Unit 8.2 - Understand a specific Creative Media project life cycle

2.1 Describe the stages of a specific Creative Media project life cycle

Okay, here we go – The Creative Media project life cycle that I’m going to talk about is Film. During my time on the Apprenticeship scheme I’ve seen the companies film in the development stages, this is the period where script changes aren’t uncommon and for me to start looking into filming locations, area’s and office space, while I was doing these tasks the tree grows more branches. I found that many area’s could affect vital parts of the film such as aircraft noise, parking charges and also council costs for filming these are big deciding factors among other things. This was also the time when we started looking casting and also looking for production crew. During Development we then hired our Line Producer and First AD. We then had the Producer conduct interviews for other positions, as well as the First AD and Director.

The next stage was Pre Production this was where we moved into our Production Office up in Victoria; during the first week it was a matter of ordering further supplies and starting to conduct recces. By now we had most our cast and had our costume designer and make up artists liaise with the talent on their costume and makeup.
Art Department were also working hard at acquiring props and ‘dressing’ confirmed locations that were to be used at the start of the shoot. As all our Production Team was getting on with their tasks, such as printing scripts, helping source props, locations, camera, lighting and generators (and as you can imagine, an awful lot more!) by this point Principle Photography wasn’t far away.

Production has only just started, so I’ll keep this updated as the shoot goes on!


2.2 Explain and justify resources required for a specific project

Well this question could seem quite self-explanatory, but funnily enough it isn’t just a camera you need!
When I joined Cyclops Vision in July I wasn’t sure what to expect in terms of what we needed for a specific project. This whole process revolves around one thing – THE BUDGET, nothing could be done, at least not correctly if this was not followed. The budget allows the Producers to know what they have to spend on each department,
Director – Cast – Production Crew – Art Department – Make Up and Hair – Location Managers – Props – Procurements (Purchases) – Camera – Lights and Action!
I’m sure there is something I’ve missed out here, but so far I’ve come across these outgoings and the knowledge of how important it is to stick to the designated budget, as if you go spending more on a certain area most likely you will have to cut back in others (Vicious cycle!).

Camera and Lighting a key area of resources required for a film production project, and not just these there are also costs associated with what format your shooting in, aswell as different lens’s, dollies and so on.

Production Crew are a big money eater, due to the vast amount of staff that you have under this branch, runners, production assistants, production coordinator/s, production managers, AD’s and even more such as drivers. Despite the expenses in these members of a specific project, they are core and keep production running smoothly and in the long term can keep the project from going over it’s schedule, which obviously saves a lot of money.