The Year Ahead: Pre-Production, Dissertation And Major Project

The Year Ahead: Pre-production, Dissertation And Major Project

Today was our introduction to our 3rd Year structure and projects.

The first unit we will be tackling this year is Pre-production.

Before we begin this unit there are important things to remember and consider.

• The research will be the key to success, everything you produce should be based on lengthy and detailed analysis.
• Tutorials should be made the most of and you should discuss everything on your mind, and think about what you really want.
• Peer support will be a huge help and you should make the most of the advice from others.
• This year will be very self-motivated and independent so organising yourself is immensely important. 
• Think about what you want to gain from this year (not just a degree, but personal goals as well).

As with your pre-production unit research will be the key to success

You should make the most of tutorials, and drafts, coming prepared with example work and questions to ask.

Later in the year, you will move on to your major project where you will specialise in your chosen area (although there may be some overlapping) and chosen genre.

Pre-production is the first unit this year and it is entirely up to you what shape it takes. 

• The Pre-production unit will have two distinct choices for you to explore. 
• It can be individual or small group based.
• It will be largely self-directed but with tutorial support throughout.

The first option for the Pre-Production unit is the "Professional Pre-Production" choice.

• This would be a large scale production aimed at competing with what's currently on the market.
• It would be made up of a "package" that communicates your idea to a broadcast commissioner (but you will not actually be making the production). 
• It is hypothetical in basis so is not limited by budget, access, time, etc.
• It can be any genre and format you wish but should be based on your personal interests for best results.

The second choice is "Major Project Film Pre-Production"

• It will consist of detailed pre-production paperwork.
• It can be any genre and format you wish but should be achievable within the time frame and budget that you have.
• It should be a maximum of 20 minutes in length. 
• It should contain everything you need to turn this project in to a full short film later in the year. 

As part of this unit, you may also consider writing/planning a draft screenplay for a TV series that you would then fully write up later in the year. 

The minimum requirements to be included in a  hypothetical "Professional Pre-Production" choice should be:

• The idea
• The synopsis and pitch
• The platform (including research into genre and format)
• The audience (including research into target audience)

Everything else is choice based, it is up to you what you decide to include e.g. cast, locations, production company, budget etc.

All research for this project should be clear in your presentation and also be mirrored in your blog.