Pre-Production Report

Lingfield College BTEC Media
Daniel Bishun 1
DANIEL
BISHUN
UNIT 4:
Pre-Production Portfolio

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CONTENTS PAGE
CONTENTS PAGE#
1. Finance. 3 + 4
2. Sources of finance: private, public, joint financing. 5
3. Requirements of finance: for equipment, crew, transport, materials,
clearances, talent, facility hire.
6 + 7
4. Logistics. 8
5. Time: deadlines, availability of equipment, availability of personnel,
timescales.
9
6. Facilities: production equipment, post-production equipment,
facility houses, prop houses, sourcing and costs of facilities.
10
7. Locations: identification; recces; limitations and risks, e.g. distance,
access, cost, weather.
11
8. Personnel: technical crew, actors, extras, contributors, e.g. experts,
specialists.
12
+13
9. Materials: type, e.g. original materials, archive and library materials,
photo-library materials, sound library materials, internet, assets,
audio, script, animatic, graphics, interviews, costumes, properties,
recorded music, sources; costs; clearances.
14
10. Adherence to codes of practice and regulation. 15
11. Clearances, e.g. Mechanical-Copyright Protection Society (MCPS),
health and safety, Regulations E.G. OFCOM, Independent Press
Standards Organization (IPSO), Advertising Standards Authority
(ASA).
16
12. Trade unions and professional bodies, e.g. Producers Alliance for
Cinema and Television (Pact), National Union of Journalists (NUJ).
17
13. Storyboards 18
14. Storylines 19
15. Page Mock-ups 20
16. Templates for scripts (written/dialogue/sound) 21
17. How Pre-Production work supports the overall effectiveness of a
production?
22

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FINANCE
Budgeting, throughout media production, is a
key aspect within the pre-production stage.
Without budgeting the medium in which you are
producing can easily become too expensive for
you and your clients. Ultimately, your consumers
are paying you to make the best media product as
possible and by budgeting you can allocate
money within the different aspects to maximise
your chances of pleasing the clients. Budgeting can become the foundations of any medium with
poor budgeting management, you can be left with lots of money or you may have spent too much
therefore this decreases the profit margins.
Budgeting is essential within the film industry due to the large timescale the
directors have to create the film. Often directors and their team, budget and
plan their funds prior to shooting the film. This way they have enlarged their
chances of success. Films have a large budget because of the shear amount of
work that is needed to make the film, each production company needs many
workers to edit the film as well as actors and makeup artists. Each of the
employees need to be paid as well as the props and camera equipment need to
be accounted for. From secondary research, I can infer that Iron Man 3 had
a £150 million budget. Advertising was an also key part of the budgeting process.
Advertising can become the key turning point in any film with effective and
targeted advertising can aid and enhance the total profit.
Not only budget allocation is important within the film industry, the television business
benefits from budgeting as well. TV shows don’t require as extensive resources but
without an effective budget plan the TV show can become a failure and potentially lose
money due to no TV companies airing their show. On average, TV shows has a budget
of £2.6 million however according to ‘CinemaBlend’ the most expensive TV show of
all time was ‘The Crown’ which had an astonishing $130 million budget. The show is a historical
drama therefore the costumes and set design would have cost a majority of the budget in order to
replicate a specific time period.
Smaller financial resources include the radio and digital games industries. These industries can
often rely on their consumers to return after a prior edition of the medium which that company
had produced. For example, game industries bring out a sequel of different games meaning their
consumers will have liked the previous game so would buy the next one. This is a common theme

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within most media industries – where producers rely on past watchers of a film/
TV show as well as previous games to increase sales of the next production.
Within the radio industry there is an oligopoly of companies meaning the
competition for revenue is increased. Radio companies have a minimal budget
compared to that of a film production business. Radio companies license takes up a majority of
their budget with the equipment following closely behind. The larger the budget the more
consumers they will attract. This is always a risk but can bring a greater reward. The better audio
equipment a production has the less likely they will cause faults meaning the radio/ audio
company wouldn’t be able to operate.
Both Radio and Television also rely on advertising other companies within their media product to
gain an income which can then be used within the production of a further product.
Digital advertising is becoming more apparent everyday with new and innovative ideas entering
our lives. Every business uses advertising, but the increasing importance of digital advertising is
exponentially growing with over 80% of companies plan to increase their marketing budgets over
the next year according to a study by ‘Mondo’
The digital games industry is ever expanding with the increase in digital technologies therefore the
creation of digital games is also expanding. The games industry, despite not being
the biggest field within the media, has a varied budget with games such as Grand Theft
Auto V had a budget of $265 million with 48% of that going towards the
marketing of the product. This statistic shows that marketing can help
promote and sell most media products. On the other hand, the game ‘World
of Warcraft’ had a budget of $40 million with 0% of that going towards
marketing the game meaning less people would have known about the game
than marketed ones. Marketing is a vital aspect within the post production
stage as company needs to promote their film.

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REQUIREMENTS OF FINANCE
Budgeting is a key feature to lead to success. The production company would have been given a
maximum fund to which they have to follow to maximise victory. The budget needs to be split into
sections. These sections would be given an allocation of the overall budget to use. This can be
used on various areas including equipment needed and staff wage.
Equipment
The film industry requires a vast amount of equipment. This long list includes cameras,
lighting, microphones and much more. Not only the equipment on set is expensive the
editing software can also cost a lot, if you are creating a sci-fi film the use of CGI can
be pivotal in reaching your aim.
The audio industry requires less equipment due to the lack of camera work on set. Audio
production companies primarily use microphone to express their medium, however the
apparatus needed to air the podcast/radio station can sometimes be very costly,
depending on the scale in which you are publishing it.
Transport
TV production companies use transport to transit crew members around the set, country
or even the globe. TV production companies must budget for travel expenses as well as
producing the show. Sometimes your hosts have to travel by plane and stay in a hotel –
these all have to be accounted for when you begin to budget. Within the film industry
the travelling budget is also key within pre-production budgeting. Unlike these
industries, radio companies are stationary and usually only need to stay in one place throughout
the recording.
Crew
The crew hiring process is indispensable when coming to shooting your film. Without the
right actors, your production can become a complete failure. Not only the actors have to
be ideal for the film, the cameramen/camerawomen and light/sound technician need to
be able to cope with the constant high pressure in order to execute the films aim.
Materials
The costumes/ props needed are also imperative to success. If the actors are wearing the
appropriate clothing the more realistic the film looks. Although the audience don’t
always expect elaborate clothing, the basic attire for that genre is fundamental. Within
the film industry the costumes/props is indispensable within creating an Oscar winning
masterpiece therefore production companies would spend big. The digital publishing
industry materials can be vital in creating the perfect image for the audience.

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Clearances
The digital gaming industry along with many other industries require many
agreements and licenses to publish the media product. The gaming industry
professionals are strict on laws and agreements, as little as a picture of a
famous person can cause major uproar. By getting the correct license and
clearance, you should be one step forward towards worldwide success.
Despite sometimes costing a lot, without getting the correct requirements
your production can easily become targeted by the professional and legal
personnel meaning a possible fine. This is common across every media industry; the clearance
procedure is fundamental.
Talent
Searching for the next big talent in the digital industry can be integral
to progress. The industry professionals are always searching for next
innovative way to advertise a product; with the increase in technology
they feel a new and exciting way will be just around the corner.
Increased finance can lead to better trained professionals teaching
those who have just started the digital production ladder. Those who
have been in the industry a while need to be able to adapt to the new
features which are entering the market. If an editor is behind and still
uses old marketing techniques, this can possibly lead to a decrease in sales. The industry experts
are also reliant on teaching the younger ones, famous marketing techniques however the
beginners are usually creative and are able to create something new and innovative which attracts
a large audience.
Facility Hire
Whilst on set filming the facilities needed, must be up to industry standard.
Therefore, if you are creating a film the set must be perfect for that genre e.g. if
you’re creating a thriller film you don’t want a happy/idyllic setting. Subsequently
during the editorial stage, a calm environment can also aid to success.
Furthermore, whilst editing the software you use on the computers can also
boost your chances of increasing sales. The use of a Green screen is
increasing now technology is expanding. Green screen equipment is also
needed. Not only using a green screen is an innovative editing technique but
the use of CGI is second to none in the digital gaming industry.

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LOGISTICS
To plan the logistics of a production are the key part within the pre-production stage.
Prior to filming, a production company have to blueprint the main features needed to create a production.
These features include locations, props, time restraints and actors needed. Without these clearly planned
out, the production stage can slowly become an impossible task.
Location
Finding the perfect location can be a struggle but the production company must plan the venue months
before filming. Although you may feel finding the location can be as easy as just researching it, the
production company need to do a recce of the area – a safety plan needs to be constructed with possible
hazards and resolutions to those problems if they occur.
Call Sheets
Call Sheets are a logical plan which is used on set to plan the day out. Within the call sheets the starting
time and estimated finishing times feature within. Also detailed on the call sheet is any possible breaks and
if so, when they are. The producers and directors name and contact number also are essential for filming
because if one of the crew members fall late or are ill they can contact them therefore the production team
can find a replacement.
Safety/ Contingency Plans
A safety plan is essential when filming because if there is an incident, the appropriate safety members know
who to contact and how to resolve the issue. Of course, if there is a major accident the emergency services
would be called but if there was an issue with a piece of the filming equipment, there would need to be a
backup plan. A contingency plan is a back-up plan if one of the members of the crew falls ill or can’t make it
to the shoot. A contingency plan can also be built if the setting requires a certain weather, when will the
production company refilm?
As you can see logistics within the film and television industry are a big deal but within the audio, digital
games and digital publishing industry the key logistics remain prominent.

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The audio industry also requires extensive
logistic planning. The production team need
to assemble a main plan on the scripts,
location of recording and the publication
process. The production process can be
complex because of the amount of license
agreements within the audio industry.
Although other media platforms require
licensing, radio companies concentrate on
this because of the simplicity within filming
because only suitable microphone
equipment needed.
Audio Digital Games/ Publishing
The digital industry is expanding therefore the need for
the latest digital trends is ever increasing. Like the film
industry, the need for logistical planning is becomemore
important than ever. Although not as extensive as the film
industry, digital publishing companies require major
planning prior to releasing their medium. These planning
procedures include the location/s where the product is
being released and how it attracts the specific target
audience. Digital Games firms hire specialists who are
experts in knowing when and where to publish their
game. The gaming industry require professionals who
have the correct skills to create the ideal game for that
genre. For example, the creators of Halo require specific
computer graphics to create the aliens/robots. If the
creators decided not to include the halo characters in the
next game, this will have a major impact on sales as the
fans of the game expect to see the characters involved. In
the publishing and gaming industry, the design stage is
paramount to success

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FACILTIES
The availability of specific facilities is key within the planning stage of the pre- production. Not
only does a production company have to worry about the idea and execution of those, the
enterprise also has to worry about the equipment and safety of actors. The actors usually have to
stay nearby to the set due to very early start times meaning the production company has to
budget for that as well.
PRODUCTION EQUIPMENT
Most private based and some joint-financed companies cannot afford to
buy production equipment therefore they rent it, where are they going to
rent it from? How much will it cost? When do we have to hand it back? These
all some of several questions the production company has to consider before
starting production. On the other hand, public sourced companies can afford
to buy specialist equipment which can lead to increased profits.
POST-PRODUCTION EQUIPMENT
It’s not just the production company with need to be accounted for. The post-production
equipment can be very costly too. Public sourced companies can often afford to
spend money on specific editing software. The choice of genre can also
aid towards the cost of the post-production equipment. This is because if
a public sourced company choses to create an action film with lots of CGI,
this is easily possible. However, if you are a joint-financed or private
company, the use of CGI can be too expensive for the company. The use
of adobe creative cloud is now becoming a software which most
companies are using. In adobe creative cloud, you can create anything,
video, film or even music.
SOURCING
Sourcing these facilities can be costly but for public sourced firms this price doesn’t affect their
overall budget compared other factors needed in production. Private sourced companies struggle
to afford these specific items which are used in major productions. Joint financed companies can
afford the basic amenities needed in production but for equipment that is advanced, this process
of sourcing a dealership where you can rent the equipment is vital.
COSTS OF FACILITIES
The cost of these facilities need to be incorporated within the pre-production planning stage of
budgeting. Larger production companies can afford to spend more on the perfect
equipment therefore to spend more on production isn’t a worry. Unlike, within the
smaller private based company using big professional cameras can be threatening
to the budget therefore they opt for a smaller camera.

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LOCATIONS
The location where you film is a genre signifier to the audience therefore it is imperative that the
location matches the genre. Researching for the location can be time worthy but finding the
perfect place is integral for success. Location scouters are assigned to pinpoint the
perfect location for the film/advert/ TV show that is wanted to be created. The
location scouter is also appointed to agree legal clearances with the
owners of the setting.
Identification
After the producers have invented the main plot, a primary setting is often spoken about during
the planning stage therefore the identification and scouting process is much easier for those in
charge. Most scouters have a database which has a brief description of each set and they have to
match up the producer’s final idea with the sets on offer. If the production company don’t appoint
a location scouter, there is a chance of turning up to filming on the first day without any
of the backdrop that is needed. This can be time-consuming therefore the
scouter has to make sure they are correct prior to filming day.
Recces
A recce is a primary scout over a particular location prior to filming there. The recce stage
determines suitability and sustainability for the entire filming process. Every production company
before selecting a location for filming send one member of the crew to recce the area
and its surroundings. By recceing the area allows the production team to check if
that location is ideal for the medium that is going to be created. Another reason
companies send experts off the scout the area is to make sure the set is safe and
can facilitate all the enterprise’s needs- this saves time and money.
Limitations + Risks
As with every location, there are many risks and safety precautions which have to be accounted
for. During the pre-production stage the safety advisor has to report back to the firm of any safety
hazards and how to avoid them, this process is called a risk assessment. If a location fails the
companies risk assessment they will have to consider another area to film. Whilst filming the
weather can play a major part in the scene therefore if It is raining and not capable for filming the
production company will have to re film another day, this is outlined in the
contingency plan. The location also has to be relatively accessible to the public, for
example, the main location cannot be in the mountains every day which is hard
for all of the crew to access. If the plan implies a mountain scene/s it is important
that you have all the correct equipment before ascending up the mountain.

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PERSONNEL
The personnel in which operate within the production company are important to
its success within the industry. The production company have to create a
shortlist of possible candidates for each job within the chosen project. In
the film industry, many technical experts are needed as well as the top
actors. Production companies usually spend big on actors because within
the advertising stage prior to release by using famous actors increase sales.
Each actor has their own star persona which broadens the target audience.
However, the actor need to be sufficient for the task ahead, for example a famous action movie
actor is unlikely to feature within a kid’s film. This is because usually children won’t know the actor
therefore spending a lot on the actor has no financial benefit.
Technical Crew
The crew behind the camera is as important to the actors in front. Within the digital games,
publishing and audio industry they sometimes don’t have to worry about what’s in
front of the camera but just the editors creating the media production. The technical
crew within the TV and film industry are a crucial aspect during the filming and
editorial stage. Each crew member brings their own qualities when filming to
create the best possible production as possible.
Actors
The choice of actors is a major aspect which contributes to success. If a production team use a
famous actor usually they will increase sales. For example, if Leonardo DiCaprio was in an action
film he would use his notorious star person to increase the target audience, DiCaprio would bring
a female dominated audience. If you combined him with other action notable stars, your
production is destined for success. However, hiring Leonardo can severely affect the budget. The
gaming industry often use voiceovers to also sell and promote their game therefore the choice of
commentator is vital to indicate the genre. For example, if a football game incorporates a football
commentator we can indict the genre from adverts we hear on the screen. If we hear the reputable
commentator on screen without seeing any visuals we instant identify the game and want to watch
the whole trailer. Martin Tyler, a FIFA commentator, has a distinctive voice
therefore is a signifier for the genre because if fans hear his voice we know
it’s the FIFA game instantly. This links with the digital advertising industry
where experts cleverly position their advert amongst other TV shows
within the same field.

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Extras
The extras within the production also play a major role, especially within the TV industry. TV shows
such as EastEnders use extras to make the TV show as realistic as possible. Often these extras don’t
say anything on set but are essential to create the TV show as real as possible especially within the
soap genre. These genres try to replicate real life actions therefore if the production company
don’t use any extras the set behind the actors on screen would be empty, which wouldn’t be the
case in real life. The extras also create an atmosphere behind the actors which create a sense of
verisimilitude.
Contributors
Most production companies have contributors which help the final production. Most
private companies need financial and editorial support. This support allows the editors
to enhance their skills which they can add to their CV for later job offers as well as
enhancing the current project. Experts are assigned to help those less equipped to the
equipment build on their knowledge.

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MATERIALS
The materials needed for a production make up a majority of the budget
which is assigned to the production stage. The equipment required on set is
important to set the scene as well as the equipment filming the set is essential within the
production stage. The materials needed within the audio industry mainly focus on the sound of the
speaker rather than video equipment as this is not necessary. Big audio firms such as Capital Radio
occasionally include video footage for their viewers to watch online but smaller radios / podcast
stick mainly to audio footage. Smaller start up audio companies release podcasts on SoundCloud
or YouTube because it is free to upload and can be easily advertised on social media. Within the
offices of the audio company they would usually have a specific sound enhanced room to cancel
out excess unwanted sound.
Graphical Design
Not only the sound is important but the graphics/animations upon editing need to be professional
and relevant for the aim. The graphical design is the key aspect within the digital gaming and
publishing industries. Both of these industries rely on the animated design which
promotes their respective medium. Graphic designers are appointed to create an
animated production piece as required to by the producers of the production.
Costumes and Props
Costumes and props are another material which needs to be purchased prior to filming day.
Dependent on the genre the costume can be expensive, for example if you are creating a Victorian
TV show, like Downton Abbey, chances are the costume value is much higher than costume for a
comedy, like Friends. Props for action films can also be more expensive than props for a comedy.
All of these factors need to be accounted for when planning the budget. Often within the TV
industry, public companies are known for their elaborate set designs so they can spend big on
perfect costumes for the genre.
Legal Agreements
The music sourced has to be clear of copyright issues to stop the government for
closing down your production. Getting the correct agreements for your digital
game/TV show or film can be time consuming but is necessary for production
and legalized success within the industry. Other agreements such as contract
agreements for the staff as well as the actors need to be legal and sufficient for
both parties.

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The security of the company new and innovative idea is indispensable. Therefore, everything
designed and created must be confidential prior to release date. In the digital publishing industry,
a new way of advertising may be created but if any of the advertising technique is released to
other advertisers before the article is released, the company will have a severe decline in profits.
REGULATIONS
During the pre-production stage, media firms have to undergo extensive research so they adhere
to code of practice and regulation that are given to them by the industry professionals. This
comprehensive research is vital into publishing your production within the legal requirements. If a
production enterprise doesn’t follow by these strict rules, there is a chance of their whole
production becoming a failure and possibly having to pay a fine.
Copyright - the exclusive and assignable legal right, given to the originator for a fixed
number of years, to print, publish, perform, film, or record literary, artistic, or musical material.
Copyright is a law which gives the creators of a specific media product security and exclusive rights
to distribute this for a specific amount of time. For example, if an artist creates a song but a film
director also uses the same song, this act would need permission from the federal government
and the original creators of the song. If copyright was not in existence, the film directors could
gain a profitable value for a media product which they didn’t produce. This subsequently would
give any gained money to the original producers. In the UK, copyright laws last for the lifetime of
the creator plus another 70 years after their death. However, there are some
exceptions where there is a shorter period of cover. This law means that after the
period of security anyone can use the creator’s media product without any signed
agreements.
Defamation - the action of damaging the good reputation of someone/business
The defamation law allows individuals or companies to sue for damage to their reputation. This
law can be used if one company mocks another and subsequently weakens the defender.
Defamation has other synonyms which are often use within the media such as ‘slander’ and ‘libel.
An example of an individual suing is when a magazine wrote an article stating David Beckham had
hired a prostitute. Beckham sued however was unsuccessful as he has no proof to claim to
magazine acted in a cruel manner. Due to his failure, his €25 million claim was dismissed. An

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example of a positive outcome for a famous star was in November 2013, The Sun claimed he had
cheated on his girlfriend. 3 months later, he took the newspaper to court and succeeded. The
newspapers publisher apologized and agreed to pay, which was believed to be at least five figures.

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TRADE UNIONS +
PROFESSIONAL BODIES
BECTU is the UK’s leading media + communications trade union organisation. The BECTU was
formed in 1991 and has original aims of ‘organising skill and sacrifice of
many groups of workers’. Within this association, the BECTU have many
associates which includes the TUC (Trades Unions) which is the world’s
leading umbrella organisation which handles all the UK’s Unions. By having
strong support from a legalised firm means associates can benefit from
support and power from the best. The BECTU consists of seven UK unions in
the entertainment section – this group of Unions is known as the Federation
of Entertainment Unions. Apart from the BECTU – Equity, Musicians Union
and Professional Footballers Association. On January 1, 2017 BECTU merged
with Prospect (union for industry professionals) and now has over 40,000
members and offers a large number of services.
Producers Alliance for Cinema + Television (PACT)
The PACT trade union is an association which campaigns for their
members with issues within the media. One of the main issues raised
within the media in general is the lack of diversity throughout the
industry. The rise of equality is slowing becoming equal however
there are still individuals/companies who still aid towards one
gender/race or even age. PACT members are advised to sign a
pledge which wants diversity amongst the media and life in general. From the PACT website, they
state ‘Pact is committed to improving diversity within the media industry and work collaboratively
with both our members and broadcasters to ensure that diversity is at the very heart of their
businesses.’
Union of Journalists (NUJ)
The NUJ is a trade union for journalists In the UK + Ireland. The NUJ states
‘our members campaign and negotiate to ensure we are properly rewarded
for the skilled work we do’. This seems simple but there have been many
cases where they have been underpaid for work. One example of this is a
case in November 2017 where it was claimed that eight out of ten women
at the BBC believe they are paid less than males in the same occupation. As
part of the NUJ’s work to bring equality within their union, they felt
strongly about this accusation. Further research taken out by the NUJ infers that after the
publication by the BBC of on-air producers who earned over £100,00. The publication indicated

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that only a third were women and furthermore an astonishing 10% of the 96 named were black or
from minority ethnic background.

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