Finance
When it comes to finance, there are plenty of ways to fund all types of media such as film, TV and other moving image productions. The first example, is self -funding. Self-funding is when the producers of a media product decide they want to pay for and fund everything to do with the production. Films or TV shows that are self-funded are typically more low-budget; however, still be really good. Self-funding means that a filmmaker doesn't have to deal with any investors and can be more straightforward. An example of a movie that is self-funded is 'The Blair Witch Project', it was shot on an original budget of 35-60,000 dollars (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Blair_Witch_Project)
Now that the filmmaker has the funding, they would need to think about the requirements of the film. These are the things that the funds will need to be spent on.
Such as:
-Equipment ( Cameras, Sound equipment)
-Props and costumes
-Actors/ Actresses
-Editing software
-A crew
For our video, we needed equipment which we could borrow, we didn't need to spend on props and costumes as we just wore casual clothes and used props that we already had. We needed an editing software for when we got round to editing. The college already had 'Premiere Pro' installed on the computers so we could eventually edit. Talent (actors/actresses) were required with our story, however, a couple of us volunteered to be in front of the camera and other members of the group were behind camera (voiceover, camera operator)
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All media productions need a production team, this is compulsory for a film to be a success. A production team includes
-Director
-Producer
-Screenwriter
-Production Designer
-Editor
-Actors/actresses
and so many more roles
More specifically, different types of media need different makeup of a production team for whatever they're producing. A typical makeup of a low-budget short film would be a director, actors, screenwriter and editors as there's not a big budget going into the film so more roles can't be fulfilled as they can't be afforded. A television program would need slightly more team members as their work is being broadcast-ed for a large audience. However, television companies would have a higher budget than a low-budget film. A typical television program would need a casting director, costume designer, director, location manager, makeup artist, producer, screenwriter and possibly a researcher if doing a documentary etc. A Hollywood feature film would need a massive production team,
In addition to a media crew, other contribution may be required to make a perfect media text. This may include experts in certain subjects, especially in documentaries and news reports when the correct information and research is needed. Witnesses may also be required for news reports to recount things from their point of view as proof of an event happening. For dramas, set designers may be required for realistic looking settings.
A major thing in the production of a media is time frames and deadlines. These are essential and must be followed as not following them can result in consequences such as getting fired from your role in the production. Personally, in our production, we managed to follow all deadlines. We completed all pre-production paperwork in the two weeks we were given. We then had roughly four weeks to complete filming and editing. Our deadline for the video to be completed for November 29th and we managed to get or video posted on that date. Failure to do so would have resulted in a fail in this unit.
Equipment is an important requirement for a production. To obtain equipment, it can either be bought or borrowed/loaned. You can also look into Professional Facility Houses. These help with the post-production process such as online and offline editing, graphics etc. An example of a Professional Media Facility house is
https://www.the-hall.co.uk/
For our Depict project, we were able to borrow equipment This equipment included a camera (Canon EOS 700D), tripod, and sound equipment such as a tascam and microphone. We had to return the at the end of each filming session so we had to make sure that we didn't break them.
When making a production, you need to legally have permission to film in certain locations , this can be done through documents called 'Location Recces' and 'Location Releases' . A loaction recce, is a document which determines whether or not a location is safe enough to film in. It outlines all risks involved. A location release, is a form which grants you as a filmmaker permission to film at the location, as the owner if its a private property has to sign it to say that they're totally fine with you using their property in your production. For our depict video, we picked our locations based on our storyline; so if a character was studying, we would choose outside skills because it has tables where studying can take place, it also has vending machines which were included in our planning.
Materials
As well as equipment, crew and cast, other materials may be needed in order to produce a moving image. One of these materials may be music. Some productions may not require music, however, most do require music to set an atmosphere or complete the video. Research may also be an important material required depending on the kind of production being made. Typically, research needs to be done for a documentary or a film based upon a realistic event, every aspect of the production from the setting to storyline depends on having the correct information.
Some materials may require financial considerations; this may be the case for music as to use decent or popular music, you would have to pay. This is because the music is copyright. If a filmmaker wants to avoid this, they could use royalty free music which is totally free, music which anybody is able to use and is not copyrighted.
Legal Issues
When making a moving image, legal issues need to be put into consideration. One thing that needs to be considered is the talent (people) used in the moving image. Talent is anybody on-screen or off-screen if in a voice over. They need to sign a form to be legally allowed to appear in a production. If over eighteen, they can sign for themselves but if under eighteen, they are still a minor and need a parent/ guardian's permission to be in the production. This is something that we had to do as a group before we started filming.
Another legal issue is copyright. As said by (https://www.gov.uk/copyright) 'Copyright protects your work and stops others from using it without your permission'. When creating original work (literay, dramatic, musical , sound, web content etc) the owner gets automatic copyright protection without paying a fee or applying. To prove that your work is copyrighted, you can use the copright symbol, however, whether you use it or not it doesn't differ the level of protection you have. Copyright prevents people from stealing, performing your work, putting it online and so many other things.
Copyright didn't effect our work too much; however, we did have to be weary when shooting some scenes such as the vending machine scene as we couldn't show logos for the drinks as it would be breaking copyright rules.
Some other things to consider are 'Clearence', 'Public Liability Insurance' and 'Completion Garuntee Insurance'.
Clearence - Securing permission to use copyrighted material.
Public Liability Insurance - 'Covers the cost of claims made by the public for incidents that occur within your business activities' (https://www.abi.org.uk/products-and-issues/choosing-the-right-insurance/business-insurance/liability-insurance/public-liability-insurance/) This means that if you were making a moving image and suring the process of production, somebody was injured or their property is damaged, it can cover you from a compensation claim.
Completion guarantee/insurance - This is insurance that guarantees that the producer of the the moving image will complete the film and send it to the distributor. This is normally used in independently funded films and is offered by a completion guarantor company.
Regulation
Regulatory bodies are important too. A regulatory body is a public or government agency which oversees specific industries or practises .The main targets of media regulation are the press, radio and television. An example of a Regulatory body is 'OFCOM'. OFCOM 'has a statutory duty to represent the interests of citizens and consumers by promoting competition and protecting the public from harmful or offensive material' (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ofcom)
Like Television , press and radio, film also has a regulatory body. This is the 'BBFC'. This is' a non-governmental organisation and is responsible for the national classification and the censorship of films exhibited at cinemas' (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Board_of_Film_Classification) it also does this for television programmes, trailers and adverts.
Trade Unions
A Trade Union is an association of workers in a particular trade or industry. A Trade Union is formed to protect rights and interests. They are important because they can negotiate with employers on pay and conditions and provide members with legal and financial advice
A Trade Association is a body of organizations within the same trade. 'It aims to protect their collective interests, especially in negotiations with governments and trade unions' (https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/trade-association)
Some examples of trade unions are 'PACT' and 'BECTU'.
PACT is a trade union which represents the interests of UK independent television and film companies. It states it 'helps to shape the best possible regulatory and legislative environment for the independent production sector grow domestically and internationally'.
BECTU is another trade union which supports members working in non-performance roles in broadcasting , film and cinema. They also do things such as negotiate pay with employers. An example of a Trade Association, is 'Screenskills'. This is an industry led charity which make sure that on-screen industries have the skills they need
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