The Arc of Production: A Producer’s Practical Guide to Organizing and Executing Media Projects
Concept
- Ideas can be generated internally or externally to the organization.
- Ideas have a high mortality rate – that is, many never are started, or completed, for a variety of practical reasons.
- Ideas should be considered in relation to the main goal, and the audience for the message.
Research
- What has been done? Know the market for the type of project you are considering.
- What is the vital content?
- Are there creative, practical, technical, or logistical considerations?
(time, money, talent)
Organization
- A producer has two thought paths to reconcile: practical and creative.
- Creatively, you are developing relevant content into a format or script that conveys your message to the audience.
- You need to visualize the end product.
- Practically, you must consider costs, legal issues (copyright/talent releases), and other nuts and bolts of practical detail.
Production
- Image acquisition: stills, graphic design, video
- Audio recording and mixing
- Editing, authoring, fixing in final form
Distribution
- What media form works best to reach your audience? Perhaps more than one?
- Does the final project stay true to the original goal? Projects do evolve over the course of development.
- Can you link the final project to the original concept and have you allowed for feedback? Keep in mind that it is best to have a project leader and limits on revisions.
