major redevelopment and will open a new main entrance in June 2011 in the new Hope Building. A new video wall will be installed in the main entrance in June 2011 and it will play key messages on a loop seven days a week.

2. Brief

To create and deliver a high quality film to promote that Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust is proud to be in Salford and to encourage others to view Salford in a different light.

The Trust is really proud to have a new modern building, which is a new civic landmark, and wants to remind people when they are on our new hospital site that there is so much to see in Salford.

Inspiration for the film should be taken from travel and tourism adverts that promote Ireland, Yorkshire etc.

Photography has been commissioned and we want to use this photography within the treatment of the film.

The films should be vibrant and exciting i.e. not a dull slide show of some beauty spots!

This film will play on a video wall in the main entrance of the hospital (Hope Building). It will be played on loop, with no sound.

It is anticipated this film will be 90-120 seconds; therefore it will need to captivate the audience.

3. Treatment

All recommendations will be considered. Trust photography must be incorporated.

4. Key messages

• Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust is proud to be IN Salford
• Did you know all these places are here IN Salford?

5. Branding

Any colours used within artwork will need to be part of the NHS palette, details of which can be found at: www.nhsidentity.nhs.uk

No additional photographs can be taken as we want to ensure the style of pictures throughout the film remain consistent.

The Trust is called ‘Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust’ or Salford Royal’ never Salford Royal Hospital or Hope Hospital.

IN Salford branding exists – magenta pink.

The Trust’s full logo is expected to appear at the introduction and end of the film.

The end of the film should credit: This film was proudly made IN Salford, by local students from Salford City College for Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust. It must also credit the artist.

6. Deadline

Friday 8 June 2012 - any films submitted to Salford Royal after this date will not be considered for use.

7. Project Management

Required support time with the client will need to be agreed in advance.

Issued to:

Salford City College, 7 March 2012

Issued by:

Anne-Marie Miller

Communications Manager

Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust

Informal brief

This brief outlines the project verbally and is usually less professional. This brief is different as it is not a written document. There is a discussion which is carried out between the employer and their client. They will both come to a general agreement over the details discussed in the contract.

Communication: As this type of brief is less formal and is more of an open conversation the communication is very laid back. The communication between both parties will often be carried out over emails, telephone conversations or even Skype. 

Time Management: As this brief is informal the timescale can be very flexible. The media company and client both have the opportunity to alter the timescale throughout the process. 

Technical Skills: There are not many technical skills involved with an informal brief. There is no legal issues to adhere to so the client just needs to be able to work the internet and have some knowledge of ICT. 

Career progression: The career progression can often be very unpredicatable as there is no written documentation or contract for proof of the employment.

Co-Operative Brief

This brief is different because it uses more than one production company. They are all employed to work on the same brief. They are all required to work as part of the same team despite being from different organisations. They will be given a certain deadline for when the project has to be completed. For using this brief the project I would use is making a game as you would need two different people (a developer and a producer).

Communication: The communication between companies would mainly be through phone calls and emails. They could also meet face to face for meetings and if for any reason somebody could not make the meeting they could use Skype.

Time Management: The time management for this type of brif can often be long period as it is more than one company working together so there are alot of different needs which need to be met. The timescale can also change and be put back if one of the companies disagrees with the proposed outcome. 

Technical Skills: The advantage of using this type of brief means that there are a wide range of different people working together which provides lots of different technical support. It would be beneficial to have a team leader from both companies who will oversee what is going on. There will also need to be people with good knowledge of ICT and people who can liase with the other company ovr the phone.   

Career progression:Although this provides great opportunities for carer progression this type of brief also has its disadvantages. It can be more prone to disagreements and conflict in the ideas being given by each of the different media companies.  

Negotiated Brief

This includes ideas from both the employer and the client. They both come to an agreement upon the brief of the project. It is important that both the client and the employer agree on the ideas of the brief or they may encounter problems in the future.

Communication: The communication throughout this brief will often be done over emails. Although once a brief has been decided both parties will need to meet up face to face to negotiate. This will give each individual in the party an opportunity to have his/her say and there will be an overall decision made. 

Time Management: The negotiated brief can often waste time unnecessarily because issues may be brought up that the clients from either party believe need to be discussed when in theory they don't.    

Technical Skills: There are not really any technical skills involved for this type of brief. There just needs to be an appointed person from each party to make the final decisions.

Career progression: This type of brief can open up a range of different career opportunities because of its nature to negotiate. 

Commission Brief

This type of brief is where a large corporation employ and independent company to create their product or project for them. This type of brief will be negotiated between two companies as opposed to an external client.

Communication: The communication is between a large company and an independent smaller company. The communication will often start through emails and written correspondance. However the companies will have to arrange meetings where they can meet face to face in order to negotiate with one another. 

Time Management: The large company will be able to to sub contract the work which will mean that their workload is less. This means they will have a larger timescale to oversee what the smaller independent companies are working on. 

Technical Skills: The individuals who are working on this type of brief will have to possess excellent communication skills in order to be able to negotiate and make decisions with both companies. 

Career progression: This type of agreement means that the employer will work on commission. Therefore they will make money depending on the quantity of their workload. This can be a good career opportunity. 

Example of a Commission Brief:

https://www.rocketlawyer.com/secure/interview/questions.aspx?document=55367037&id=1659#q1

Above is a link to an example of a Commission Brief.

Tender Brief

For this type of brief the client will have to make their own advertisement which will state that they need a certain media product to be created. The potential employer will then make a brief which will be accompanied by a proposal which is then pitched to the client. The client will then decides between employers which they feel is the best pitch and proposal.

Communication:The client will initially have to communicate with an advertising company or somebody who can assist them with advertising their chosen product. The communication between the client and company would have to be face to face in order to pitch the proposal. This could also be achieved through video link. 

Time Management: This type of brief can be very time consuming due to the nature of the tasks involved. The client will have to allow themselves lots of time for preparation and advertising. 

Technical Skills: The client will have to be able to have the skills to advertise or have contacts with somebody in this profession. 

Career progression: This type of brief can lead to a range of different career paths. It gives the client a broad range of technicality including advertising, creating pitches and proposal and marketing. 

Competition brief

This is a brief which can be accessed to all of the companies which are involved in the process. Each of the different corporations will be expected to provide their own brief. All of the completed projects created by each company will then be judged and the one who’s is the best will receive the publication from the client. For this type of brief the project I think would work well is a Short Film competition.

Communication: The communication between the companies will initially be through emails and phonecalls. However once the short film showing has been decided and a venue has been arranged the companies will need to meet face to face. This could be through meetings and at the film showing.

Time Management: You would not need lots of preparation time. Maybe just 1-2 months. The making of the films and modification of the films will take the longest time to prepare. Everything else will follow on from this.

Technical Skills: There will need to be somebody who obtains knowledge of editing software. A technician will be needed for the showing of the films. Each company would need to assign one person for the admin duties. This would mean that any communication would go through one person so that the correspondence is all up to date.

Career Progression: This would be good for career progression as it would provide positive references from employers.

Example of Competition Brief:

Client: Robert Redford, Sundance Productions and AEG Europe

Media Products: The film challenge is to produce a three to five minute short film around the theme ‘Story of our time’. The requirements include: Entirely original film content, between 3-5 minutes long including credits and abide by all of the rules which have been set out.  

Timescale: The competition will be launched on 14^th December 2011 and the Deadline for entries will be 5pm on Thursday 28^th February 2012. This gives a total of 11 weeks to get the short film submitted.

Target Audience: The short film which wins will be shown at an arts festival. So the target audience would be creative/arts individuals.

Legal and Ethical issues: They may encounter issues with copyright or the content of the videos may offend people.      

Constraints: There may be problems with budget as it costs a lot of money to produce. The timescale may be too short. They may have problems with the length of the product e.g. keeping within the 3-5 minute guidelines.