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Unit 4, 5 and 62 Assignment 1
Task 2 – Working to a brief
A brief is an agreement between the client and the company that lets both parties know of the
correct aims and objectives of the project, either clearly defined in the initial stages or as an evolving
process as the communication between the client and the company progresses. All projects start out
by some form of a brief.
Contractual briefs
A contract brief is a binding contract between the client and the employee (the producer). The
contractual brief explains how the company schemes its work and the duties required. The
contractual brief states how much the employee will receive once the production is done. The
contractual brief includes many other areas within it such as what the employee is agreeing to, it
also includes the general liability insurance. Producers in the media industry most often use
contractual briefs. In brief, it is a legal contract between the client and the employee which
describes the task required to be done, the price and also the payment terms. The advantages of
these types of contracts are that it is easy for the client to complete the production with extra
information; it also allows them to have more control over the process. The disadvantages are for
the producer making the contract as there may be disagreements between what the client and the
producer would like to be on the contractual brief.
Negotiated briefs
Negotiated briefs are the type of brief that is flexible and may change during the process due to
requirements from either the employee or the company. Negotiated briefs are one of the types of
briefs that are much more relaxed than others. Negotiated briefs can have input from both sides of
the creation, the company and the clients, which means this kind of brief is open to interpretation.
Negotiated briefs include what needs to be done as well as other information such as the target
group, size, cost, medium required, scope of work, quantity, siting and time frame. The usual client
that most often uses this type of brief is mostly a small company that is open to negotiation in order
to suit both the employee and their own company. The communication between the company and
the employee is vital whilst doing this type of a brief as the brief is created by both parties and all
decisions are made together.
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Description
about the
project and
how the stop-
motion will be
produced.
Timescale
of the
Research project.
sources for
the project.
Stating how the project will be re-
evaluated and reviewed for later
change for both the company and
the employee to have an input.
Formal briefs
Formal briefs are briefs that may change overtime by the client as the production develops due to
additional requirements needed that may be put in by the client. This brief is also relaxed like
negotiated briefs and the layout is very calm and is easy to read. Due to this structure of formal
briefs it is much easier for the client to understand and create the product.
Informal briefs
Informal briefs are usually done a lot simpler and are generally less specific to the person, informal
wouldn’t be made or given to a person directly usually, they would get it off the internet or from a
company; the aspects of the brief must usually appeal to all members from the client list. One of the
advantages of doing an informal brief is that it is very laidback, which creates a relaxed environment
for the client and the employee and therefore the product can be created much more quickly. One
disadvantage of an informal brief is that it is most usually seen as unprofessional and unclear and
could create confusion between the client and the employee.
An example of an Informal Brief:
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Brief introduction of the company.
Talks about what they
need the client to help
them out with.
Sets a deadline for the
project and talks about the
project fee.
Details on how to apply.
Another example of an informal brief done directly to a person that notifies the company that they
are resigning:
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Tender briefs
Tender briefs are the type of brief that producers receive if they are new to the company. Whilst on
a tender brief, you develop your ideas amongst others and then based on the quality of your work,
the company decides whether you are suitable to be the client or not. The advantage of a tender
brief is that it is relaxed and easy to do. A disadvantage of a tender brief is that at the end you may
not be chosen by the company as the final client.
Commission briefs
Commission briefs are much like other briefs however the main difference is that they allow
compensation to the clients, the service that they give is called commission or brokerage.
Commission briefs are unique as they are the only type of brief that allows the customer to apply to
get the money back.
Co-operative briefs
Co-operative briefs are the type of brief that allows there to be two or more parties involved in the
brief; it allows a number of clients to work together. This is quite different to other briefs as it allows
more than one person to be involved with the brief.
Competition briefs
Competition briefs are used in competitions and are given to the participants within that
competition; it explains to the clients what they must do to enter the competition and lets them
understand how to complete the competition, this type of brief involves and is centred on the
audience. Company’s usually use this type of briefs to promote competition by giving out the brief to
clients so they are clear on what they need to do to enter and compete in the competition. There
are many attributing factors that come in to play when creating a competition brief such as the
scope of work, size of purchase (competition details), target audience and how to attract the
audience, quantities and siting.
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An example of a competition brief:
Details about the
competition.
Deadline of the
competition,
eligibility and
how the winner
will be chosen.
The prize of the competition.
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Another example of a competition brief:
Details and
info about
the
competition
and
submission:
Prizes for the winner
and runner up and how
the winner(s) will be
List of items chosen.
needed to be
submitted.
Schedule and deadlines
of different events in
the competition.
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